‘An intriguing exploration of withdrawal and solitude’ Daily Telegraph 

‘Stagg writes masterfully’ The Times

What do we gain and what do we lose when we step back from the world? 

Guy Stagg follows in the footsteps of three extraordinary twentieth-century figures who withdrew during moments of crisis: Ludwig Wittgenstein, David Jones and Simone Weil. 

Blending history, travel, biography and a moving personal story, The World Within examines how retreat can save a life or transform a creative practice. It asks why the idea of retreat still enchants people to this day and hints at how each one of us can find a sanctuary of our own.

‘Stagg writes well and brightly about all he encounters’ Observer

‘A readable book that looks at how three people tried to live at the extreme edge of the human spirit’ Literary Review

‘Remarkable . . . Stagg, too, is on a journey, which is what makes his books so attractive and accessible’ The Tablet

‘In an age riddled with noise and distraction, The World Within feels timely. It reminds us that silence and solitude are vital for self-discovery’ Press Association