This timely exploration of our history of welcoming strangers offers a powerful, uplifting antidote to our increasingly atomised world.

What if meeting new people were a gift, not a burden? How might we transform our lives if we set aside our fear of outsiders? When Will Buckingham's partner died, the shock of his grief told him to withdraw. Instead, he sought solace in throwing open the door to new people; travelling the world - from Birmingham to Myanmar - seeking out stories of loneliness, exile and friendship, from classical times to the modern day. Drawing from his travels, as well as insights from philosophy, anthropology, history and literature, Hello, Stranger is a powerful antidote to loneliness and xenophobia, and a heart-warming story of the power of kindness and compassion.

"Following a personal tragedy, Will Buckingham propels himself out, alone, into the world, to explore what it means to be a stranger - the joys and pitfalls, the perennial truths. A glorious book, fabulously learned and funny, and filled with all manner of stirring stories" - Philip Marsden, author of The Summer Isles

"A treasure trove of all the possibilities strangers can be to each other. Read, learn and savour" - Madeleine Bunting, author of Labours of Love: The Crisis of Care

"Buckingham provides a map for others to follow, showing that when we show kindness to strangers, we may be entertaining angels unawares" - John Paul Flintoff, author of How to Change the World (School of Life)

"Humane and heart-warming" - Bookseller

"A moving memoir of finding solace" - Economist

"Very excellent" - BBC Radio 4 Saturday Live