Hollis is a wise and experienced Jungian counselor who gives a very readable account (though he makes you work!) of some fundamental psychological issues facing most of us. His book 'The Eden Project - in Search of the Magical Other' gives a very insightful look into the grand illusion we all face in seeking happiness in someone else. 'What Matters Most' does a similar job in addressing the most pressing issues we face in the second half of life: Facing our fears, dealign with life force, facing death. My two problems with the book: being a Jungian he assumes the existence of the psyche (sometimes referring to it as 'the gods') but does not make a convincing enough case for me as to whether this belief is supportable, or why it should in fact drive our behaviour/mental health. When you read materialist psychologists and neuro-biologists (such as Steven Pinker) you may find Hollis less convincing. Second, Hollis is a bit too self-indulgent with his own writing style - he uses obscure metaphors and vocabulary to the point of annoyance. Still, in the final analysis he does provoke one to consider what matters most in the remaining days of one's life.