But there is hope, and it can be found in a few simple yet timeless stories.

The great Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen succinctly illuminated life's challenges in his treasured fairy tales for children and adults. And now, the powerful lessons of these classic folk tales have been ingeniously applied to the complexities of the modern workplace.

In addition to the concise summaries and probing analysis of H C Andersen's tales, The Ugly Duckling Goes to Work includes the author's new translations of the full texts, which restore the humour and rich detail often muted in previous English translations. Simple but never simplistic, these insightful interpretations and translations of some of the most cherished stories ever written will help you look deeply at your life, laugh lightly at your flaws, and make the changes needed to build a more meaningful, joyful work life.