- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: Basic Books; 2nd Revised edition edition (5 Dec 2006)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0465028020
- ISBN-13: 978-0465028023
- Product Dimensions: 20.4 x 13.6 x 2.1 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 296,882 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Review
"Library Journal," Best Books 2006
"With singular gusto, Haidt measures ten 'Great Ideas' against past/present research in psychology and science. "LJ" 's verdict: Dr. Phil et al. don't have diddly on the old-school sages. No man is an island, indeed, and no modern reader should be without this carefully considered demystification of life."
Darrin McMahon, "The Washington Post""
""[T]he psychologist Jonathan Haidt shows in his wonderfully smart and readable "The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom" [that] modern science and history have a lot to say to each other.""
"
"Nature"
"This is a delightful book... Haidt's writing embraces spiritual and mystical viewpoints while retaining scientific and rational coherence.""
""
Guardian "(London)
"[A] marvelous book...I don't think I've ever read a book that laid out the contemporary understanding of the human condition with such simple clarity and sense.""
""Psychology Today""Haidt's remedy for the modern glut of frivolous self-help literature is to review and revise the classics, examining the ideas of thinkers like Plato, Buddha and Jesus in light of modern research into human behavior. Along the way, Haidt, a social psychologist, provides practical advice for parenting, romance, work and coping with the political and cultural divisions currently preoccupying the country. The new science he outlines mostly confirms ancient wisdom, but Haidt finds several instances where the two disagree, suggesting that the surest path to happiness is to embrace and balance both old and new thinking.""
""Sunday Times "(London)
"This unusual book sets itself apart from the self-help category with its extensive scientific references, and intelligent, neutral prose, while the author's illuminating illustration of how the human mind works is both educational and refreshing.""
""The Philadelphia Inquirer""Haidt has served up a hearty dish of conventional wisdom, accompanied b
Arena
'Superbly argued, crystal clear and intelligent... And you know what? Reading it did actually make this reviewer happier.'
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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First Sentence
I FIRST RODE A HORSE in 1991, in Great Smoky National Park, North Carolina. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
I FIRST RODE A HORSE in 1991, in Great Smoky National Park, North Carolina. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
68 of 70 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This, in many ways, is the "self-help" book for people who don't read self-help books.
Its conclusions probably won't surprise anyone - the way to find happiness is mostly just what Socrates, Jesus, Buddha et al suggested - be nice to people, do a job that satisfies you, stop chasing after material wealth, etc.
All of which might lead you to think there's no point in reading it. But there is. Haidt is that rare beast, a serious academic who can write engagingly for the general (educated) readership. Somehow, seeing his synthesis of many, many areas of psychological research creates a real feeling of enlightenment, and I would be very surprised indeed at anyone who didn't find some serious "food for thought" within its pages.
Did reading it make me happier? Well, this is where I'm supposed to say "Well, no, but...", but - to my own surprise - the answer is actually "yes"! Just a little, but enough to justify making the book a "keeper".
Read it, and think about the way you live. Highly recommended.
Its conclusions probably won't surprise anyone - the way to find happiness is mostly just what Socrates, Jesus, Buddha et al suggested - be nice to people, do a job that satisfies you, stop chasing after material wealth, etc.
All of which might lead you to think there's no point in reading it. But there is. Haidt is that rare beast, a serious academic who can write engagingly for the general (educated) readership. Somehow, seeing his synthesis of many, many areas of psychological research creates a real feeling of enlightenment, and I would be very surprised indeed at anyone who didn't find some serious "food for thought" within its pages.
Did reading it make me happier? Well, this is where I'm supposed to say "Well, no, but...", but - to my own surprise - the answer is actually "yes"! Just a little, but enough to justify making the book a "keeper".
Read it, and think about the way you live. Highly recommended.
49 of 51 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This was my best non-fiction book of 2006. Haidt is an academic of genuine flair. In the Happiness Hypothesis he has produced for the general reader a synthesis of robust thinking and research around happiness. It is expressed in an accessible style, using some very simple metaphors to hold the reader's attention on key themes, as the author reviews the best of the philosophy, psychology and neurology of happiness.
To put it another way, this was accessible enough to read in bed, and robust enough to fill over 24 pages of references.
My only caveat, I thought the subtitle - 'Putting ancient wisdom and philosophy to the test of modern science' - did not get to the heart of the book. This makes it sound like a series of tests of famous aphorisms. In face, Haidt is primarily interested in evidence, but uses literary and philosophical sources to illustrate and enliven his science; to ask questions of it, and to keep an open mind. But then I think that's just good science.
To put it another way, this was accessible enough to read in bed, and robust enough to fill over 24 pages of references.
My only caveat, I thought the subtitle - 'Putting ancient wisdom and philosophy to the test of modern science' - did not get to the heart of the book. This makes it sound like a series of tests of famous aphorisms. In face, Haidt is primarily interested in evidence, but uses literary and philosophical sources to illustrate and enliven his science; to ask questions of it, and to keep an open mind. But then I think that's just good science.
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is an underrated masterpiece and should be proudly occupying all thinking persons' bookshelves. Haidt couldn't have written this book better, and he is most certainly to be commended for producing a guide to finding happiness which trumps all others.
His narrative meanders a most cerebrally scenic course via ancient philosophy, comparative religion, science and modern day psychology and literally tests the paradigms of happiness. Thus e.g. : Was Buddhism right to preach the renouncing of all material things? Or, just partly right? What part does gossip really play in our lives? What should the depressed do about their condition? What is the best way to find true happiness in your life, assuming such a thing can be found at all?
These and many other thought engaging questions are analysed with no stone unturned by a most gifted thinker. This reviewer cannot recommend this book more highly (and I normally can't be bothered with the so called "self help section"), buy it you must! A brilliant book. I am left wondering what Haidt will write about next.
His narrative meanders a most cerebrally scenic course via ancient philosophy, comparative religion, science and modern day psychology and literally tests the paradigms of happiness. Thus e.g. : Was Buddhism right to preach the renouncing of all material things? Or, just partly right? What part does gossip really play in our lives? What should the depressed do about their condition? What is the best way to find true happiness in your life, assuming such a thing can be found at all?
These and many other thought engaging questions are analysed with no stone unturned by a most gifted thinker. This reviewer cannot recommend this book more highly (and I normally can't be bothered with the so called "self help section"), buy it you must! A brilliant book. I am left wondering what Haidt will write about next.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Very thought provoking
I enjoyed this book and it made me think a great deal. I think the author has some odd views about Prozac, and I suspect his soft approach to religion (is there anything else in... Read more
Published 3 months ago by J. B. Bridge
Fantastic book
Buy this book - you will not be disappointed. An easy, enthralling and illuminating read full of brilliant insights. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Nelson
A very enjoyable read
9.50 / 10. A simple, but deep and effective book. Extremely interesting, covers many schools of thought that you may have encountered but in an ever so slightly different way that... Read more
Published 6 months ago by ReviewMan
Great intro to morality and happiness.
Starts of rather weakly but gets better - especially good on his own speciality: morality (but don't let that word put you off).
Published 7 months ago by Peter W. Burden
A bible for living happily!
This book opens the curtains of the mind revealing a way to live a better, happier life. The author talks sense, in understandable language and backed with scientific evidence from... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Mnemosynes
Good if you're religious
This is an interesting and well written book which perhaps made me feel slightly better, but I cannot give it as much praise as some other readers have. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Jim H
This is an excellent book
This book has made me feel so much better about myself. I now know I'm not a bad person just because I'm a grumpy guts sometimes and it's shown me ways to improve my outlook. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Julia C
A jolly romp through the ancient wisdom of happiness
I read this book on holiday. The author is a lecturer on psychology, but this is not a dry academic tome. Neither is it a lightweight self help book. It is somewhere in between. Read more
Published 20 months ago by John Williams
a systematic roadmap
Interesting, wide ranging and easy to read. He convincingly knits together many Eastern and Western threads and presents a systematic roadmap to happiness in individuals, groups... Read more
Published 21 months ago by George Clark
Great Book
A comprehensive and accessible review of the ature of happiness. Hugely enjoyable and applicable across so many situations
Published on 4 Jun 2010 by D. Cooper
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