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4.7 out of 5
93.33% of customers are satisfied
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World by Eric Weiner is a delightful and thought-provoking exploration of what makes people truly happy across different cultures.Narrative and Writing Style: Weiner’s writing is engaging, witty, and often humorous, making the book an enjoyable read from start to finish. His storytelling is rich with personal anecdotes, cultural observations, and sharp insights that keep you hooked throughout the journey.Content and Themes: The book takes readers on a global tour, examining the factors contributing to happiness in various countries. Weiner visits places known for their high levels of reported happiness, such as Bhutan, Iceland, and Switzerland, and contrasts these with locations where happiness seems more elusive. The blend of travelogue and psychology offers a comprehensive look at the concept of happiness from multiple perspectives.Personal Insights: Weiner’s exploration is both entertaining and enlightening. His candid reflections on his own quest for happiness, combined with his observations of different cultures, provide a nuanced understanding of what contributes to a joyful life. The book encourages readers to consider their own definitions of happiness and how cultural contexts influence our pursuit of it.Overall Experience: The Geography of Bliss is an insightful and enjoyable read that combines travel adventure with deep philosophical questions about happiness. It offers a refreshing perspective on how different cultures approach the concept of joy and satisfaction.In summary, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the science of happiness, cultural studies, or simply seeking an entertaining and reflective journey. Eric Weiner’s blend of humor, insight, and personal experience makes The Geography of Bliss a memorable and impactful read.
4.0 out of 5 stars The Geography of Bliss
Weiner has always been in search of elusive happiness. And his work as a journalist often took him to places that weren't so happy. So he decides to do a different kind of investigation, he wants to look at countries that are ranked high in happiness (and some that aren't) and determine what is going on there.In this book he recounts his visits to several countries, like Iceland, Bhutan, India, Moldova, and others. While there he talks to various people or visits sites to learn about their happiness and why they think they are as happy as they are (or aren't). He also partakes in some of the activities the countries are known for to judge his own happiness while at the locale.Overall, I think this is an interesting book. The choices he made to visit and the rationale behind them seem solid enough, and I enjoyed his descriptions. That being said though, they're just glimpses. I think in order to truly live or understand happiness at these places, it might take more than just a few weeks. It's still an engaging effort though.Interesting read and definitely not your normal travel book. Instead of fixating on sites and sights, it's more about the interaction with the people and their feelings.Review by M. Reynard 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars A Genuine Masterpiece!
If you're interested in the study of happiness, this book is for you. If you're interested in cultural geography, this book is also for you. And if you're interested in both of these subjects (like me), this book may very well be a dream come true for you, the kind of book you always wished someone would write, but doubted that it would happen.This is actually one of the very best books I've ever come across on ANY subject. Eric Weiner is a spellbinding storyteller who kept me on the edge of my seat as I listened to his tales of world travels in a quest to understand happiness. Along the way, he effortlessly draws on an impressive erudition as he seamlessly weaves in insights not only from the "science" of happiness, but also a diverse range of relevant philosophy (both Western and Eastern) and other disciplines. And last but not least, though he claims that he's unhappy and calls himself a grump, he's very likable, very witty, and VERY funny!While it would be great if Weiner could end the book by presenting a simple magic key to happiness, those of us who have already traveled similar roads ourselves know that such an expectation/hope is probably unrealistic. Instead, we learn (or are reminded) that the truth appears to be more subtle and complex. For example: (a) happiness isn't a "thing" we can capture (like money), and it's remarkably hard to pin down just what happiness actually is, (b) there appear to be many roads to happiness (whatever it is), both personally and culturally, and finding a road that suits you seems to be important, (c) happiness may be something that just happens to us, based on how we live our multifaceted lives, rather than something we can deliberately pursue (again, like money), and (d) our proper highest aims may be different from happiness or may transcend it, and seem to involve relationships and love.But don't let the above conclusions underwhelm you or steer you away from this book. Weiner unfolds a richly enlightening and entertaining tapestry which is not to be missed and goes beyond anything which can be adequately compressed into a summary, as is the case with all great literature. No, this book isn't an exhaustive or systematic study of either happiness or cultural geography, nor does it pretend to be, but it does offer a uniquely valuable contribution positioned at the intersection of these subjects.Finally, please note that I joined Weiner on this journey via the 12-hour unabridged audiobook, and I found it to be a perfect format for this book, narrated flawlessly and sincerely by Weiner himself. So I especially recommend the audiobook, though I plan to read the print version also (yes, this book is that good).
3.0 out of 5 stars Mixed Enjoyment
Interesting read, but I wish I had got the book from the library. It's not a book I need to own. Some of the chapters (one for each country the author focuses on) are fascinating, but I found in the chapter on Slough, a city near London best known for being the location of Heathrow International Airport, irritating. I know Britain well, and have passed through Slough frequently. As a result, the author's quips that were meant to be clever and funny came across to me as silly. It made me wonder if I would respond similarly to his essays on other countries if I had known more about them as well.
The book provides perspective!
Loved the writing style and the content of the book. Eric manages to communicate serious conversations in a humorous way and I feel instantly feel clicked with the ironies but end up smiling about it. I find the content of the book extremely relatable, to my own life as a researcher, traveler and as a yoga instructor. The book is written with a practical yet explorative mind-set and delusional advices are not thrown at the readers.I received a copy this morning and have already read a good portion of it. Definitely recommend for others to read this book.
A hilarious yet serious trip to happiness
I read his book 'The Geography of Genius' and now this precious book about a topic as complex as simple. At the end you will know that bliss is not in or out there, is everywhere and nowhere, and your community valueshelp a lot to make it sustainable.
Must read
Absolutely loved this book, it made me fall in love with non-fiction and also inspired me to travel to Bhutan. The premise of researching happiness is fascinating and the author writes extremely well balancing facts and opinions in an entertaining way. Highly reccommend for anyone who loves travel, psychology or culture.
Strange happiness and where to find it
Weiner describes with humour, in a critical, funny way, where he found happiness and where he found none. He does it with a clear, easy-to-read style, inviting the reader to go to all the different places he discovered and concluding that happiness is finally.... No, read better by yourself in the book! ;-)
Interesting
Found this so interesting and funny at times
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