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The Geography of Bliss Paperback – January 5, 2009
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Are people in Switzerland happier because it is the most democratic country in the world? Do citizens of Qatar, awash in petrodollars, find joy in all that cash? Is the King of Bhutan a visionary for his initiative to calculate Gross National Happiness? Why is Asheville, North Carolina so damn happy?
In a unique mix of travel, psychology, science and humor, Eric Weiner answers those questions and many others, offering travelers of all moods some interesting new ideas for sunnier destinations and dispositions.
- Print length345 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateJanuary 5, 2009
- Dimensions5.25 x 0.92 x 8 inches
- ISBN-10044669889X
- ISBN-13978-0446698894
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Editorial Reviews
Review
―Henry Alford, author of Municipal Bondage and Big Kiss
"Part travelogue, part personal-discovery memoir and all sustained delight, this wise, witty ramble reads like Paul Theroux channeling David Sedaris on a particularly good day..... Fresh and beguiling."
―Kirkus Reviews
"Laugh. Think. Repeat. Repeatedly. If someone told me this book was this good, I wouldn't have believed them."―Po Bronson, author of What Should I Do With My Life?
"Think Don Quixote with a dark sense of humor and a taste for hashish and you begin to grasp Eric Weiner, the modern knight-errant of this mad, sad, wise, and witty quest across four continents. I won't spoil the fun by telling if his mission succeeds, except to say that happiness is reading a book as entertaining as this."―Tony Horwitz, author of Confederates in the Attic
About the Author
Read more about Eric Weiner at www.ericweinerbooks.com.
Product details
- Publisher : Twelve; Reprint edition (January 5, 2009)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 345 pages
- ISBN-10 : 044669889X
- ISBN-13 : 978-0446698894
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Dimensions : 5.25 x 0.92 x 8 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #53,529 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #75 in Travel Writing Reference
- #129 in Travelogues & Travel Essays
- #869 in Happiness Self-Help
- Customer Reviews:
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About the author
Eric Weiner is author of the New York Times bestsellers The Geography of Bliss and The Geography of Genius, as well as the critically acclaimed Man Seeks God and, his latest book, The Socrates Express: In Search of Life Lessons from Dead Philosophers. A former foreign correspondent for NPR, he has reported from more than three dozen countries. His work has appeared in the New Republic, The Atlantic, National Geographic, The Wall Street Journal, and the anthology "Best American Travel Writing." He lives in Silver Spring, MD with his wife and daughter. For more information, visit: www.ericweinerbooks.com
Customer reviews
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To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the content insightful, original, and fun to read. They also appreciate the humor and writing style that keep them engaged. Readers describe the book as well-written and easy to relate to. However, some find the entertainment value boring.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book insightful, clever, and entertaining. They also say it expands their knowledge of geography, effortlessly draws on impressive erudition, and has a light touch belied thoughtful observations and comments. Customers also mention that the book has s healthy balance of comparative feelings.
"...Along the way, he effortlessly draws on an impressive erudition as he seamlessly weaves in insights not only from the "science" of happiness, but..." Read more
"...It's rather awakening and particularly fascinating as you travel from country to country diving into areas outside of tourism and into the heart of..." Read more
"...Light-hearted and clever, while still being introspective and honest with himself, the author did a good job without being judgmental about the..." Read more
"...The author has an amazing ability to blend his thought processes with his actual findings, thus creating a more insightful and personal chronicle...." Read more
Customers find the book light-hearted and clever, with a pointed wit that is not overused. They also say the writing style is fun and light-headed, with valuable insight into history.
"...Weiner unfolds a richly enlightening and entertaining tapestry which is not to be missed and goes beyond anything which can be adequately..." Read more
"...Light-hearted and clever, while still being introspective and honest with himself, the author did a good job without being judgmental about the..." Read more
"...But, according to Weiner, in this amusing and insightful book, life is never full of joy even in locales famous for happiness...." Read more
"...It has good reviews for the jokes included but I can't help but fill most of the sexual jokes just give off creepy or tone deaf vibes...." Read more
Customers find the book well-written, easy to read, and relaxed. They also appreciate the journalistic flair, ability to recreate dialogue, and depict the personal face of the author. Readers say the book is informative, in-depth, and insightful with explanations of his experiences. They mention the author is honest with himself and tells a good story.
"...audiobook, and I found it to be a perfect format for this book, narrated flawlessly and sincerely by Weiner himself...." Read more
"...Light-hearted and clever, while still being introspective and honest with himself, the author did a good job without being judgmental about the..." Read more
"...That, combined with his ability to recreate the dialogue and depict the personal face of those he interviews, makes this a book to savor for those..." Read more
"...go on and on, but will not; see for yourself; this book is so hilariously well-written, that it can induce the very state it is trying to define, in..." Read more
Customers find the travelogue in the book great, but boring.
"...Also a great read for anyone traveling to the places the author went to!" Read more
"Hilarious and so true! perfect for travellers who would like insight into the people and cultures of the happiest and saddest people in the world" Read more
"...I realized that i can be very happy, reading good books, travelling and enjoying people." Read more
"...Makes you travel the world and better understand people and societies." Read more
Customers are mixed about the pacing of the book. Some mention it's fast, while others say it'll drag on too long.
"The book was a fun read for a book club - easy and fast...." Read more
"...My only gripe is that some chapters (countries) dragged on too long." Read more
"...Weiner's book is a quick and enjoyable read...." Read more
"Starts a little slow.Hated to see it end.Very entertaining." Read more
Customers find the book boring, with poor commentary on the actual happiness of various locations. They also say the man is sad and pathetic.
"This is easily the worst book I have read in the last five years...." Read more
"...Wiener's end result though, is disappointing and strangely depressing...." Read more
"...It's rather awakening and particularly fascinating as you travel from country to country diving into areas outside of tourism and into the heart of..." Read more
"...What a sad, pathetic man! But would you expect anything less than this from a contributor to NPR?..." Read more
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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).
Being that the author had worked for NPR, I was a tad bit skeptical about how funny and witty it would really be, despite the reviews. When I have listened to NPR in the past I have had to be in a very tolerant mood to listen to pseudo intellectuals who take themselves way to seriously, but might have a point to make about some topic, but haven't a clue about the real lives of people, anywhere, particularly this country. Most often this "opportunity" has presented itself, while taking a long road trip up I-81 through Appalachia and the only radio stations with a strong enough signal to get through were either NPR or an evangelical preacher. I know, it is sometimes hard to tell the difference, but NPR tends to play more classical music, which I like, and in that particular region, some bluegrass too, which I enjoy, if it doesn't have too much commentary by Johnny-Come-Lately experts who probably grew up somewhere in Greenwich, CT.
The author got my attention and tickled my funny bone immediately and the only thing I regretted was not having downloaded the whole thing, so I would have not finished before the flight was over. As soon as the plane's wheels hit the ground, I downloaded the whole thing and have continued to read it, when I have had time. I just finished it last night. It did not disappoint.
It is just what the doctor ordered at a time in my life, when all the "forces of evil" from our demagoguing politicians to trying to run a legitimate business in a climate of kleptocracy, in addition to having to deal with the life and death decisions one has to make as caretaker for our elderly parents.
Light-hearted and clever, while still being introspective and honest with himself, the author did a good job without being judgmental about the different paths people take in their fleeting search or non-search for happiness or in the case of Moldovians, unhappiness.
Top reviews from other countries
I received a copy this morning and have already read a good portion of it. Definitely recommend for others to read this book.
help a lot to make it sustainable.