The Conquest of Happiness

The other reviewers have done a fine job reviewing the book, and I'd just like to emphasize a few points. 1. Although a few of the references are dated because the book was written in 1930, all of the ideas are still perfectly relevant. 2. This is not a book of formal philosophy; more of introspection. Of course Russel introspected with the same brilliant and critical mind that he used to contribute to mathematics and philosophy... Read Full Review

Iam in my late twenties and am of a somewhat introspective nature. I had struggled for a time to find what really made me happy and had come to the conclusion that it was taking interest in people and my work amongst other things. I started reading this book and was absolutely enthralled that someone had put into words so beautifully some of the thoughts I had been fumbling towards. I read the entire book in the first sitting... Read Full Review

I had been a long-time reader and admirer of Bertrand Russell but had not heard of this book until recently. Because I'd been going through some trying times personally, I ordered this book for its practical benefits, rather than as an exercise in philosophical discourse. I was not disappointed. This book was written over 70 years ago, but its message is profoundly relevant. In the entire book, there might have been three... Read Full Review

Russell makes a departure from philosophy with this work, which is really more akin to bibliotherapy. In various chapters, he discusses all kinds of things that make people both unhappy (e.g., competition, boredom, fatigue) and happy (e.g., affection, family, work). His focus is really on what we can do to be happy on a consistent basis; he's not looking for a temporary fix.Perhaps his 'philosophy of happiness' can best... Read Full Review

In this book Bertrand Russell writes about things that cause unhappiness and--as the author himself explains--having no outside cause, are all the more distressing since they seem to have no solution. Russell proposes answers for the everyday happiness that every human being is bound to suffer. His chapters include Envy (the greatest of human passions, according to him), Persecution Mania (a VERY interesting chapter), Family,... Read Full Review