Nick Baylis

I was intrigued by this book's title, and I wasn't disappointed. It is, indeed, a rough guide to happiness, but a good, clear guide. I like that the author doesn't endorse anything he hasn't tried or experienced himself. I realized as I read that I had already adopted many of the suggestions within, and this book was the pat on the back I needed to tell me, "Yeah, you're doing all right!" I can't say that I learned anything new, but it helps to be reminded of things from time to time: for example, gently encouraging our subconsious to give us answers. Above all else, I value the author's suggestion that we explore the lessons and literature of our human past but, in the end, to decide for ourselves what happiness is.… (meer)

I have read seriously in the subject of happiness. A lot of important stuff is coming out of positive psychology. So I asked for this book in the Early Reviewers program. It took forever to get to me, but I set aside my other reading and devoured a few pages. That devouring turned sour, though, when the author indulged in seemingly endless self-congratulation and in denigration of other authorities. I set it aside and never returned to it, though I would actually like to see what he has to say.

It promised to be a light weight work and proved to be the straw that ... I am no longer in the early reviewers program.… (meer)