PENGUIN Happy: Why More or Less Everything is Absolutely Fine

Fantastic book packed with practical advice.

I had no doubt that the job would be once again, of quality, I was not mistaken. A big work for such a good summary about happyness and fear od dead. Thank you for the work you have done. I dont' know how much time you saved me, but certainly a lot !! Ther is no need to read books about philosophers, the job has been done in this book: happy.

Ottima scelta e lettura

There is nothing earth shattering in this book but definitely worth your time. Well written and Darren is an important voice!

Frankly I think this is one of the best and most important books I’ve ever read. And I expect to read it, and particularly some chapters of it, time and time again. A deep whilst witty, entertaining and thought provoking read. I can speak highly enough of it. It’s not a self help book (DB is quite critical of their “flatulent bubbles of self help advice”). But. If you read it you can take many things from it to help yourself. The first few chapters may be hard going for some, but having had the wonderful experience of three months of CBT where I learnt a huge about about the theory and practice it was simple fascinating, and I am sure could be a great introduction for all. It’s a wonderful tour of the history of CBT and psychological health from the age of the Stoics and Epicureans right through the most modern psychological and neurological research. But told in Derren Brown’s engaging and sometimes humorous voice (even better so if you mix the kindle book with the accompanying audiobook read by DB also) it’s a genuine pleasure to listen to or read. Along the way he pores scorn (rightly) on a number of industries and practices whether it be taking apart the evils of the faith healing industry or parasitic and frankly nasty works such as Rhonda Byrne’s “The Secret”.... The chapters however which I found most powerful, and ones I’ve not seen or heard such helpful, insightful or thoughtful considerations about are the ones on death. Surprisingly I found these immensely positive and life affirming, as indeed I did the entire book. So many thought and quotes from this book will stick with me. Whether it is the fascinating thought experiments. Or the quotes... Be they from the likes of great philosophers such as Marcus Aurelius, David Foster Wallace, or Mike Skinner from The Streets (!) DB has a knack for making things relevant, understandable, and more importantly provoking me (the reader) to consider and apply them in my own life. * Mike Skinner from “Never Went To Church” (on fact that he has nothing to remind him on his late father and that his memory of him is slipping away - “I guess then you did lead me something to remind me of you, every time I interrupt someone like you used to, when I do something like you, you’ll be on my mind or through, because I forgot you left me behind to remind me of you” * “He who is not satisfied with a little is satisfied with nothing” Epicurus * David Foster Wallace “you will become far less concerned as to what people think of you when you reialise how rarely they do” * Derren Brown “I’d rather cut off my balls with bacon scissors rather than host a dinner party” * Lipsius (paraphrased) “flies don’t stay long on nice things but the little beggars sit on poo for ages, as so the murmuring mind passes quickly over the nice but also dwells on the poo and augments it” * Epictetus: “Only try to change the things you can control - under our control are our thoughts and actions, not under our control is everything else” “Remind yourself that what you love is mortal, that what you love is not your own it is granted to you for the present while, and not irrevocably and not forever, like a fig or bunch of grapes in the appointed season, and if you long for it in the winter you are a fool. Instead bring to mind the contrary impression. What harm is there to tell your child whilst you are kissing them tomorrow you will die, likewise to your friend, tomorrow either you or I will go away tomorrow and never see each other again”