lia_12's review against another edition
3.0
This book was recommended to me by a friend who really loves self-help books. Personally, I've never really read self-help books and don't have much of an interest in them. I was also skeptical when I saw when the book was published. I mean, what could this old guy from 1930 know about modern troubles and causes of unhappiness?
But, I have to say, after reading this book, I've been pleasantly surprised. If you can get past the sexism and racism (which was a bit difficult sometimes, and I felt like just closing the book and never opening it again), the book is actually pretty insightful and helpful. His analogies and examples of the problems that cause unhappiness really provide a clear outlook and convey his message nicely. I found myself guilty of some of the causes of unhappiness, especially jealousy, which I struggle with, anyway.
The points he noted for reaching happiness actually spoke to me, especially since I worked on some of these problems in myself a few years ago, and have notably become happier. I can definitely vouch for this book, but my only complaint was the sexism and racism. But, of course, this does come with reading a book from 1930, since times were different then, and the generally accepted beliefs were wildly different from the currently accepted beliefs.
But, I have to say, after reading this book, I've been pleasantly surprised. If you can get past the sexism and racism (which was a bit difficult sometimes, and I felt like just closing the book and never opening it again), the book is actually pretty insightful and helpful. His analogies and examples of the problems that cause unhappiness really provide a clear outlook and convey his message nicely. I found myself guilty of some of the causes of unhappiness, especially jealousy, which I struggle with, anyway.
The points he noted for reaching happiness actually spoke to me, especially since I worked on some of these problems in myself a few years ago, and have notably become happier. I can definitely vouch for this book, but my only complaint was the sexism and racism. But, of course, this does come with reading a book from 1930, since times were different then, and the generally accepted beliefs were wildly different from the currently accepted beliefs.
malaysia's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
supdankosmos's review against another edition
5.0
Truth, however, is not always interesting, and many things are believed because they are interesting.
This is my first Russell and I'm not disappointed.
Love love love this book!
This book is divided into two section, the first one is the causes of unhappiness and the second one is on how to find happiness. Reading this book makes happiness looks so simple. Russell taught me a lot of things, from not expecting much on life to raising a child.
According to Russell, these are the commonest things that causes happiness and unhappiness :
- Simple things that causes happiness : food and shelter, health, love, successful work and the respect of one's own herd.
- Commonest causes of unhappiness : Fear, envy, the sense of sin, self-pity, and self admiration
Highly recommended!
- - - - -
Fear is the principal reason why men are so unwilling to admit fact and so anxious to wrap themselves round in a warm garment of myth.
Each of us is in the world for no very long time, and within the few years of his life has to acquire whatever he is to know of this strange planet and its place in the universe. To ignore our opportunities for knowledge, imperfect as they are, is like going to the theater and not listening to the play. The world is full of things that are tragic or comic, heroic or bizarre or surprising, and those who fail to be interested in the spectacle that it offers are forgoing one of the privileges that life has to offer.
This is my first Russell and I'm not disappointed.
Love love love this book!
This book is divided into two section, the first one is the causes of unhappiness and the second one is on how to find happiness. Reading this book makes happiness looks so simple. Russell taught me a lot of things, from not expecting much on life to raising a child.
According to Russell, these are the commonest things that causes happiness and unhappiness :
- Simple things that causes happiness : food and shelter, health, love, successful work and the respect of one's own herd.
- Commonest causes of unhappiness : Fear, envy, the sense of sin, self-pity, and self admiration
Highly recommended!
- - - - -
Fear is the principal reason why men are so unwilling to admit fact and so anxious to wrap themselves round in a warm garment of myth.
Each of us is in the world for no very long time, and within the few years of his life has to acquire whatever he is to know of this strange planet and its place in the universe. To ignore our opportunities for knowledge, imperfect as they are, is like going to the theater and not listening to the play. The world is full of things that are tragic or comic, heroic or bizarre or surprising, and those who fail to be interested in the spectacle that it offers are forgoing one of the privileges that life has to offer.
islomar's review against another edition
5.0
It's amazing how most of the content of this 90 years old essay still applies nowadays.
After reading it, I can only keeping on admiring Bertrand Russell (who I'm pretty sure contained a Buddhist deep down :-) ).
After reading it, I can only keeping on admiring Bertrand Russell (who I'm pretty sure contained a Buddhist deep down :-) ).
alfyasmeen's review against another edition
5.0
I had my doubts: how can a privileged white, male philosopher tell me, a modern-day female minority about the conquest of happiness via a book that was written before my dad was born? How could we possibly have anything in common? Color me surprised. It's striking how relevant his writing is, to our society today.
I started reading this book after a stressful year in my life where I got too caught up with feelings of anxiety and lack of achievement despite working hard most days. I will not go through the gory details because I doubt they will be relatable or useful to anyone, but nothing that I did or read during that year helped till this book arrived. I needed a "why", and this book gave me an answer to that, and to "how".
Keep in mind that this book is not going to be helpful to anyone who suffers from real tragedy or grief, it's simply meant to be used as a framework to understanding why you are unhappy despite having a semi-comfortable life. Which I think applies to most people who are capable of reading for leisure. Russell starts out with declaring that most of your unhappiness stems from a preoccupation with yourself and a lack of genuine interest with the external objects. The book is divided into two main parts: Causes of unhappiness, and causes of happiness. I found the first part to be most insightful because I suffered from every, single, cause, that he mentioned, to some degree.
CAUSES OF UNHAPPINESS
1. Byronic Unhappiness: I frequently attributed some of my sorrows to how devastatingly bad and evil the world can be.
2. Competition: Competitive success is too dearly purchased if you sacrifice all other ingredients to happiness in order to obtain it. It's also damaging in the sense that success should not be represented as the purpose of life, since after obtaining it, you're bound to fall prey to boredom and listlessness because you do not know what to do with it... so you occupy yourself with making more success. It's a harmful cycle.
3. Boredom and Excitement: It's true that we are less bored than our ancestors were, but we are more terrified of being bored. A life full of excitement is not to be desired since it is exhausting and a certain amount of boredom and inactivity is required in order for you to be able to achieve the important things in your life. No great achievement is possible without persistent work. "A certain power of enduring boredom is essential to a happy life".
4. Fatigue: Probably my favorite chapter in the book. I highlighted all of it.
5. Envy.
6. The Sense of Sin: Speaks about what it really means to have your conscience prick you.
7. Persecution Mania: It's very easy to fall prey to this mania in a world where you see people getting ahead not based on merit alone, and when you are too preoccupied with yourself.
8. Fear of Public Opinion: "One should as a rule respect public opinion in so far as is necessary to avoid starvation and keep out prison, but anything that goes beyond this is voluntary submission to an unnecessary tyranny." I found this chapter incredibly insightful.
I cannot believe how underrated this book is. I mean, it is true, that it's speckled with classist remarks and an abundance of gender stereotypes/roles; but it was the 1930's... it's quite remarkable - and depressing - how close it is Saudi Arabia's 2017. But, please, do not dismiss this book because of it.
Recommended.
I started reading this book after a stressful year in my life where I got too caught up with feelings of anxiety and lack of achievement despite working hard most days. I will not go through the gory details because I doubt they will be relatable or useful to anyone, but nothing that I did or read during that year helped till this book arrived. I needed a "why", and this book gave me an answer to that, and to "how".
Keep in mind that this book is not going to be helpful to anyone who suffers from real tragedy or grief, it's simply meant to be used as a framework to understanding why you are unhappy despite having a semi-comfortable life. Which I think applies to most people who are capable of reading for leisure. Russell starts out with declaring that most of your unhappiness stems from a preoccupation with yourself and a lack of genuine interest with the external objects. The book is divided into two main parts: Causes of unhappiness, and causes of happiness. I found the first part to be most insightful because I suffered from every, single, cause, that he mentioned, to some degree.
CAUSES OF UNHAPPINESS
1. Byronic Unhappiness: I frequently attributed some of my sorrows to how devastatingly bad and evil the world can be.
2. Competition: Competitive success is too dearly purchased if you sacrifice all other ingredients to happiness in order to obtain it. It's also damaging in the sense that success should not be represented as the purpose of life, since after obtaining it, you're bound to fall prey to boredom and listlessness because you do not know what to do with it... so you occupy yourself with making more success. It's a harmful cycle.
3. Boredom and Excitement: It's true that we are less bored than our ancestors were, but we are more terrified of being bored. A life full of excitement is not to be desired since it is exhausting and a certain amount of boredom and inactivity is required in order for you to be able to achieve the important things in your life. No great achievement is possible without persistent work. "A certain power of enduring boredom is essential to a happy life".
4. Fatigue: Probably my favorite chapter in the book. I highlighted all of it.
5. Envy.
6. The Sense of Sin: Speaks about what it really means to have your conscience prick you.
7. Persecution Mania: It's very easy to fall prey to this mania in a world where you see people getting ahead not based on merit alone, and when you are too preoccupied with yourself.
8. Fear of Public Opinion: "One should as a rule respect public opinion in so far as is necessary to avoid starvation and keep out prison, but anything that goes beyond this is voluntary submission to an unnecessary tyranny." I found this chapter incredibly insightful.
I cannot believe how underrated this book is. I mean, it is true, that it's speckled with classist remarks and an abundance of gender stereotypes/roles; but it was the 1930's... it's quite remarkable - and depressing - how close it is Saudi Arabia's 2017. But, please, do not dismiss this book because of it.
Recommended.
novromeda's review against another edition
3.0
Saggio carino e parzialmente interessante. La prima metà l’ho trovata esplicativa e ben scritta, mentre andando verso la fine ho notato che gli argomenti si andavano un po’ a ripetere e la lettura è diventata più banale e lenta.
Un libro del genere al suo tempo deve essere stato un capolavoro e ammiro molto l’autore poiché parla apertamente di temi ancora considerati taboo ai suoi tempi. Comunque sia attualmente non la ritengo una lettura completamente interessante perché alcune cose presentate sono abbastanza ovvie, ciò non toglie l’infinità attualità di questo titolo che penso non si affievolirà mai.
Un libro del genere al suo tempo deve essere stato un capolavoro e ammiro molto l’autore poiché parla apertamente di temi ancora considerati taboo ai suoi tempi. Comunque sia attualmente non la ritengo una lettura completamente interessante perché alcune cose presentate sono abbastanza ovvie, ciò non toglie l’infinità attualità di questo titolo che penso non si affievolirà mai.
rhiannatherad's review against another edition
5.0
"All disenchantment is to me a malady." (159)
"The happy life is to an extraordinary extent the same as the good life." (247)
"The happy life is to an extraordinary extent the same as the good life." (247)
kregbrb's review against another edition
5.0
Surprisingly, this short philosophical treatis turned out to be one if not the best self-help book I've ever read. Packed with gems of insight traversing from the causes of unhappiness to the life of happy man, the book solidifies the ideal life as that of a life lived for others but still bounded by one's egoless pursuit of achievement, and the conscious managing of work, family, and external interests.
jilianh's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
2.0
I really, really wanted to like this book.
I think part of the problem is that in general, I do not like self help books. I thought this one may be different because it is a classic, and it came highly recommended to me. Unfortunately, it was not the exception. It lost my interest part way through and I almost DNF’d it.
I also want to note that I tried very hard to keep in mind the age of this book to read past the racism (savages, chinamen, weird bit about the whites specifically declining), misogyny (the book club, the resentment of women towards those more attractive, the parenting chapter..), and other signs of the times. There are definitely some points that withstood the test of time, but there were also some that just felt dated or irrelevant.
My biggest gripe with this book was the contradictions or hypocrisy that I felt was littered throughout. The author would make a point, then later on slightly alter the point, and almost say the opposite. This muddied the intentions and made me leave the book wondering- “wait, what exactly does he think we need for happiness?” Obviously there were a few points with clarity, but there were equally as many left hazy by the end, or that just felt fairly common sense generic to me.
The chapter about parenting basically emphasizes how important it is to have kids and pass along your genetics to feel happy and fulfilled (I guess infertility was not a consideration at this time), and how women who now have known work outside the home will essentially resent being a mother and what her kids take away from her… Then later he agrees that women having a role more like fathers who can have a job outside of a homemaker is good? Or the chapter talking about the women’s book club, which happens shortly after a section that rejects caving to societal norms just to fit in. The author basically judges their book taste for not being great works of literature, and says the books they are reading is mediocre and just to fit in. Wouldn’t reading “great works” just to fit in be equally as bad? What if I get genuine enjoyment from books that are merely entertainment? Should I reject them and read traditional literature to appease the author for what he believes will make me happy?
I liked the emphasis on looking outward from self to appreciate the world around us, to balance receiving and giving affection, to not be driven by our desire to fit in/ appear a certain way to others, that creation will lead to more happiness and satisfaction long term than destruction, living a quiet life, and I respect the author’s opinion on his children leading to great happiness for him… The final chapter/conclusion is good, and overall there are certainly a lot of points I see merit in even for the flaws of the book.
However, overall I still don’t feel like I got any great insight that I have not already thought of or talked about myself, I feel there wasn’t really any new takeaways for me.
zannah's review against another edition
challenging
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
I had to work really hard to keep it in mind that this book is 90 years old. I found it very frustrating to read the outdated parts, some of them felt really besides the point. There are some solid truths and beautiful metaphors in here that I’m glad I read but oh my god, I could have done without all the “women are like this and men are like this” analysis, the paragraphs on the declining population of the white races (??!?!!!????), and the lamenting of “the servant problem”. Like. Oh my god