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Book Review: "The Geography of Bliss" by Eric Weiner
Add another page to the "Why Didn't I Think of That?" file.
The concept is so elegantly simple: take what is arguably the top two human aspirations - happiness and travel - combine them, then flesh out a book proposal. I bet that book deal was inked on the strength of the overview alone.
Thusly inspired, I'm already 2,000 words into my latest book proposal about Lamborghinis and orgasms, but I digress...
"The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World" (Twelve), a memoir/travelogue by Eric Weiner, beautifully blends the timeless search for happiness with an amusing on-the-ground examination of the dispositions of people in 10 of the most (and least) contented countries on Earth.
A confessed "mope", Weiner (coincidentally pronounced 'whiner' - ki ki ki!) admits straight off that he's a hard sell on happiness. You'd be too after two decades working as a foreign correspondent for National Public Radio, reporting on wars, disasters and the ancillary misery. Untold years of introspection, therapy and a metric ton of self-help books have yielded little progress and having recently entered the Heart Attack Years, he confesses that his happiness attainment optimism is flagging.
Stick around after the review to see how you can get your hands on a copy of the book for free, just in time for Christmas!His epic quest for bliss starts in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, where Weiner plunders an encyclopedic database of worldwide happiness levels, maintained by noted happiness researcher Professor Ruut Veenhoven. Conveniently, the Dutch make a good showing on the happiness index, what with their cycling, prostituting, soft drugging ways, so Weiner starts his research immediately by making a beeline for the nearest hash bar.
Though it was good hash (the Moroccan), it fell short of being the key to his happiness. So Weiner dons his journalist tights and cape and sets out on months of travel to happy places (Iceland, Switzerland, Bhutan, Thailand) and a few unhappy places (Moldova, Slough [U.K.]), where he conducts interviews to uncover what makes these people so happy/unhappy.
Weiner does an enviable job of balancing his travelogue with what must have been painstaking research, while maintaining a light and humorous tone. Two decades of jet setting journalism has put a finish on his writing style that is at once worldly and polished without becoming tedious or snobbish. His insight, careful consideration and occasional epiphanies show that while he may not have achieved everlasting happiness (yet), his exhaustive pursuit of it has made him extremely well-versed in the theory.
Does he find the key to bliss? Well, you're gonna have to buy the book. But I will offer that while reading this book, not only did I get a good read on my own happiness (which was unexpectedly high), but I also gleaned a rather surprising number of tips to making myself even more happy. Though I can tell you from personal experience that gleaning tips and utilizing tips are two very different things.
"The Geography of Bliss" is due out in hardcover in January of '08, exquisitely timed for when everyone's post-holiday letdown starts taking hold. Pre-order it for your favorite grumpy travel enthusiast now.
Want to win a copy? It's easy. Here's how:
- To enter, simply leave a comment below. Make sure to use a valid e-mail address, or else we'll have no way to contact you if you win!
- The comment must be left before Friday, December 7, 2007 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time.
- You may enter once.
- 5 winners will be selected in a random drawing.
- 5 winners will receive The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner (valued at $29.95).
- Click Here for complete Official Rules.
Filed under: Books
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 4)
Lori Dec 6th 2007 11:21AM
I could definitely use some bliss in my life - sign me up!!
Jim Dec 6th 2007 12:36PM
Since I listen to his reports on NPR, I am definitely looking forward to reading the book. Of course if you have money, you could find the happy place.
Chris Dec 6th 2007 11:25AM
Sounds like a great book! I'd love to have a copy to read during the holidays this year.
Jarod Dec 6th 2007 11:48AM
Great book idea, I'd love to win!
BB Dec 6th 2007 11:52AM
Happiness comes from within. It can be temporarily aided (or hindered) by location, but ultimately it's what inside that rules.
Danielle Dec 7th 2007 6:21AM
I love to read this book to find out if he really does find happiness. Maybe it's not found on the outside, but finally found on the inside.
Rita Dec 6th 2007 12:08PM
Personally, I'd enjoy the chance to test the theory that traveling adds to happiness. :)
craig beckerman Dec 7th 2007 5:34PM
this book would be an excellent gift for my partner for christmas we dont have any money for gifts this year for christmas because i cant find a job in a city where 25 people apply for a dog washer job {fort smith arkansas} her dream is to sell her house after the first of the year and travel the country so im sure this book might intrest her i would love to win it thanks
Timen Dec 6th 2007 12:41PM
I'm a happy person. I wonder if this book is therefore good for me?
Alice Dec 6th 2007 1:13PM
Yeah, another drawing!!
Anna Dec 6th 2007 1:51PM
Sounds like a very interesting read.
mung Dec 6th 2007 1:59PM
Enter me!
Paul D Dec 6th 2007 2:20PM
weeeee! I love books!
anna Dec 6th 2007 4:26PM
sounds like a good read
Scott Dec 6th 2007 4:15PM
Sounds interesting!
Debra Dec 6th 2007 3:25PM
Leif, you may have innocently divulged the "secret" to happiness in your review. With noting that the author achieved the "enviable job of balancing his travelogue with what must have been painstaking research, while maintaining a light and humorous tone," you've given direction to look to one's ability to choose how they perceive the event we call LIFE.
Matt Dec 6th 2007 3:42PM
Looks like an excellent book. Keep up the great work Gadling!
Derrick Dec 6th 2007 4:45PM
mmmmm book. my favorite.
kitty Dec 6th 2007 11:05PM
sounds like a good book
Emma Dec 7th 2007 12:22AM
I've been searching for an interesting book to read and this is scratching me right where I itch. Looking forward to the blissful read.