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The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World by Eric Weiner
theuncorkedlibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
If you like Bill Bryson, you will probably enjoy this book. Eric Weiner has the same sarcasm and sense of humor as Bryson; yet, he is slightly more academic. Whereas Bryson focuses on many issues and his works represent more of the travel diary genre, Weiner has one major theme: happiness and its pursuit.
melody9's review against another edition
3.0
It took me a while to get through this book, each chapter is a different country and I felt that time in between helped to digest the information. I enjoyed most parts of the book but I am left feeling that the last chapter and epilogue asked a question and let it hang there. I enjoyed his journey and remember feeling this was a great book throughout my reading but it did not have a great finish that I seem to have expected...
mo_haus's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting read. I love world travel and have been on my own quest for happiness. My personal conclusion is that happiness is a state of mind and not a location. Interesting to read about the factors that contribute to happiness in different places.
oldaq_001's review against another edition
3.0
This one has a hard one to get through. The topic is interesting, the writing style and attitude was off putting.
In essence is a travelling journal as the author jumps to different countries trying to find if they are happy and why.
For me the two places that stand out are Iceland and Thailand.
In short happiness is found where elements like a cooperative culture (vs individualistic), a good social support and close or extended relationships network, people don't think about happiness (if you think about it, pursue it or make it a goal, you lose it), and you have a healthy dose of misery.
Iceland in particular is interesting, a place where you are close to knowing everybody, there is no ruthless social competition, the environment is against you staying alive, and failure for the right reasons is admired (not failure as the middle part of an anecdote to success).
In essence is a travelling journal as the author jumps to different countries trying to find if they are happy and why.
For me the two places that stand out are Iceland and Thailand.
In short happiness is found where elements like a cooperative culture (vs individualistic), a good social support and close or extended relationships network, people don't think about happiness (if you think about it, pursue it or make it a goal, you lose it), and you have a healthy dose of misery.
Iceland in particular is interesting, a place where you are close to knowing everybody, there is no ruthless social competition, the environment is against you staying alive, and failure for the right reasons is admired (not failure as the middle part of an anecdote to success).
hledvina's review against another edition
3.0
Very interesting look at happiness from countries around the world. Weiner is funny, makes interesting observations and draws conclusions that make sense in our world, but he is still an American and sometimes a litle cringy.
sagejenn47's review against another edition
2.0
I liked it okay as a travel memoir, but not as a study of happiness. For me, the problem was mostly tone--it was hard for me to get beneath the layers of snarkiness to see any kind of earnest search for happiness. Eric Weiner was prone to over-generalizations and sarcastic take-downs, which would put me off even if this were not a book about happiness. It just didn't work for me, although I enjoyed learning more about Bhutan, Qatar, and Iceland.
sighants's review against another edition
4.0
I appreciated this book for what it was; an easy to read, fascinating look at "happiness" in a number of countries. The chapters are quick to read. The information presented in them is interesting enough to keep the pages turning.
mrs_w24's review against another edition
4.0
First of all, I am in love with travel/philosophical memoirs. Secondly, I liked this guy. His stories are funny and a bit dry, and he very neatly wraps up his experiences while demonstrating that there is no good way to neatly wrap up life and happiness. It wasn't from a spiritual perspective, so in someways it wasn't helpful as personal advice-y type stuff for me, but it offered good thoughts on humanity and happiness and what it means to different people. And I want to visit the places that he visited because he made each place seem so personable!
mainon's review against another edition
5.0
Expected this to be mildly interesting but it was fascinating and highly entertaining to boot. Like a good travelogue with intriguing social science research built in.