This book is absolutely incredible - so much fascinating information, and so readable!!

First of all, the main hypothesis, that people make decisions with their gut and then use their brains to rationalize those decisions, is well supported. The examples are clear, real, and alive. You'll walk away from the book thinking, there are so many things that I do that I'm completely unaware of.

Secondly, my favorite thing about this book was that it was SO READABLE: it sounds like Jon Haidt is sitting across from you and speaking to you. (For example, you may have heard of the one and two marshmallow studies, but the story-like way that Haidt describes it will really capture your attention). Even the headings and section titles kept my curiosity up: what could that next section be about?

Third, the section on why human beings are hypocrites (ch. 4) is extremely interesting.

Finally, there is so much philosophy and history of psychology interwoven into the hypothesis of the book that you feel like you keep entering a new theatrical stage: one stage after the other, going to the center of a performance. And the best thing is, all the history, etc. is presented as "here is this story that shows why this happens" and "here's this other story."

The editorial reviews have done a nice job of reporting on the content & context of The Happiness Hypothesis. I wish to report on the rewards of reading this book. I review a lot of material on the subject of happiness & other optimal emotion & mood states & I highly recommend Dr. Haidt's example of scholarly work, written as a very pleasurable read.

I appreciate Dr. Haidt's focused & grounded recommendations for achieving a life well-lived & loved, amidst easy to assimilate, constant, complex scholarly research.

Pleasure, engagement, & new perspectives, on top of great personal meaning are tremendous rewards for reading a book. Wouldn't you agree?