Introduction
1: Comfort and Joy
2: Bread and Circuses
3: Love and Work
4: Worries and Enthusiasts
5: Wanting and Liking
6: Placebos and panaceas
7: A Design for Living
References
Daniel Nettle is Lecturer in Psychology at University of Newcastle.
His publications include Vanishing Voices (with Suzanne Romaine),
Linguistic Diversity, and Strong Imagination: Madness, Creativity,
and Human Nature. He runs the psychological research website
www.psychresearch.org.uk. Vanishing Voices was winner of the BAAL
prize for 2001, and was described by The New Yorker as 'a superb
study of endangered languages'.
Strong Imagination was described as 'a fascinating, pithy little
book' (Sunday Times), giving 'a critical survey of current
psychiatric knowledge that is as good an overview as is available
from any source' (Times Literary Supplement).
A lucid and sensible survey of the latest research. Independent Well written, accurate and engaging, with a lightness of touch that makes it a delight to read. Nature An authoritative, challenging, even profound analysis of the most up-to-date research into its subject. Winston Fletcher, THES Excellent survey of the subject - a lucid, intelligent, and thoughtful essay. The Lancet
Here are two very different takes on happiness. Ryan (Attitudes of Gratitude) returns with a delightful book of encouragement and practical ideas for experiencing happiness. The emphasis is on remaking one's attitude, not one's face or environment. The chapters are short and brisk, with engaging life stories and well-formed thoughts to ponder. The substantial bibliography lists more than 39 happiness-related titles, which Ryan uses effectively throughout the text. Sure to be popular with patrons, this book is recommended for all self-help collections. While Ryan takes the straight self-improvement approach, Nettle (biological psychology, Open Univ., U.K.) presents a thoughtful analysis of scientific research on hedonics, or the study of pleasure. He combines research findings from the various social sciences to present his thesis that people are born with an evolutionary set of beliefs about the nature of happiness, which provides the incentive and direction for our pursuit of well-being without necessarily increasing the likelihood of its attainment. Nettle's presentation of evolutionary, societal, and brain chemistry- related forces that influence how we define and try to achieve greater happiness makes for a thought-provoking read. Recommended for public and academic libraries.-Crystal Renfro, Georgia Inst. of Technology Lib. & Information Ctr., Atlanta Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
A lucid and sensible survey of the latest research. Independent Well written, accurate and engaging, with a lightness of touch that makes it a delight to read. Nature An authoritative, challenging, even profound analysis of the most up-to-date research into its subject. Winston Fletcher, THES Excellent survey of the subject - a lucid, intelligent, and thoughtful essay. The Lancet
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