Happiness: What Studies on Twins Show Us about Nature, Nurture, and the Happiness Set Point [Hardcover]

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1999

A fascinating, empirical look at what works--and what doesn't--in the eternalquest for happiness.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 279 pages
• Publisher: Golden Books Pub Co (Adult) (February 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158238004X
• ISBN-13: 978-1582380049
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,174,742 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars decent book but wait for the paperback edition, March 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Happiness: What Studies on Twins Show Us about Nature, Nurture, and the Happiness Set Point (Hardcover)

Dr. Lykken presents some interesting evidence than our happiness (and many other personal attributes) are strongly influenced by genetic settings. The key point he makes, though, is that even though our normal level of happiness may be set genetically we can rise above it through conscious effort. He talks about this as "bouncing" above our setpoint, and it is done by seeking out things that bring us joy and avoiding things that cause unhappiness.

The problem I have with the book is that the main thrust of his argument could occupy perhaps 50 pages; in essence a long pamphlet. To stretch this out to book length Dr. Lykken treats us to things like some of his favorite recipes, digressions on dogs he has owned, and so on. So while the book makes a worthwhile contribution to self-improvement it really ought to be condensed.

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable reading. Valuable information. Buy for loved ones., August 27, 1999

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Happiness: What Studies on Twins Show Us about Nature, Nurture, and the Happiness Set Point (Hardcover)

This is a charming book full of scientific facts, stories, opinions, and personal wisdom. Lykken both entertains and informs his readers while he spreads the news arising from his research about how to make lives happier. This is no "ten rules to make you a better person" book. It is, rather, a book to be read and savored as you get to know the research of Lykken and his colleagues on the personalities and characteristics of more than four thousand twins whom they have studied in their search for the sources of personal traits. Facts are not recited or listed, instead they are illustrated with stories, examples and personalities that will help the reader recall the real messages after the particular numbers from the research studies have faded from memory.

The overall message is clear; you do have a genetic set point for happiness (just as you have for many other characteristics) but you are not helpless in the hands of the "genetic steersman." There are many things you can do to increase your feelings of happiness in your daily life no matter where your set point happens to be. About half the book is devoted to documenting, illustrating, and explaining such strategies. There are also a number of ways to avoid the "thieves of happiness" (depression, fear and anger), and a short section is devoted to dealing with these villians too.

But this book is not a textbook to be studied for some coming examination; it carries a personal message about living life in a particular way. Lykken's way is illustrated throughout the life span, starting from childbirth and infancy and proceeding through child development, parenting, marriage, work, and retirement. In short, the book presents a general approach to living one's life in such a way as to maximize one's happiness therein.(And, as a by-product, producing happier family members and better citizens.)

As you read the book, you will come to know Dr. Lykken, his colleagues, and his family (including even the pets). He comes through to this reader as a calm, thoughtful, contented, and happy man. Professionally, he is a clinical psychologist, turned full-time researcher, who has thought clearly and earnestly about living. He has investigated many aspects of personality through research and now shares his views with us in this book.

I have sent copies of this book to my three grown children who have families of their own. And I have already heard that they enjoy it as much as I have. I hope that it also helps them increase their harvest of happiness.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 'Happiness' - what is it? Written by someone that knows., September 7, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Minneapolis, Minnesota) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Happiness: What Studies on Twins Show Us about Nature, Nurture, and the Happiness Set Point (Hardcover)

What an enjoyable read! The fascinating psychological research, and studies are there - but the happy wave of the book is given in Lykken's personal life details. We trust his grasp - on this many times elusive and absolutely paragon, of human emotions.