Customer Reviews

How to Be Happy, Dammit: A Cynic's Guide to Spiritual Happiness

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

A friend gave me this book for Christmas, recognizing my innate cynicism, especially relating to the self-improvement, New Age, traditional coaching world. And ...I liked it!

Author Salmonsohn presents some basic truths that we've all heard before. ("Relax." "Let go.") But she presents these sayings in a context of sophisticated graphics and down-to-earth realism. I especially like her warning, which I paraphrase as, "Don't seek career advice from people who don't have careers, or relationship advice from people who don't have relationships." It's not completely accurate: some people can "teach" better than they can "do." But it's worth considering.
And her warning that every year has a "winter phase" is right on.

Like most readers, I'm absorbing Salmonsohn's words after reading dozens of self-help books, so none of these ideas are really new. I'm wondering if this book would really melt the heart of a cynic or someone who is truly resistant to change -- or if they'd respond like an atheist who is urged to try a contemporary hip "new" religious service.

My hunch is that this book makes a great gift and recipients, like me, will appreciate the sender's thought and intention, regardless of the book's actual content. It's nice when someone says, "I know you're a cynic but I like you anyway." Hmm...that's a sentiment right out of the book!

I can't say enough about how much I love this book! I came across it in a bookstore when I was grieving the unexpected loss of a loved one in addition to a series of smaller tragedies. I was intrigued by the title, as I was extremely cynical and had no interest in wimpy "the world is a wonderful place" type self-help books. This book hit the spot! Karen Salmansohn speaks in a language that I completely relate to - very catchy, but with logical explanations for the information she provides. The bright pictures and catchy analogies made it very easy and pleasant to read. In some places the photos spoke almost as loudly as the words. I related so well to Ms. Salmansohn's style that I have since bought three of her other books and have not been disappointed. She is one of those gifted writers whose ability to express herself in so many new and fresh ways just blows me away! This book has literally been my lifeline for several months now, and I intend to buy copies for all my friends. I highly recommend this book for anyone who needs a pick-me-up, or a hopeful new perspective.

I found it at a local bookstore and skimmed through it. Flipping through the pages, though the nice graphics and typefaces caught my attention, the text itself didn't make much sense. I picked up the book anyways because I really am a cynic looking for spiritual happiness. When I finally got around to reading it, I discovered why flipping through the book didn't make much sense. This is not a coffee table book. It must be read from beginning to end, otherwise it won't make much sense. It's a quick read, it only took me an hour or so and I'm a slow reader. It's very catchy, witty, to the point, and perfect for cynics alike. I bought the book for a couple of friends and they really liked it as well. I'm not exactly happier, but it did give me a better perspective on life as a whole. If you're skeptical, pick it up anyways. It's inexpensive, a quick read, entertaining even if you don't like the entire book, and you really have nothing to lose. If it doesn't jive you well, give it to a friend.

The last few months have been very "challenging" for me...so a friend gave me this book. I was skeptical at first that any book get me to shift my emtoional state...but I gotta say this book definitely did! I laughed as I read it...which helped me to kinda feel better right away...BUT... mostly (and surprisingly) I found its insights and advice very VERY helpful to get me to a stronger emotional place to make the changes I need to make..and make them I did. I totally recommend this book to anyone out there who is in that "challenging" place in their life. I also loved Ms. Salmansohn's THE 8-MINUTE GUTS BUILDER...which also motivated me to make some needed changes in my life. Thank you Ms. Salmansohn! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Not being an optimist by nature or upbringing, my life is all about the struggle between negativity and positivity -- so I was pleased to discover Karen Salmansohn's 'Cynic's Guide to Spiritual Happiness.' It is a truly wonderful book. Right now, facing 2003, I rely on my 3 favorite books to keep me sane. The other 2 are 'Stop Smiling, Start Kvetching' and 'The Positive Power of Negative Thinking' -- all 3 help me to harness the positive energy of negativity. These 3 books make up my personal triple play for dealing constructively with anxiety, worry, irritation, and cynicism/pessimism. So my new year's resolution is to make the most of who I am and how I deal with the world around me. And Karen Salmansohn is a great author to have on your team -- she has new books coming out this year, and I'd keep an eye out for them too.

I think that this book helps to give hope and reminds us to stop feeling sorry for ourselves all the time. While the other reviewers did not like the book at all, I completely disagree with the reasoning. This is basically a 'coffee-table' book. It has glossy pictures with simple statements about life's truths and the reality of being alive. Things aren't always great, but if you give up on life then you might as well go live in a cave somwhere. It contains positive thoughts and reminders of the fact that we don't always have to feel like victims. Some of the statements are pretty obvious and occasionally cheesy- but why is that so bad? It made me smile for 15 minutes and reminded me that 'doo-doo happens' in life, but when it comes down to it none of our lives are REALLY that bad.

I love this book. And Im a guy who does NOT read self help books. It was thrust on me by a friend -- a good friend. I found the book engaging and insightful and inspiring. Its a book for people who would not think to read a self help book but looking for motivation to get through difficult times. Must read for anyone who feels like life sucks. Thank you to the author!

This is a bright and entertaining guide (or stimulus) for people who are prone to cynicism and pessimism. The book design is itself a pleasure to behold -- bright, colorful graphics that are creatively designed and boldly executed. Perhaps the jaded and cynical among us can be more happy, especially spiritually happy (more than socially), without having to become people who use those yellow smiley face symbols all over the place. I like that premise and hope it works for a lot of people. Being an anti-smiley-face person myself, I love the cover of Barbara Held's book "Stop Smiling, Start Kvetching" which draws a red 'NO' circle and line through that ubiquitous yellow face. Now I have noticed among my circle of friends that different people like or dislike different ones of Karen Salmansohn's many books. So if "How To Be Happy -- Dammit" does not appeal to your taste in books, you might want to check out her newest 2003 book, "How To Change Your Entire Life By Doing Absolutely Nothing." Salmansohn has a fabulous sense of humor, and she also is very perceptive about what it is like to be an individual living in contemporary society, in a manner that can be helpful as well as entertaining. Great combination.

Like me, I bet you know someone who just seems to refuse to be happy, no matter what, year after year after year ...

I have known my friend "Z" for 15 years. She always has something to complain about. No matter how well the day, week, month, or year is going, she will tell you stuff she is anxious about, that she just has to complain about, etc. etc.

Really, some years are better than other. But she won't admit it. I get it now -- she refuses to be happy; complaining is her habit, her worldview, her addiction.

So I gave her this book for her birthday to say to her, please learn "How To Be Happy - Dammit !!" This is a fun but also provocative book in that it communicates more than just humor. If this does not work, I'll give her the longer, more serious book 'Addicted to Unhappiness' to try. But I'm hoping Salmansohn's attractive gift book will communicate my message to my friend. Worth a try.

Too simple. Relationships, love, careers and life take work. It is give and take. It is easy to say, "It's not working, get rid of it", instead of working at it. It is give and take all the way around. This book tells you to think of you and only you without a thought of others - that is selfish. Yes, we want to be happy, but you can't keep throwing people, work, things away because it is not working the way you want (what are you going to do if the next way doesn't work, get rid of it too?) You need a balance in life, work and love, it is finding that balance that you need to think about.