Making Happy People [Hardcover]

Paul Martin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 21, 2005

From the author of the highly successful "Counting Sheep" comes a new book on the study of happiness. "Making Happy People" is quite simply a study of happiness. It looks at the origins of happiness within the individual during the lifelong process of development from birth to death. It also explores the relationship between happiness and success, and the ways in which early experience, parents and eduction influence each individual's capacity for happiness, the most sought-after and most elusive human property. Breaking new ground in the literature of happiness, this book offers a scientific perspective on a subject that has hitherto been the preseve of philosophers, artists, psychoanalysts and self-help gurus. All parents want their children to be happy, but few take things further than this vague wish - until things start to go wrong and unhappiness has arrived to stay. Only then do they realise that what might seem obvious at first glance is in fact far from obvious. Accessible to parents and teachers alike, "Making People Happy" uses the perspective of psychology and biology to reveal the way to be happy and to help children become happy people for life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for Paul Martin's Counting Sheep: 'Energetic and immensely readable, this is as good a popular science book as I have read! written with such vivacity and infectious enthusiasm that by the end of this book you'll be racing for your bed to try out a few sleepy experiments for yourself.' Evening Standard 'A masterpiece of efficiently and entertainingly delivered information, bracingly clear and thoroughly researched.' New Statesman 'A thoroughly engaging and passionate book! littered with fascinating experiments, titillating examples and offbeat asides.' Scotland on Sunday

About the Author

Paul Martin was educated at Cambridge University, where he read Natural Sciences and took a PhD in behavioural biology, and at Stanford University, California, where he was Harkness Fellow in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences. He lectured and researched in behavioural biology at Cambridge University, and was a Fellow of Wolfson College, before leaving academia to pursue other interests including science writing. His previous books include The Sickening Mind and Counting Sheep.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Fourth Estate (February 21, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0007127065
• ISBN-13: 978-0007127061
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,217,190 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Super, February 21, 2006

By 

Dr. CJ Meadows (France) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Making Happy People (Hardcover)

If you'd like to make yourself, your kids, or anyone else happier, do read this book. This is an extremely intelligent treatment of one of life's most important issues, based on a thorough review of proper research studies, not just conjecture. I'm making some life changes in response to this book, and I'm keeping it on hand for my husband & kids, as well as sending a copy to my brother. Well done, Mr. Martin.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!, December 30, 2009

By 

Violet Dream (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Making Happy People (Hardcover)

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about happiness. The author brings together a comprehensive summary of research data on the topic. It is written in plain easy language and describes what factors affect happiness and which ones are more important than others. It is not fun and colourful like many other books on happiness but you're definitely going to learn so much more from it! I had to stop after every few sentences to elaborate on what I've read because it is all so deep and thought-provoking. The best thing is that you know that this is all supported by empirical evidence!