The Science of Happiness: How Our Brains Make Us Happy-and What We Can Do to Get Happier [Bargain Price] [Paperback]

Stefan Klein (Author), Stephen Lehmann (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 8, 2006

Clinical psychologists have been dealing with miserable feelings since their discipline was established. In the last 30 years, neuroscientists have made major headway in the understanding of the sources of anger, depression, and fear. Today, whole industries profit from this knowledge—producing pills for every sort of pathological mood disturbance. But until recently, few neuroscientists focused on the subject of happiness. Now, in The Science of Happiness, leading German science journalist Stefan Klein ranges widely across the latest frontiers of neuroscience and neuropsychology to explain how happiness is fostered in our brains and what biological purpose it serves (and, importantly, how we can control our negative feelings and emotions). In addition, he explains the neurophysiology of our passions (the elementary rules of which are hardwired into our brains), the power of consciousness, and how we can use it. In a final section, Klein explores the conditions required to foster the "pursuit of happiness." A remarkable synthesis of a growing body of research that has not heretofore been brought together in one accessible book, The Science of Happiness will ultimately help each of us understand our own quest for happiness—and our fostering of it, as well.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A leading German science journalist explores the nature of happiness through the latest research in brain science in this instructive study. Positive and negative feelings, he says, are generated by different mental systems; thus, people whose right frontal lobe dominates tend to be more pessimistic, while those with a stronger left lobe are predisposed to optimism and self-confidence. Despite genetic programming, the author says, the brain is "malleable," and anyone with a desire for happiness is able to perceive and experience more pleasurable emotions. Drawing on complex experiments with animals, he suggests specific strategies to overcome depression, including engaging in activities, especially physical activities or simple tasks that easily offer a sense of success; and writing down negative thoughts, then marshaling the evidence against them. Klein looks at the complex relationship between income and satisfaction and the importance of self-determination and social connections. The surest path to happiness, Klein is convinced, is to know oneself. (July)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Review

"An extremely well-written, easy-to-read and expertly researched book on a theme which has long been begging for pop-science treatment." --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Marlowe & Company; Tra edition (March 8, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156924328X
• ASIN: B0012O2KKG
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,857,422 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Interesting, April 15, 2006

By 

Darrell Speck (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Science of Happiness: How Our Brains Make Us Happy-and What We Can Do to Get Happier (Paperback)

As the title says, this books discusses the research of what happens in the brain when we experience different feelings (or runs amuck in depression or addiction) and what we can do to increase the positive feelings. I was surprised by a chapter discussing societal factors.

It does not read like a translation, there are references to lots of American locations and icons. While I knew much of the advice (such as the good effects of exercise), I learned a good bit (such as income equality brings greater happiness). The book also refutes some 'common sense' adages. All in all, an enjoyable read that I found very interesting.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm happy I read this book!!, December 19, 2007

By 

Stephen Pletko "Uncle Stevie" (London, Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Science of Happiness: How Our Brains Make Us Happy-and What We Can Do to Get Happier (Paperback)

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Consider these questions:

(1) Is happiness more than simply the opposite of unhappiness?
(2) Is happiness genetic?
(3) Does the feeling of anger pass if you vent it?
(4) Is it possible to prolong the good moments in one's life?
(5) Does money make people happy?
(6) Can we stay in love with the same person all our life?
(7) What is the greatest happiness?

These are just some of the questions answered in this interesting, comprehensive, scientifically-based, and easy-to-read book, an "international bestseller," by German science and freelance writer Dr. Stefan Klein. This book was well translated from German by Stephen Lehmann.

What is happiness? This question, as Klein tells us, was the "catalyst" for this book. Klein continues:

"My own search for positive feelings...played a role in my hope that we could find happiness if we only knew where to look for it. I was also motivated by curiosity, which is an occupational disease of scientists and journalists--and I am both."

The book itself mentions both current and historical happiness research as well as case studies. Klein also delves into literature resources on happiness.

I feel that this book is strongest when it deals with the neuroscience of happiness. The reason for this is mentioned in the book's acknowledgements section:

"I have been fortunate in getting to know many of the leading researchers in the study of the brain and emotions, and they have been generous with their time and insights."

Finally, there are two things I question regarding this book:

(1) Is the scientific measurement of positive or pleasurable feelings really an adequate basis for an understanding of happiness and how to attain it?

(2) Klein presents a plethora of animal research and extrapolates the conclusions of this research to humans. Is this extrapolation really justified especially when dealing with the complex feeling of happiness?

Despite these queries, I still learned much from this book.

In conclusion, an anonymous person once said, "Much happiness is lost in the pursuit of it." Perhaps, but thanks to the discoveries of neuroscience presented in this book, we can all learn to be happy.

(first published 2002; translation published 2006; introduction; 3 parts or 15 chapters; epilogue; main narrative 260 pages; notes; bibliography; acknowledgements; index)

<<Stephen Pletko, London, Ontario, Canada>>

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23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, June 12, 2007

By 

James L. Fuqua "Jim" (Hendersonville, TN United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Science of Happiness: How Our Brains Make Us Happy-and What We Can Do to Get Happier (Paperback)

This is a great book. Everyone has an opinion, but science attempts to analyze the facts to determine the truth.

This book is easy to read, but it cites many scientific studies to shows how our everyday behavior can alter our brain chemistry for the better or worse. It does not rely on dogmatic opinion unsupported by scientific data.

The translation from German is superb. One would never know from reading this book that it was originally written in another language.

The reader who objected to the last chapter just objects to the truth. Scientific research sometimes turns up facts that are not politically correct in some circles. A quick Goggle search of the Internet for "happiness nations" yields many web sites supporting the observations of the last chapter of this book.

Again - If you are to read one book on this subject, this would be the one to read. There are several other good books on happiness. I have half a dozen. This is the best of the bunch.

Jim Fuqua