The Nature of Happiness (Paperback)

by Desmond Morris (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Renowned anthropologist and behaviorist Desmond Morris (The Naked Ape) looks at the nature of human happiness—and how understanding it may help you live a happier life.

What is happiness? Here, one of the world’s foremost behavioral scientists tackles this age-old question. He shows that there are many ways of achieving happiness; for example, there is the inherent happiness that comes with the love of a child; the competitive happiness of triumphing over your opponents; the sensual happiness of the hedonist. Rather than preaching a particular behavior or way of life, Morris provides knowledge that we can use, if we wish, to make ourselves happier. But only when we consider the entire range of possibilities can we hope to understand the true nature of happiness. Widely respected for his writing on animal and human behavior, Desmond Morris’ many best-sellers include The Human Animal.

From the Publisher
Each small but perfectly formed book from this new publisher is unique. Designed and produced to please the eye, and gently priced, Little Books are perfect for giving—yet they are far more than gift books. Each compact volume offers expert information, sound advice, thought–provoking ideas, and inspiration—always from a respected and trusted source. Happy reading from Little Books. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Little Books (October 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1904435572
• ISBN-13: 978-1904435570
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,056,645 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quick, enjoyable read, April 12, 2005

By	Mark Wilson (Tampa, FL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Nature of Happiness (Little Book Matters) (Hardcover)

Morris is one of my favorite authors because he provides such intelligent insights into human behavior. This book was no different. The Nature of Happiness is a small book (about a 2 hour read or so). However, as a biologist specializing in mammalian behavior, Morris does not use psycho-bable in this book. Rather, he gives practical information that one can use to find more happiness.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars transient happiness, January 1, 2007

By	Marshall Ginsburg (Cincinnati, Ohio) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The author does give excellent brief reviews of the ways of acheiving happiness, but the reader should remember he is defining happiness as a relatively transient feeling of joy. He is not talking about a meaningful life and a more profound view of lasting happiness. He is actually very skeptical about even the possibility of lasting happiness.

4.0 out of 5 stars Options, Options, April 14, 2009

By	StarLover (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Nature of Happiness (Little Book Matters) (Hardcover)

Each little chapter is a profile of some way some one finds personal happiness. At the end, the maestro suggests that if you have recognized yourself in one of the categories, and your method might not be working for you as well as it should, that you riffle back through the book and borrow some methods that other people use and apply them to your life. Dr. Morris, bless his heart, never judges and he is such good company.