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Eduardo Punset

The Happiness Trip: A Scientific Journey (Sciencewriters) Paperback – June 18, 2007

by Eduardo Punset (Author), Antonio Damasio (Foreword)

2 customer reviews

Book 1 of 2 in the Viaje a las emociones Series

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The search for happiness is quintessentially human—a concept that has no bearing on any other creature on earth yet figures foremost among our deepest desires. In the realm of hard science, the journey to happiness is still in its infancy; the final destination, uncertain. The Happiness Trip is a lucid and passionate approach to the science of happiness and its conditioning factors: emotions, stress, hormonal flows and aging, as well as the social, economic, cultural and religious aspects associated with the emotion.

"We have set out on the unknown waters of our potential happiness with no previous knowledge, no maps. There are no models in nature. It is only recently that the scientific community developed technical instruments to measure the impact of emotions and stress. These have given rise in turn to the search for happiness, which immediately burst onto the field of scientific analysis."

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Off the presses: Feeling poorly—or just poor? The Happiness Trip by Eduardo Punset from Chelsea Green explores the search for happiness in scientific terms and offers a mathematical formula for happy days. This book may change your life—and it no doubt will give you something to talk about at the water cooler."--Lisa Neff, Chicago Free Press

"In this wide-ranging, fascinating book, Punset takes us on a journey through the many sciences he's mastered to find the origins and purpose of human happiness. He moves effortlessly from microbiology to psychology, never missing a step. I dare anyone to read a single page without learning something new."--Daniel Gilbert, Harvard University, author of Stumbling on Happiness

"In a society that has become increasingly burdened by unrealistic expectations, uncontrolled desires, excessive consumerism, and self-centeredness, the need for a calm, thoughtful discussion of what brings lasting and true happiness is more important than ever. Punset presents a most readable and enjoyable account of the insights that science can offer on the path to happiness. The formula to happiness that Punset offers is intuitive and appealing, and one can only hope that many will try to follow it. That will make for a more enjoyable world for all."—Alvaro Pascual-Leone, Director, Center for Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation

"Punset is one of the most brilliant science writers and TV hosts of our time. His exploration of the bizarre facts about our brain is enormously entertaining and informative." —Eugene Chudnovsky, Distinguished Professor of Physics at the City University of New York

About the Author

Eduardo Punset is Professor of Economic Policy at the Chemical Institute of Ramon Llull University in Barcelona. He was Chairman of the Bull Technological Institute, Professor of Innovation and Technology at Madrid University, and IMF Representative in the Caribbean. He actively participated in the Spanish political transition to democracy as Minister for Relations with the European Union, Regional Minister of Finance for Cataluny. and Member of the European Parliament. He is currently Director and Producer of Networks, a weekly programme of Spanish public television on Science. He has been a member of the staff of BBC, and The Economist. His books include A Field Guide to Survive in the XXI st Century, La Salida de la Crisis, Human Resources and Economic Growth, and La Espana Impertinente.

Series: Sciencewriters
Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: Chelsea Green Publishing (June 18, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1933392444
ISBN-13: 978-1933392448
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
Average Customer Review: 2 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,373,349 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #4311 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Emotions
- #12302 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Happiness
- #23094 in Books > Reference > Foreign Language Study & Reference

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Oliver

Doesn't Quite Make It

August 9, 2008

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

It seems like Punset has something interesting to say, but he just never seems to get his point across clearly. Perhaps it is partly the language barrier (he is from Barcelona, and so presumably speaks Spanish and/or Catalan). I doubt it, but maybe.

Punset begins by telling us that, until very recently (in evolutionary terms) humans have been more concerned with getting by and reproducing. We have not had time for much else. Now that life expectancies have increased from 30 years to 70, we have to readjust the way we do things. Our bodies and minds have not evolved, however, to take that recent change in longevity into account.

It is an interesting topic, and the author does make a few good points clearly (e.g, happiness is, to a large extent, the absence of fear). Again, I get the feeling Punset is smart guy with something interesting to say. Maybe you will get more out of it than I did.

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