The Happiness Myth: Why What We Think Is Right Is Wrong

Jennifer Michael Hecht

  • 3.72 out of 5 stars
    551 ratings by Goodreads
ISBN 10: 0060813970 ISBN 13: 9780060813970
Published by HarperOne, 2007
Used Hardcover

From SecondSale, Montgomery, IL, U.S.A. Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

AbeBooks Seller since December 20, 2007

This specific item is no longer available.

About this Item

Description:

Item in good condition. Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc. Seller Inventory # 00084625878

  • 3.72 out of 5 stars
    551 ratings by Goodreads

Report this item

Synopsis:

"We think of our version of a happy life as more like physics than like pop songs; we expect the people of the next century to agree with our basic tenets—for instance, that broccoli is good for a happy life and that opium is bad—but they will not. Our rules for living are more like the history of pop songs. They make weird sense only to the people of each given time period. They aren't true. This book shows you how past myths functioned, and likewise how our myths of today function, and thus lets you out of the trap of thinking you have to pay heed to any of them."

The Happiness Myth is a fascinating cultural history that both reveals our often silly assumptions about how we pursue happiness today and offers up real historical lessons that have stood the test of time. Hecht delivers memorable insights into the five practical means we choose to achieve happiness: wisdom, drugs, money, bodies, and celebration.

Hecht liberates us from today's scolding, quasi-scientific messages that insist there is only one way to care for our minds and bodies. Hecht looks at contemporary happiness advice and explains why much of it doesn't work. "Modern culture," she writes, "is misrepresenting me and spending a lot of money to do it."

Rich with hilarious anecdotes about both failed and successful paths to happiness, Hecht's book traces a common thread of advice—she calls it "sour charm wisdom"—that we can still apply today to create authentic, lasting happiness.

About the Author:

Jennifer Michael Hecht is a philosopher, historian, and award-winning poet. She is the author of Doubt: A History and The End of the Soul; the latter won the Phi Beta Kappa Society's 2004 Ralph Waldo Emerson Award. Hecht's books of poetry include The Next Ancient World and Funny. She earned her Ph.D. in history from Columbia University and teaches at The New School in New York City.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Happiness Myth: Why What We Think Is ...
Publisher: HarperOne
Publication Date: 2007
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Good

Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace

Stock Image

Jennifer Michael Hecht
Published by HarperOne, 2007
ISBN 10: 0060813970 ISBN 13: 9780060813970
Used Hardcover

Seller: SecondSale, Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Condition: Very Good. Item in very good condition! Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc. Seller Inventory # 00083731581

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 5.26
Convert currency
Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Jennifer Michael Hecht
Published by HarperOne, 2007
ISBN 10: 0060813970 ISBN 13: 9780060813970
Used Hardcover

Seller: Goodwill of Colorado, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Condition: Good. This item is in overall good condition. Covers and dust jackets are intact but may have minor wear including slight curls or bends to corners as well as cosmetic blemishes including stickers. Pages are intact but may have minor highlighting/ writing. Binding is intact; however, spine may have slight wear overall. Minor shelf wear overall. Please note that all items are donated goods and are in used condition. Orders shipped Monday through Friday! Your purchase helps put people to work and learn life skills to reach their full potential. Orders shipped Monday through Friday. Your purchase helps put people to work and learn life skills to reach their full potential. Thank you! Seller Inventory # 466TY8000E2H

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 5.28
Convert currency
Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Seller Image

Jennifer Michael Hecht
Published by HarperOne, 2007
ISBN 10: 0060813970 ISBN 13: 9780060813970
Used Hardcover

Seller: ZBK Books, Carlstadt, NJ, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Condition: good. Used book in good and clean conditions. Pages and cover are intact. Limited notes marks and highlighting may be present. May show signs of normal shelf wear and bends on edges. Item may be missing CDs or access codes. May include library marks. Fast Shipping. Seller Inventory # ZWM.K0BX

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 5.54
Convert currency
Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Jennifer Michael Hecht
Published by HarperOne, 2007
ISBN 10: 0060813970 ISBN 13: 9780060813970
Used Hardcover

Seller: Wonder Book, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Condition: Good. Good condition. Very Good dust jacket. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains. Bundled media such as CDs, DVDs, floppy disks or access codes may not be included. Seller Inventory # F03C-03393

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 5.79
Convert currency
Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Jennifer Michael Hecht
Published by HarperOne, 2007
ISBN 10: 0060813970 ISBN 13: 9780060813970
Used Hardcover

Seller: Half Price Books Inc., Dallas, TX, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_426386642

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 5.84
Convert currency
Shipping: US$ 3.49
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Jennifer Michael Hecht
Published by HarperOne, 2007
ISBN 10: 0060813970 ISBN 13: 9780060813970
Used Hardcover

Seller: HPB-Diamond, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_429937625

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 5.84
Convert currency
Shipping: US$ 3.75
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Jennifer Michael Hecht
Published by HarperOne April 2007, 2007
ISBN 10: 0060813970 ISBN 13: 9780060813970
Used Hardcover

Seller: R Bookmark, Youngtown, AZ, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Hardcover. Condition: Used - Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Good. Seller Inventory # 209018

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 6.00
Convert currency
Shipping: US$ 6.13
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Hecht, Jennifer
Published by HarperCollins Publishers, 2007
ISBN 10: 0060813970 ISBN 13: 9780060813970
Used Hardcover

Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Condition: Good. First Edition (stated). Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # GRP95047934

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 6.24
Convert currency
Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 3 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Hecht, Jennifer
Published by HarperOne, 2007
ISBN 10: 0060813970 ISBN 13: 9780060813970
Used Hardcover

Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 1.32. Seller Inventory # G0060813970I3N10

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 6.29
Convert currency
Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Hecht, Jennifer
Published by HarperOne, 2007
ISBN 10: 0060813970 ISBN 13: 9780060813970
Used Hardcover

Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Hardcover. Condition: Fair. No Jacket. Former library book; Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 1.32. Seller Inventory # G0060813970I5N10

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 6.29
Convert currency
Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

There are 9 more copies of this book

View all search results for this book