Bibliograph

Happiness in America, a cultural history, Lawrence R. Samuel

Type

Label

Happiness in America, a cultural history, Lawrence R. Samuel

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references (pages 159-179) and index

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

Happiness in America

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

1030483458

Responsibility statement

Lawrence R. Samuel

Sub title

a cultural history

Summary

"Beyond serving as the definitive guide to happiness in this country, Happiness in America offers readers a provocative argument that challenges standard thinking. Despite popular belief, Americans have never been a particularly happy people. Our perpetual (and futile) search for happiness indicates widespread dissatisfaction and discontent with life in general, something that will come as a surprise to many. The image of Americans as a happy-go-lucky people is thus more mythology than reality, an important finding rooted in the inherent flaws of consumer capitalism. Our competitive and comparative American Way of Life has not proven to be an especially good formula for happiness, Samuel argues, with external signs of success unlikely to produce appreciably happier people. Given these findings, he suggests readers consider abandoning their pursuit of happiness and instead seek out greater joy in life." -- Publisher's description

Table Of Contents

Introduction -- New roads to happiness, 1920-1939 -- The paradox of happiness, 1940-1959 -- What makes you happy? 1960-1979 -- Don't worry, be happy, 1980-1999 -- Are you happy yet? 2000-2009 -- Happily ever after, 2010- -- Epilogue

Classification