The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places on Earth

Eric Weiner (2008)

THE A5 BOOK REVIEW

The Geography of Bliss is a pretty funny yet meaningful look into happiness across different cultures. Quite a noble pursuit! Are certain places more content than others? Why not try to better understand what makes us fulfilled, excited, motivated and all-around happy? Eric Weiner decides to investigate firsthand by traveling around the globe to absorb life in some of the world’s happiest and unhappiest countries, including Bhutan where the country actually measures Gross National Happiness and Moldova, which is identified by Weiner as the world's least happy place. Other countries visited include India, Iceland, Thailand, Switzerland, and the wealthy Persian Gulf nation of Qatar. There are no easy answers here, but Weiner provides a very enjoyable travelogue with some real insights on the path to contentment.

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ABOUT ERIC WEINER

Eric Weiner is a popular writer, speaker, former correspondent for National Public Radio, and at heart, a philosophical traveler. His work has appeared on BBC Travel, the Washington Post, and the Los Angeles Times. His newer book, The Geography of Genius, similarly sets out to explore the connection between surroundings and in this case, creative genius.

More information on Eric Weiner

GREAT QUOTES:

“Only a fool or philosopher would make sweeping generalizations about the nature of happiness. I am no philosopher, so here goes: Money matters, but less than we think and not in the way that we think. Family is important. So are friends. Envy is toxic. So is excessive thinking. Beaches are optional. Trust is not. Neither is gratitude.”
- Eric Weiner, The Geography of Bliss

"For me, a place unvisited is like an unrequited love. A dull ache that- try as you might to think it away, to convince yourself that she really wasn't the right country for you- just won't leave you in peace.”
- Eric Weiner, The Geography of Bliss

INTERESTING LINKS:

Read the New York Times 2007 review on The Geography of Bliss.
Weiner has written a number of articles for NPR. We like the article on the technology of books and the impact on the book store. Click here to read this article.