Publisher Description

Jennifer Michael Hecht explodes the myths about happiness, liberating us from the message that there's only one way to care for our hearts, minds, and bodies.

Author Biography

Jennifer Michael Hecht is the author of award-winning books of philosophy, history, and poetry. Her book Doubt: A History demonstrates a long, strong history of religious doubt from the origins of written history to the present day, all over the world. Hecht's The End of the Soul: Scientific Modernity, Atheism and Anthropology (Columbia University, 2003), won the Phi Beta Kappa Society's 2004 prestigious Ralph Waldo Emerson Award. Hecht's book reviews appear in The New York Times and The Washington Post. Hecht earned her Ph.D. in History and the History of Science from Columbia University. She lives in New York City.

Review

"Hecht's curiosity ranges widely, and the breadth of her learning is impressive... Fresh and daring analysis." -- Washington Post "Deep and thoughtful." -- Michael Shermer, Scientific American "Among the raft of happiness books published lately, this one is the obvious standout. I suggest climbing aboard." -- Cleveland Plain Dealer

Review Quote

"Hecht's curiosity ranges widely, and the breadth of her learning is impressive... Fresh and daring analysis." -- Washington Post "Deep and thoughtful." -- Michael Shermer, Scientific American "Among the raft of happiness books published lately, this one is the obvious standout. I suggest climbing aboard." -- Cleveland Plain Dealer

Description for Teachers/Educators

In this unique cultural history, Jennifer Michael Hecht looks at contemporary happiness advice and explains why most of it doesn't work. She examines today's most oft-pursued paths toward bliss -- money, mood-altering drugs, knowledge, celebration, and bodies -- and provides surprising insights into how these approaches have fared throughout history. With entertaining anecdotes about both successful and spurious approaches to joy, The Happiness Myth liberates us from the message that there's only one way to care for our hearts, minds, and bodies. Hecht also traces a common thread of advice she calls "sour charm wisdom" that we can use to create authentic, lasting happiness. Jennifer Michael Hecht is the author of award-winning books of philosophy, history, and poetry. Her books include Doubt: A History and The End of the Soul: Scientific Modernity, Atheism and Anthropology, which won the Phi Beta Kappa Society's prestigious Ralph Waldo Emerson Award. She writes book reviews for the New York Times and the Washington Post. Hecht earned her Ph.D. in History and the History of Science from Columbia University. She lives in New York City. "Hecht's curiosity ranges widely, and the breadth of her learning is impressive ... Fresh and daring analysis." -- Washington Post

Details