"The books of Bertrand Russell are a modern substitute for the Bible."—Time
"The Conquest of Happiness, a primer o... read full description
"The Conquest of Happiness, a primer o... read full description
reviews
Apr 09, 2011
P.J.
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Bertrand Russell was the quintessential rational man. In this book he applies rationality to psychology in a systematic examination of human thinking and motivations. Without denying the importance of external social forces, he concerns himself here with only those factors which lie within the power of the individual mind to change.
Discussing the psychological causes of unhappiness, he concludes that preoccupation with self is the chief culprit. The personality should be directed o More...
Discussing the psychological causes of unhappiness, he concludes that preoccupation with self is the chief culprit. The personality should be directed o More...
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Oct 23, 2010
Pvw
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It is always refreshing to hear exact scientists give their opinions about life or sociological matters. I find them a lot more refreshing than some quick guides to happiness by some psychologist, or the energy-inside-you babble by a spiritual charlatan.
From the introduction on you learn that Russell is not writing this to sell, but just wants to pass on some things that have worked for him and that may be useful for others as well.
The book consists of two clearly separated p More...
From the introduction on you learn that Russell is not writing this to sell, but just wants to pass on some things that have worked for him and that may be useful for others as well.
The book consists of two clearly separated p More...
Aug 13, 2009
Modern Dinosaurs are killing themselves out
The trouble arises from the generally received philosophy of life, according to which life is a contest, a competition, in which respect is to be accorded to the victor. This view leads to an undue cultivation of the will at the expense of the senses and the intellect. Or possibly, in saying this, we may be puttting the cart before the horse. Puritan moralists have always emphasized the will in modern times, although originally it was fai More...
The trouble arises from the generally received philosophy of life, according to which life is a contest, a competition, in which respect is to be accorded to the victor. This view leads to an undue cultivation of the will at the expense of the senses and the intellect. Or possibly, in saying this, we may be puttting the cart before the horse. Puritan moralists have always emphasized the will in modern times, although originally it was fai More...
May 26, 2010
Aziz
rated it:
Pretty much just pop psychology written in Russell's typical elaborate and witty language. However, that isn't to say that the information doesn't seem pretty accurate on occasion. I stress, however, the phrase 'on occasion'; the bulk of the content seems to focus on overly dramatic, sweeping statements about woman, coloured peoples and the working class. This all results in the book reading like a rich man's, androcentric self-help guide. So, it probably should be mentioned that Russell general
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Dec 17, 2010
Tristan
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One should respect public opinion insofar as is necessary to avoid starvation and keep out of prison, but anything that goes beyond this is voluntary submission to an unnecessary tyranny.
Bertrand Russel, cheery scientist and one of the greatest minds and personalities of the era, explains his take on human happiness and what keeps most of us from it most of the time. He explains this from a purely rational and non-theistic perspective, taking nothing for granted. This is NOT a self-hel More...
Bertrand Russel, cheery scientist and one of the greatest minds and personalities of the era, explains his take on human happiness and what keeps most of us from it most of the time. He explains this from a purely rational and non-theistic perspective, taking nothing for granted. This is NOT a self-hel More...
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Aug 09, 2011
Jesse
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Russell was very right to title this quintessential self-help book with the word "conquest", since happiness is hardly a thing that emanates from the heavens down to your precious soul - unfortunately, the opposite view has held sway for a couple thousand years. Consequently, many average people do as their told, expecting happiness to come to them if they are obedient, i.e., enjoy mainstream media, conform one's behavior to outside groups, etc. Yet, everything of human worth is precis
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Apr 16, 2009
Jo-Ann
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One of the greatest chicken soup for the soul books I read so far, though frankly I haven't read a lot. The book was first published in 1930, which still applies to present life. It's an art to be happy, life long class. Below is what I quote from the book:
What I disagreed:
"A happy life must be to a great extent a quiet life, for it is only in an atmosphere of quiet that true joy can live."
What I agreed:
"Nothing is so exhaustin More...
What I disagreed:
"A happy life must be to a great extent a quiet life, for it is only in an atmosphere of quiet that true joy can live."
What I agreed:
"Nothing is so exhaustin More...
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Oct 05, 2011
Andrew
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I have a difficult time assessing the value of books that seem like "common sense." The majority of The Conquest of Happiness is information that rings so true as to feel obvious, and thus not enlightening, to me. Yet there is much to be said in the deft presentation of such truths. (What I think of as the Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit argument.)
Russell, as a mathematician and philosopher, is at times guilty of over-explaining his argument, preferring to m More...
Russell, as a mathematician and philosopher, is at times guilty of over-explaining his argument, preferring to m More...
Aug 23, 2010
Matt
rated it:
This book is a bit dated in parts but still packed with goodness.
Some people consider self-love or self-esteem the counter to or cure for self-loathing. Russell makes a very compelling argument that self-esteem and self-loathing are merely flip sides of the same coin of self-absorption. Russell argues that the best and most healthy practice is to think about yourself as little as possible and instead become absorbed by causes and activities outside of yourself.
"T More...
Some people consider self-love or self-esteem the counter to or cure for self-loathing. Russell makes a very compelling argument that self-esteem and self-loathing are merely flip sides of the same coin of self-absorption. Russell argues that the best and most healthy practice is to think about yourself as little as possible and instead become absorbed by causes and activities outside of yourself.
"T More...
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Feb 27, 2010
Craig
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I'd first heard of Bertrand Russell as one of Bill Hicks's favorite authors (the next one being Mark Twain), and decided to give Mr. Russell a shot by reading a collection of essays titled "Why I am Not a Christian". I was enthralled by Russell's eloquent, yet straight-forward writing. This is a guy who is quotable in nearly every paragraph. So when I found of a book of his at work called "The Conquest of Happiness", I was elated to give it a read.
While I did More...
While I did More...
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Feb 01, 2008
Scott
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Basically a more intelligent form of the self-help book with keener insights into the sources of happiness and unhappiness and less flattery and fluff. Not a bad read if you think you're unhappy. Also not a bad read if you are happy and just want a better idea of what makes people tick.
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Jan 21, 2012
A
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Bertrand Russell's books really are like the Bible for atheists. I've never heard such a hopeful philosophy for life for someone who does not believe in an ever after. Misery is not the burden of intelligence. That is a sham. Happiness must be sought after, like all good things in life, by developing an interest outside of ourselves, in our fellow man, in objects, in hobbies. This is true for the intellectual atheist as much as for someone with a simple heart and mind. Knowledge of oblivion does
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Nov 21, 2009
umberto
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I read this second-hand hardcover (1930) bought at the National Book Fair XXXVI in Bangkok in 2008 and found Russell's views on happiness practical and witty. Russell famously wrote so clearly and contributively to the world that he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1950 (another similar case is, I think, Sir Winston Churchill), therefore, his writing style is still worth studying and applying in one's narration.
Let me show you some interesting quotes from this book:
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Let me show you some interesting quotes from this book:
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Feb 27, 2008
Sam
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I read this book at a pivotal time in my life. It was an interesting reminder of things that get lost when we crawl into the closet with our skeletons.
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Jan 22, 2012
Niina
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I was completely taken aback by the fact that for a couple a days I was unable to lay this book off of my hands; The insides proved to be vastly different to my expectations. The style in which the book was written was clear and every claim, conclusion and all the speculations were ridiculously well justified and heavily based on common sense, which, together with the overall straightforwardness, is a point that enabled me to make it through with only a couple of frowns and to agree with the aut
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Mar 28, 2008
Tara
rated it: 
I was so excited to read this book, because I love Bertrand Russell. I still love Bertrand Russell. It's just too bad that his view of humanity is so narrow-minded in this work. His descriptions of people, of society make you go "whaaaaat?", and while it could be chalked up to the fact that it was written nearly eighty years ago, I think there's more to it. Russell displayed enormous depth and understanding when he wrote "A History of Western Philosophy" a decade later, and I
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Mar 23, 2008
Edward
rated it:
Renaissance-man-philosopher Bertrand Russell looks at (un)happiness. This book was a big influence on the very important Psychologist Albert Ellis. On the other hand, Wittgenstein thought that all of Russell's books aimed at the general public (of which this is one example), were crap. Some highlights:
PART ONE: CAUSES OF UNHAPPINESS
1) What makes people unhappy
- at 5, lamented that only lived 14th of life (now enjoy life)
- partly because dismissed certain objects More...
PART ONE: CAUSES OF UNHAPPINESS
1) What makes people unhappy
- at 5, lamented that only lived 14th of life (now enjoy life)
- partly because dismissed certain objects More...
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Jan 22, 2009
Ryan
rated it:
I've always enjoyed Bertrand Russell's writings. They are very straightforward and direct. This slim book carries on in that tradition. It's kind of quaintly humorous to read his view of the "modern woman" (the book was written in 1930). Russell shares my skepticism of the romantics, and I'm sure that could rub some the wrong way. But outside of all that, the book contains a lot of simple truths simply stated that most people know, but rarely follow. And is just a nice, simple rea
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Jun 18, 2008
Anna
rated it: 
I was not impressed. Seems to me he took his own experience and extrapolated to all of humanity. This tactic might have convinced unsuspecting male readers who could relate to at least some of what he had to say, but being a woman it was blatantly obvious to me, since I could relate to so little.
In a way that reminded me of Freud, Russell didn't even try to understand the female experience. He only mentioned once or twice how women's experience might be different from what he was de More...
In a way that reminded me of Freud, Russell didn't even try to understand the female experience. He only mentioned once or twice how women's experience might be different from what he was de More...
Dec 17, 2009
Seth
rated it:
this is an enjoyable book and i think would make mostly for good bedtime reading. russell writes humorously and sharply, and much of the message about finding happiness is not to think too much about it to begin with. fair enough. however, in terms of sophistication of thought, this is certainly a far cry from principia mathematica (they say after being critiqued by wittgenstein russell was never the same), and perhaps a little too far for my taste. then again, if you don't have such expectation
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Aug 26, 2011
Sam
rated it:
Bertrand Russell has a lot of timeless advice about the 'conquest of happiness' and how it is best achieved. However, I have read more modern books on the subject of happiness and peace of mind that I personally have found more inspiring and profound. For example, Eckhart Tolle's 'A New Earth' and A.C. Grayling's 'The Good Book.' Overall, I liked it but if you do read it, be prepared for some dated ideas about race and gender.
Oct 22, 2011
Alexander
rated it:
Bertrand Russell
The Conquest of Happiness
Routledge Classics, Paperback, 2006.
8vo. xiv, 183 pp. Preface to the Routledge Classics Edition by A.C. Grayling, 2006 [vii-xi]. Preface by Russell, 1930 [xiii].
First published, 1930.
Contents
Preface to the Routledge Classics Edition
Preface by Bertrand Russell
I. Causes of Unhappiness
1. What Makes People Unhappy?
2. Byronic Unhappiness
3. Competition
4. More...
The Conquest of Happiness
Routledge Classics, Paperback, 2006.
8vo. xiv, 183 pp. Preface to the Routledge Classics Edition by A.C. Grayling, 2006 [vii-xi]. Preface by Russell, 1930 [xiii].
First published, 1930.
Contents
Preface to the Routledge Classics Edition
Preface by Bertrand Russell
I. Causes of Unhappiness
1. What Makes People Unhappy?
2. Byronic Unhappiness
3. Competition
4. More...
Jan 16, 2012
Praveen
rated it:
An excellent introduction to the vast ocean called philosophy. The book is an easy read, nonetheless can introduce the uninitiated reader to philosophical temperament and does so with nonchalance.
One is often inspired by this book to look into more formal and rigorous books on philosophy.
One is often inspired by this book to look into more formal and rigorous books on philosophy.
Jan 24, 2011
Chas
rated it:
When I read this book, I was suicidal. I really didn't see any point in living anymore, if living meant a continuation of the bullying and heartache that had dominated my life. Russell saved me. He let me know that being different was okay; that it was, in fact, often laudable.
Dec 18, 2008
Mark
rated it:
I had read a little about Bertrand Russell, and I was excited to find one of his books in the Korean bookstore so I bought it. I think he makes some good points, but his musings are clearly subjective and limited to his post-Victorian perspective. As such, most of what he says in this book seems pretty dated. That said, I think I'll give him another chance and read some of his other writings before passing final judgment.
Jul 22, 2010
April
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This book is filled with suggestions for living happily. One of the most helpful pieces of advice was to keep interests in people and things as wide as possible. Russell also extols the virtues of living a quiet life as opposed to one of continuous excitement.
Jun 17, 2009
Peggy
rated it:
i do not like self-help books but i LOVED this book and highly recommend. it's not about how to change what you DO or HAVE in order to be happy - it's about how to find happiness now.....in the things you have, the things you see and the people around you.
Apr 05, 2010
Christina
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"The secret to happiness is this: let your interests be as wide as possible, and let your reactions to the things and persons that interest you be as far as possible friendly rather than hostile." pg.109
Jan 04, 2012
Tom
rated it:
Full of the juiciest advice, most of which accords with my own experienced. Marred by some weird 19th century shit about women, and a strange comment about 'the white races'.
Jan 13, 2010
Kressel
rated it:
It's been years since I read this, but I remember getting a lot out of it at the time. That was before I was really a committed Jew, though, so I don't know what I'd say now.
