Happiness Is a Serious Problem

A Human Nature Repair Manual

By: Dennis Prager

Narrated by: Jeff Riggenbach

Length: 5 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

When you ask people about their most cherished values in life, "happiness" is always at the top of the list. But surprisingly, few people claim real happiness. We seem to be completely satisfied with nothing, and indeed, there is little correlation between the circumstances of people's lives and how happy they are.

In this book, lecturer, theologian, philosopher, and Los Angeles radio personality Dennis Prager ruminates on what makes happiness such a serious problem to solve. He discusses the difference between happiness and success, and between happiness and fun, and how to adjust our expectations of life. Prager maintains that insatiable human nature makes lasting happiness profoundly difficult to achieve, but that nevertheless, it can be a reality. When happiness is treated with the same level of seriousness that people bring to life’s other tasks, it becomes immediately more tangible and thus achievable.

©1998 Dennis Prager (P)1998 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Astonishing...anyone who feels unhappy more than he would like will benefit from reading this book." ( Wall Street Journal)

"Prager's latest book challenges readers to realize that they—not any outside force—are the greatest obstacle to happiness.” ( Los Angeles Times)

Changed my life!

One of, if not the best book I've listened to. I was blown away at how the philosophies just make sense. A friend who's almost in his 60's recommended this book to me; I'm in my mid 30's. We come from MUCH different backgrounds, generations, education and income levels. That tells me that these ideas are universal. I really enjoyed that the author is religious but not pushy. I grew up in a religious home but am now atheist. I was never bothered or annoyed by the (minimal) Jewish references. I will be recommending this book to everyone I know, including my Mormon friends and therapist. I wasn't a huge fan of the reader, but the subject matter helped me get over it. I was hooked from the beginning and finished the book quickly. This is definitely something I will listen to more than once.

Wish Prager would narrate this...

What did you love best about Happiness Is a Serious Problem?

Love the content of this book, it was my first introduction to Dennis Prager many years ago - back then, on cassette tape.

However, Dennis really should have narrated his own book. The narrator is adequate, clear but seriously lacks the personality and intonation of Prager. Prager's clever lines fall flat in this version.

It is still very worth the time to listen, for content.

Lots to think about!

Very thought provoking work, if you are a deep thinker. I enjoyed learning about happiness and this book taught me more about myself.
I did think the author did a disservice to "secular" people with generalizations about the group as a whole. Assuming that because they are secular they believe life is meaningless, goes too far.

I have a crush on Dennis' brain!

I love this man's brain! He always delivers thought provoking subjects. I had my 11and 8 year old daughters listen to this with me. They looked forward to hearing the book when we got into the car and it started some interesting conversations between us.

the audio cannot be listened to as you read the bo

It needs to be made clear that the audio and text cannot be synced before a customer buys this audio. defeats the purpose for me. I wish audible would just go away.

very nice treatment of happiness.

being there is a wash of books on seeking happiness and a large portion of those new age trash, to find one authentic and wise is a treat.This book seems to me a real treat.I agree greatly with all but one chapter in this book.That chapter is on unconditional love with God,yet even this mr.Prager handles as his opinion only based on his Jewish possition.I highly respect this even though I do not experience the Love of God as non-unconditional as he does. yet his opinion does contains wisdom gems within it,for I agree that the idea of unconditional love is often used and abused out of context .I very much like this author and thinker.He goes straight to first principles again and again.I beleive you will like this book and if by its teaching your a little more happy,isnt that worth a credit..hope you enjoy...

Good book but hard to listen to.

The book had a lot of excellent wisdom, but the narrator made it monotonous. Kind of like the teacher in Ferris Bueller's Day Off. "Bueller... Bueller...Bueller."

Good Insight, Prager needed to make delivery

Good Message and Insight But I would have liked better if it had been read by Dennis Pragar himself,

Happiness review

love the logic,so much wisdom! will likely listen more than once. the reader is too monotone in my opinion

must read

fantastic book on the differnce vetween happiness and fun, explains how anyone can fill their life with happiness, a must read