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)

Great

I loved it. Well worth the read. You're in control of your own mental wellbeing.

Excellent read!

Makes sense the entire book. Great points. Definitely recommending to my family and friends. Thank you!

Concise, yet wide-ranging coverage

Happiness is my forte and I research every good book I can find. This one is a treasure trove of realistic, implementable thoughts, ideas and admonitions. It seemed as if Dennis Prager himself were narrating, so good was the narrator. Worth a second listen in a few months, I added it to my FAVS collection.

Can't wait to give it a second listen!

Dennis, as usual, is on point! There is a lot of great takeaways in this book. This book is definitely worth multiple listenings. I may even pick up a physical copy that I will, no doubt, be highlighting and underlining. If you struggle with happiness or just searching for a different outlook on life then check this book out!

must read for all

who doesn't want to be happy? read this to understand what happiness is and more importantly is not.

Wonderful material.

it really was wonderful material but it was read by and narrator with a very robotic voice. I would have loved to hear Dennis narrate the book with the intended inflection.

Good book to make you think

Dennis Prager reminds us that we are responsible for our own happiness. The narrator was good, but I would have enjoyed Dennis reading this a little more. it was a good book to make you think.

I'm glad I considered listening to the book

I appreciate it. I'll say I agreed with perhaps around 85 to 90% of it. I considered this man a lot more moralistic but it seems like he presents beliefs that can be kind of Gray. nevertheless I can relate to many perspectives in the manner in which he decides to present his points. he is to the point and he doesn't take a lot of time and says what he needs to say in a short amount of time. so I feel as if it is educational and reasonable. Except that one of his last chapters seemed farfetch and unmoralistic to what I could relate to so I only listen to half of it and I skipped it.

This was a really valuable book and I’m definitely gonna read it again and again

I thought this was a really awesome book. It was very insightful just about basic principles on how to be happier more often. I definitely would like to re-read it or re-audiobook it several times as I feel that there are many golden nuggets that I could really dial-in on and improve in my life. My mom has been encouraging me to read this book like forever and I’m grateful that I had the chance to get through it and I definitely recommend it to friends and family

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...