The Five Thieves of Happiness

By: John B. Izzo Ph.D

Narrated by: Tom Dheere

Length: 3 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's Summary

From best-selling author John Izzo comes this practical and inspirational guide. He shows that happiness is our natural state and explores five "thieves" that rob us of that innate sense of contentment.

A few years ago, Izzo was puzzled that he didn't feel happier. He was a successful consultant, a much-in-demand speaker, and a best-selling author. Sure, he'd had some setbacks and disappointments, but he knew enough to know he had it pretty good. And, as he shows in this book, both ancient wisdom and modern neuroscience say that we're naturally happy - it's our default setting. So why didn't it seem to be his?

Izzo went on a journey - a kind of pilgrimage - to try to understand what was going on. Reflecting as he walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain and spent time in the deserts of Morocco and in the Peruvian Andes, he began to identify five mental thought patterns that take our happiness from us. He calls them the five thieves of happiness: the thief of control, the thief of conceit, the thief of coveting, the thief of consumption, and the thief of comfort.

Drawing on recent psychological research, the world's spiritual traditions, and personal stories from his journey, Izzo describes the disguises these thieves wear, the tools they use to break into our hearts, and what we can do to lock them out once and for all. He shows how the same five thieves that rob us of our personal happiness are destroying society as well. This book will help us all discover, develop, and defend the happiness that is naturally ours as human beings while finding ways to create a world we all want to live in.

©2017 John Izzo, PhD (P)2017 John Izzo, PhD

Endless sermonizing killed it

I kept losing track of the topic due to the author's endless spiraling tangents with politics, personal anecdotes and social views layered in. If I hadn't volunteered to listen, I would have stopped even earlier. From boredom. The author obviously worked hard on this. I simply couldn't bear to sit through the last hour.

Pros: Highly educated author references other faiths than Christianity on a regular basis. Thank you!
Obviously well-researched, if not well organized.

Cons: Combined with the narrator's textbook style (great voice, but read in a voice suited to calculus or chemistry lectures), this became the sermon from Hades.

The author's perpetual sermonizing and politicizing became painful after a few hours. Imagine the dullest, most wandering sociology lecture you ever sat through...

Takeaway: I found my own happiness by analyzing where this text went wrong so that I try to avoid putting anyone else through such an endless session of torturously tangled tangents.

I was really looking forward to listening to this as the author has other offerings out that with good reviews. Hopes dashed, alas. Unless you're a fan, pass on this one.

“I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.”

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Layperson enlightenment presented in the reverse

He takes concepts from Buddhism , Sikhism and Christianity and pulls out their teachings on the way we humans falter in keeping our innate happiness . He presented it in 5 chapters with 5 thieves of happiness. What I found missing in this book, was a discussion on the way we pursue self soothing , whether that is eating, drinking, sex, shopping, or anger outbursts. These steal happiness, most certainly

Great Self-help Book on Audio

Any additional comments?

I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom. I fully enjoyed listening to this self-help book. It's just under 4 hours and so it's a perfect length to listen while driving, multi-tasking, or while going to sleep. I plan to have this audiobook as a regular listen while going to sleep in place of affirmations. The narrator has a very pleasant voice and did a great job bringing the written word to a portable medium that can be listened to regularly to help us be our better selves. Listening regularly to this audiobook will help me to let go and remember what truly makes me happy. I hope I can get others around me to do the same. I highly recommend this audiobook!

Unfortunately, this book was a thief of time.

I know that most people reading reviews don't care to hear Christianity brought into the comment section. However, I think it is worth stating for those that may be interested, this author likes to speak of "spiritual" related concepts pretty frequently. If you consider yourself a conservative, Bible-believing person--I don't think this book is worth the effort. I found my boredom generally being interrupted by his spiritual "insights" that I generally found to be totally off base.
This review copy audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost.

Kept me glued and drawn in....

Any additional comments?

I loved this book. It was so true every time the author presented a particular "thief to happiness. " It resonated well with me and I wanted to listen in one sitting. The author connected well with the listener.

"This review copy audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost."

Insightful, causing reflection soul-searching

TARGET AUDIENCE: This is the type of self-help book which causes the reader to do reflection and soul-searching. It isn’t the “follow these steps and your life will be great.” If you are interested in doing some self-examination and contemplation this is an amazing book.

STORY: The author is a story teller. The lessons that he imparts come as he tells his story. This winding path, may be off-putting for some, but I found it wonderful. Terrific insights.

NARRATOR: The narrator really made this book come alive. The flow and prosody of the book truly brought the book to life.

OVERALL: A thought provoking book. I thoroughly loved it.

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Enjoyed it!

loved listening and narrator was great! I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Enjoyable and enlightening

Enjoyable book, nicely narrated, with insights into the happiness killers in our lives. Most of us would not be surprised by the list but insights into the mechanisms behind the five thieves are eye opening. Highly recommend. This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review.

Did Not resonate

I got this book via audiobook boom. This book did not speak to me. I awaken every morning thanking God for what He has done and making myself available for His kingdom building. The way I feel has nothing to do with happiness. It is plain joy! That is something that can only be given and received. No matter what the world spouts I believe that my joy comes from Jesus and that makes me see the world through a different set of lens. Happiness always seems to be tied to happenings and I don't equate it to joy.

2 of 4 people found this review helpful

So very logical and enlightening

What made the experience of listening to The Five Thieves of Happiness the most enjoyable?

I kept thinking 'yep, I do that', listening to it was an eye opening experience. Its given me a lot to think about and I'm going to be working on a few things in here over the next 30 days before I listen to it again and pick more things to work on.

What about Tom Dheere’s performance did you like?

The narration was really smooth and consistent, it was lovely to listen to.

Any additional comments?

This book was just what I've been needing. It offers examples from different religions of the world as well as giving actionable points, a great mix.

Note: I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the narrator/author/publisher in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful