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The Conquest of Happiness 1st Edition, Kindle Edition

by Bertrand Russell (Author), Daniel C. Dennett (Introduction) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,178 ratings
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“Should be read by every parent, teacher, minister, and Congressman in the land.”—The Atlantic


In The Conquest of Happiness, first published by Liveright in 1930, iconoclastic philosopher Bertrand Russell attempted to diagnose the myriad causes of unhappiness in modern life and chart a path out of the seemingly inescapable malaise so prevalent even in safe and prosperous Western societies. More than eighty years later, Russell’s wisdom remains as true as it was on its initial release. Eschewing guilt-based morality, Russell lays out a rationalist prescription for living a happy life, including the importance of cultivating interests outside oneself and the dangers of passive pleasure. In this new edition, best-selling philosopher Daniel C. Dennett reintroduces Russell to a new generation, stating that Conquest is both “a fascinating time capsule” and “a prototype of the flood of self-help books that have more recently been published, few of them as well worth reading today as Russell’s little book.”
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  1. ISBN-13
    978-0871406736
  2. Edition
    1st
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Liveright
  5. Publication date
    August 5, 2013
  6. Language
    English
  7. File size
    1320 KB
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

'He writes what he calls common sense, but is in fact uncommon wisdom.' - The Observer



'He writes what he calls common sense, but is in fact uncommon wisdom.' - The Observer

'Commended strongly in these days of false values and confused thinking.' - The Listener

'As a guide to cheerfulness, Russell could not be bettered.' - News Chronicle

About the Author

Bertrand Russell (1872-1970). A celebrated mathematician and logician, Russell was and remains one of the most genuinely widely read and popular philosophers of modern times.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0178KCA3E
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Liveright; 1st edition (August 5, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 5, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1320 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 214 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,178 ratings

About the author

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Bertrand Russell

Bertrand Russell

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Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970). Philosopher, mathematician, educational and sexual reformer, pacifist, prolific letter writer, author and columnist, Bertrand Russell was one of the most influential and widely known intellectual figures of the twentieth century. In 1950 he was awarded the Noble Prize for Literature in 1950 for his extensive contributions to world literature and for his "rationality and humanity, as a fearless champion of free speech and free thought in the West."

Photo by Photographer not identified (Bertrand Russell (1916). Justice in War-Time.) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.

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4.5 out of 5 stars
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1,178 global ratings
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Top reviews from the United States

David Bocek
5.0 out of 5 stars Bertrand Russell's Classic About Happiness Being A Choice...
Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2020
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A great Philosopher wrote a great book about happiness as more of a choice than anything else. Russell did not buy into the theories of depression. One way of looking at the book is the idea of reducing your needs in this world. Simplifying your life is a theory that Russell would agree with. To him happiness is a moral imperative of society & the individual. I would not agree with the man's political views. I am no Socialist. But I do agree with his social views on life & the attitude that one needs in this world. Another way of looking at the book is through the "lens" of the power of positive thinking. I never read Norman V. Peale, but Russell has similar views on many things. It's a must read for those who are unhappy & possibly unfulfilled in this world. I consider myself happy but still found the book highly interesting. I actually found out about the book by watching a Philosophy student talk about Philosophy theories & Philosophers on I think You Tube. The only Philosopher I have read a lot about was Aristotle, & I read a lot of his books/theories. It says a lot about a book, when people are still reading it 90 years after it was published.
19 people found this helpful
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Tarek Zaher
5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Introduction to Russell and Philosophy
Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2017
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Bertrand Russel's concise, easy-to-follow, but humbly profound writing is displayed beautifully in this simple book. He claims in the beginning that he is not attempting to put forth a rigorous, end-all-be-all philosophical examination of happiness, rather he sets out merely to share his unique and insightful impressions based on his own personal experiences and penetrating observations throughout his long and vigilant life.

The book is divided into two straightforward sections: "Causes of Unhappines" and "Causes of Happiness". Each section has several chapters devoted to different sources of either unhappiness or it's opposite. The wonderful thing about this organizational structure is that the depressed nihilist can easily flip to the chapter titled "Byronic Unhappiness" for a quick cure based on Russel's quintessential reasoning and logic. The exhausted workaholic can turn to Chapter 3, "Competition", for a sobering reminder that "...success can only be one ingredient in happiness, and is too dearly purchased if all the other ingredients have been sacrificed to obtain it." And even the most self-assured and stable reader is likely to find a diagnostic that rings true for them within the books pages.

Overall, the prudent yet illuminating content of this uncomplicated book makes it a magnificent introduction to Russell's work, and indeed all of philosophy for that matter.
6 people found this helpful
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N. Mozahem
4.0 out of 5 stars A great read
Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2009
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By looking at the title, one would think that this is just another book that is filled with truisms and that doesn't increase your knowledge about the subject. However, all this changes once you see who the author is. Personally, I can't say that I agree with Mr. Russell about his philosophy of life, but that didn't reduce the pleasure that I felt while reading the book. This book accomplishes in just a few pages what most people fail to do all their life. Russell shows that happiness is a simple thing and that contrary to what many believe, it can be found in today's complicated world. The reason that most people haven't found happiness in their life, although it is simple, is that they have been looking in the wrong direction. This book points you in the right direction. I would recommend this book to everyone. It's very short and very enjoyable. Reading this book doesn't mean that you will find happiness for sure, but at least you will know what it is.
6 people found this helpful
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Ambiorix Monsanto
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2024
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It changes lives
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Denis
5.0 out of 5 stars Must-read book for everyone
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2019
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Bertrand Russell wrote this masterpiece almost a century ago, yet it is valid today in its full length. It is actually mind-blowing how little has changed in society and human nature in such a long time. Inner complex workings of the mind and emotions that create dysfunctional behavior and therefore prevent us from connecting with others and enjoying living are explained simply, directly and thoroughly. Value of the material is very high considering how short this book is, you can read it in matter of hours, but what you learn will serve you forever. Publication explains complex aspects in a way that is very easy to understand. This work represents philosophical and psychological excellence and has been written to the highest standard in self-help publications. I recommend this book to everyone, because everyone can learn something from it.
17 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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alvin hunte
5.0 out of 5 stars Speed of delivery
Reviewed in Canada on February 16, 2021
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Educational material and delivered in a timely manner. Very pleased with the service.
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT
Reviewed in India on August 16, 2022
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Despite poor printing, ie, fading ink, the book in itself is excellent, thought provoking and what not. Long live Russell.
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win07
4.0 out of 5 stars enjoyable reading and highly recommended
Reviewed in Germany on July 25, 2022
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As a fan of Jordan Peterson, i discoved this Book by chance. Reading it gave me the feeling : why havent I read this Book 50 years earlier, written by a man with such clarity of mind. I would have save a few of life's detours.
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Fabíola Ferr
5.0 out of 5 stars Inteligência profunda do autor. "Brilhância"
Reviewed in Brazil on November 11, 2019
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A verdadeira bíblia ética.
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javier
5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente
Reviewed in Mexico on June 14, 2017
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Una fiesta de sentido común aplicado a los problemas del día a día por una de las grandes mentes del siglo XX. Inteligencia y claridad en su máxima expresión.
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