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The Geography of Bliss Paperback – January 5, 2009

by Eric Weiner (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 2,018 ratings
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Now a new series on Peacock with Rainn Wilson, THE GEOGRAPHY OF BLISS is part travel memoir, part humor, and part twisted self-help guide that takes the viewer across the globe to investigate not what happiness is, but WHERE it is.

Are people in Switzerland happier because it is the most democratic country in the world? Do citizens of Qatar, awash in petrodollars, find joy in all that cash? Is the King of Bhutan a visionary for his initiative to calculate Gross National Happiness? Why is Asheville, North Carolina so damn happy?

In a unique mix of travel, psychology, science and humor, Eric Weiner answers those questions and many others, offering travelers of all moods some interesting new ideas for sunnier destinations and dispositions.
 
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  1. Print length
    345 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    January 5, 2009
  4. Dimensions
    5.25 x 0.92 x 8 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    044669889X
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0446698894
  7. See all details
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From the Publisher

The Geography of Bliss

The Geography of Bliss

The Geography of Bliss

The Geography of Bliss

Editorial Reviews

Review

"With one single book, Eric Weiner has flushed Bill Bryson down a proverbial toilet, and I say that lovingly. By turns hilarious and profound, this is the kind of book that could change your life. The relationship between place and contentment is an ineffable one, and Weiner cuts through the fog with a big, powerful light. The Geography of Bliss is no smiley-face emoticon, it's a Winslow Homer."
―Henry Alford, author of Municipal Bondage and Big Kiss

"Part travelogue, part personal-discovery memoir and all sustained delight, this wise, witty ramble reads like Paul Theroux channeling David Sedaris on a particularly good day..... Fresh and beguiling."

―Kirkus Reviews

"Laugh. Think. Repeat. Repeatedly. If someone told me this book was this good, I wouldn't have believed them."―Po Bronson, author of What Should I Do With My Life?

"Think Don Quixote with a dark sense of humor and a taste for hashish and you begin to grasp Eric Weiner, the modern knight-errant of this mad, sad, wise, and witty quest across four continents. I won't spoil the fun by telling if his mission succeeds, except to say that happiness is reading a book as entertaining as this."―Tony Horwitz, author of Confederates in the Attic

About the Author

Eric Weiner is author of the New York Times bestseller The Geography of Bliss, which has been translated into eighteen languages. A former correspondent for NPR and the New York Times, Weiner has reported from more than three dozen countries. His work has appeared in the New Republic, Slate, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Foreign Policy, the New York Times Magazine, and the anthology, Best American Travel Writing. He divides his time between Starbucks and Caribou.

Read more about Eric Weiner at www.ericweinerbooks.com.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Twelve; Reprint edition (January 5, 2009)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 345 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 044669889X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0446698894
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 0.92 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 2,018 ratings

About the author

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Eric Weiner

Eric Weiner

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Eric Weiner is author of the New York Times bestsellers The Geography of Bliss and The Geography of Genius, as well as the critically acclaimed Man Seeks God and, his latest book, The Socrates Express: In Search of Life Lessons from Dead Philosophers. A former foreign correspondent for NPR, he has reported from more than three dozen countries. His work has appeared in the New Republic, The Atlantic, National Geographic, The Wall Street Journal, and the anthology "Best American Travel Writing." He lives in Silver Spring, MD with his wife and daughter. For more information, visit: www.ericweinerbooks.com

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
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Top reviews from the United States

Camber
5.0 out of 5 stars A Genuine Masterpiece!
Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2009
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If you're interested in the study of happiness, this book is for you. If you're interested in cultural geography, this book is also for you. And if you're interested in both of these subjects (like me), this book may very well be a dream come true for you, the kind of book you always wished someone would write, but doubted that it would happen.

This is actually one of the very best books I've ever come across on ANY subject. Eric Weiner is a spellbinding storyteller who kept me on the edge of my seat as I listened to his tales of world travels in a quest to understand happiness. Along the way, he effortlessly draws on an impressive erudition as he seamlessly weaves in insights not only from the "science" of happiness, but also a diverse range of relevant philosophy (both Western and Eastern) and other disciplines. And last but not least, though he claims that he's unhappy and calls himself a grump, he's very likable, very witty, and VERY funny!

While it would be great if Weiner could end the book by presenting a simple magic key to happiness, those of us who have already traveled similar roads ourselves know that such an expectation/hope is probably unrealistic. Instead, we learn (or are reminded) that the truth appears to be more subtle and complex. For example: (a) happiness isn't a "thing" we can capture (like money), and it's remarkably hard to pin down just what happiness actually is, (b) there appear to be many roads to happiness (whatever it is), both personally and culturally, and finding a road that suits you seems to be important, (c) happiness may be something that just happens to us, based on how we live our multifaceted lives, rather than something we can deliberately pursue (again, like money), and (d) our proper highest aims may be different from happiness or may transcend it, and seem to involve relationships and love.

But don't let the above conclusions underwhelm you or steer you away from this book. Weiner unfolds a richly enlightening and entertaining tapestry which is not to be missed and goes beyond anything which can be adequately compressed into a summary, as is the case with all great literature. No, this book isn't an exhaustive or systematic study of either happiness or cultural geography, nor does it pretend to be, but it does offer a uniquely valuable contribution positioned at the intersection of these subjects.

Finally, please note that I joined Weiner on this journey via the 12-hour unabridged audiobook, and I found it to be a perfect format for this book, narrated flawlessly and sincerely by Weiner himself. So I especially recommend the audiobook, though I plan to read the print version also (yes, this book is that good).
10 people found this helpful
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Christine Celozzi
4.0 out of 5 stars This made it an obstacle to enjoy the beginning piece of the memoir
Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2016
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It's very difficult to empathize with Eric in the beginning of his journey as it's very clear he holds quite a pessimistic perspective. This made it an obstacle to enjoy the beginning piece of the memoir; however, I was compelled to continue reading in an effort to collect information while on my own path to maintaining happiness. As you move forward throughout the story, there are bits of wisdom that come from engaging in each chapter and learning about the happiness, or even lack thereof, that each culture maintains. It's rather awakening and particularly fascinating as you travel from country to country diving into areas outside of tourism and into the heart of the truth. This book is great for anyone who is looking to become more familiar with ways to appropriately connect with the world outside of where they are currently residing.
2 people found this helpful
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Sherry Alongi
5.0 out of 5 stars Very, very funny
Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2011
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I downloaded the sample on an airplane right before takeoff. I came across the title accidentally when it was listed with some travel books. I had done a search for travel books to Europe and was hoping to find something that was not an antiseptic Yellow Pages directing me to tourist traps or written from the perspective of someone with all the money in the world, pretending to live the simple life in the hills of Tuscany in their very expensive "country home" pretending to live like those who really did produce the artisan cheeses and fresh fruits and vegetables they hail.

Being that the author had worked for NPR, I was a tad bit skeptical about how funny and witty it would really be, despite the reviews. When I have listened to NPR in the past I have had to be in a very tolerant mood to listen to pseudo intellectuals who take themselves way to seriously, but might have a point to make about some topic, but haven't a clue about the real lives of people, anywhere, particularly this country. Most often this "opportunity" has presented itself, while taking a long road trip up I-81 through Appalachia and the only radio stations with a strong enough signal to get through were either NPR or an evangelical preacher. I know, it is sometimes hard to tell the difference, but NPR tends to play more classical music, which I like, and in that particular region, some bluegrass too, which I enjoy, if it doesn't have too much commentary by Johnny-Come-Lately experts who probably grew up somewhere in Greenwich, CT.

The author got my attention and tickled my funny bone immediately and the only thing I regretted was not having downloaded the whole thing, so I would have not finished before the flight was over. As soon as the plane's wheels hit the ground, I downloaded the whole thing and have continued to read it, when I have had time. I just finished it last night. It did not disappoint.

It is just what the doctor ordered at a time in my life, when all the "forces of evil" from our demagoguing politicians to trying to run a legitimate business in a climate of kleptocracy, in addition to having to deal with the life and death decisions one has to make as caretaker for our elderly parents.

Light-hearted and clever, while still being introspective and honest with himself, the author did a good job without being judgmental about the different paths people take in their fleeting search or non-search for happiness or in the case of Moldovians, unhappiness.
5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars The book provides perspective!
Reviewed in the Netherlands on March 15, 2024
Verified Purchase
Loved the writing style and the content of the book. Eric manages to communicate serious conversations in a humorous way and I feel instantly feel clicked with the ironies but end up smiling about it. I find the content of the book extremely relatable, to my own life as a researcher, traveler and as a yoga instructor. The book is written with a practical yet explorative mind-set and delusional advices are not thrown at the readers.

I received a copy this morning and have already read a good portion of it. Definitely recommend for others to read this book.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Bella scoperta
Reviewed in Italy on May 4, 2022
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Bel libro, in un inglese relativamente semplice da capire
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Carlos Caballero García
5.0 out of 5 stars A hilarious yet serious trip to happiness
Reviewed in Mexico on August 6, 2019
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I read his book 'The Geography of Genius' and now this precious book about a topic as complex as simple. At the end you will know that bliss is not in or out there, is everywhere and nowhere, and your community values
help a lot to make it sustainable.
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Rebecca Wemyss
5.0 out of 5 stars Must read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 2, 2019
Verified Purchase
Absolutely loved this book, it made me fall in love with non-fiction and also inspired me to travel to Bhutan. The premise of researching happiness is fascinating and the author writes extremely well balancing facts and opinions in an entertaining way. Highly reccommend for anyone who loves travel, psychology or culture.
One person found this helpful
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Merino De Tiedra Juan
5.0 out of 5 stars Strange happiness and where to find it
Reviewed in France on January 10, 2019
Verified Purchase
Weiner describes with humour, in a critical, funny way, where he found happiness and where he found none. He does it with a clear, easy-to-read style, inviting the reader to go to all the different places he discovered and concluding that happiness is finally.... No, read better by yourself in the book! ;-)
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