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Bertrand Russell
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The Conquest of Happiness Paperback – August 5, 2013

by Bertrand Russell (Author), Daniel C. Dennett (Introduction)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,234 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. Print length
    224 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Liveright
  4. Publication date
    August 5, 2013
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.6 x 8.3 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    087140673X
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0871406736
  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

About the Author

Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) was born in England and educated at Trinity College, Cambridge. His long career established him as one of the most influential philosophers, mathematicians, and social reformers of the twentieth century.

Daniel C. Dennett (1942–2024) was University Professor Emeritus at Tufts University and the author of numerous books, including Intuition Pumps and Other Tools for Thinking, Breaking the Spell, Darwin’s Dangerous Idea, and Consciousness Explained.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Liveright; 1st edition (August 5, 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 087140673X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0871406736
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.3 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,234 ratings

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Bertrand Russell

Bertrand Russell

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4.5 out of 5 stars
1,234 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book provides insights and wisdom on living. They describe it as a great read with clear writings and smart words.

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InsightReadabilityEase of understanding
50 customers mention "Insight"46 positive4 negative

Customers find the book insightful and engaging. They appreciate its wisdom and clear ideas on living. The book tackles issues relevant to an adult's life, providing useful advice on dealing with everyday problems. Readers describe the definition as accurate and clear. Overall, they consider it a worthwhile read that offers valuable insights.

"...Although Russell was from a different era, many of his thoughts are refreshingly modern, and his prose is as timeless as ever...." Read more

"...I consider myself happy but still found the book highly interesting...." Read more

"...Indeed, Russell shows himself redolent in wisdom, the true aim of philosophy, and tackles issues that are at the core of what constitutes happiness..." Read more

"...The definition is engaging, accurate, clear and is to some extent a good read...." Read more

46 customers mention "Readability"43 positive3 negative

Customers find the book engaging and enjoyable to read. They appreciate the insightful content and consider it a classic that can be read at any time. The chapter on boredom is well-received, and the value of the material is high considering the book's short length.

"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...." Read more

"...a most excellent book." This praise is not unwarranted, and given that commonsense is the center of the whole enterprise, its wisdom will..." Read more

"...'s writing style is easygoing, and this book is definitely worth reading for anyone who has already found happiness in their life or not." Read more

"...The definition is engaging, accurate, clear and is to some extent a good read...." Read more

40 customers mention "Ease of understanding"34 positive6 negative

Customers appreciate the book's clear writing style and simple ideas. They find it an easy read with smart words. The book is not long and can be read in a few hours.

"...Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book; it was a quick read. If you think philosophy is stuffy, unrelatable, or abstruse, you haven’t read Russell...." Read more

"This is a classic book. Bertrand Russell's writing style is easygoing, and this book is definitely worth reading for anyone who has already found..." Read more

"...The definition is engaging, accurate, clear and is to some extent a good read...." Read more

"Bertrand Russel's concise, easy-to-follow, but humbly profound writing is displayed beautifully in this simple book...." Read more

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Top reviews from the United States

  • TheAA
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great read from one of the greats!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Although Bertrand Russell was first and foremost a mathematician, he was also a brilliant philosopher who wrote on various topics, happiness being one of them. Russell stands apart from many of his contemporaries in that his writing is candid, plain, and sometimes humorous. In this essay, Russell expounds on the different facets of happiness. He tells us we must spread our interests far and wide as possible for a more fulfilling life. He highlights the difference between what he considers superficial and fleeting happiness versus a form of happiness that is deeper and lasting. Russell also reminds us that our problems are not as significant as we make them out to be and to change our perspective by asking ourselves, what’s the worst that can happen? Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book; it was a quick read. If you think philosophy is stuffy, unrelatable, or abstruse, you haven’t read Russell. Although Russell was from a different era, many of his thoughts are refreshingly modern, and his prose is as timeless as ever. You’ll come away with a piece of wisdom that will help shift your perspective and get you thinking. Happy reading!
    4 people found this helpful
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  • 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
    Verified Purchase
    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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  • D. S. Heersink
    4.0 out of 5 stars Analytic Philosophy Meets Pop Psychology
    Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2001
    Verified Purchase
    This is a wonderful book, despite the passage of considerable time. Written shortly after WWI, there are occasional references to people and things no longer on the modern radar scope. And, as philosophical writing goes, Russell is better than most in constructing intelligible sentences and paragraphs that don't require repeated reading to understand.
    This book is about life. Russell uses his analytic empiricism to discuss typically pop-psychological issues: Boredom, Excitement, Envy, Sin, Persecution, Public Opinion, Zest, etc. But his approach, dated back in time, is refreshingly new and helpful in the present. Indeed, Russell shows himself redolent in wisdom, the true aim of philosophy, and tackles issues that are at the core of what constitutes happiness and its opposites.
    Because Russell appeals to his empirical views analytically arrived, there is a sense of wonderment and awe at such simple solutions to difficult problems in modern life. These solutions aren't dressed in pop-ism, but in a perennial philosophy that takes wisdom, not pop-up tapes of life, seriously.
    The Atlantic Monthly claimed this book to be a "primer of self-regeneration . . . a most excellent book." This praise is not unwarranted, and given that commonsense is the center of the whole enterprise, its wisdom will endure not only when it was written in the 1920s, but today, and tomorrow.
    63 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A short and helpful classic
    Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Gist is found in the book last paragraph:

    All unhappiness depends upon some kind of disintegration or lack of integration; there is disintegration within the self through lack of coordination between the conscious and the unconscious mind; there is lack of integration between the self and society where the two are not knit together by the force of objective interests and affections. The happy man is the man who does not suffer from either of these failures of unity, whose personality is neither divided against itself nor pitted against the world. Such a man feels himself a citizen of the universe, enjoying freely the spectacle that it offers and the joys that it affords, untroubled by the thought of death because he feels himself not really separate from those who will come after him.
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  • Ciprian D.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely worth reading
    Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2024
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    This is a classic book. Bertrand Russell's writing style is easygoing, and this book is definitely worth reading for anyone who has already found happiness in their life or not.
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  • win07
    4.0 out of 5 stars enjoyable reading and highly recommended
    Reviewed in Germany on July 25, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    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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  • javier
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente
    Reviewed in Mexico on June 14, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    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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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Must Must Read if one wants to retain his or her sanity...
    Reviewed in India on November 3, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This great philosopher of 20th century has written this master piece sometimes in 1930s and the book is a gem as it tackles the most fundamental issues confronting all of us- issues of envy, family and our over important perception of self. I would rate this book as one of the top 10 I have enjoyed ever.
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  • May
    5.0 out of 5 stars ... it as source material for a dystopian form of happiness and then for this book to be brought up ...
    Reviewed in Canada on December 1, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    The fact I watched Psycho-pass to learn about this book to learn that Gen Urobuchi used it as source material for a dystopian form of happiness and then for this book to be brought up in a psychology of game design course is more amusing than it should be.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Realistic advice on living
    Reviewed in Australia on November 20, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    This book exemplifies the importance of reflection when trying to give advice to others. While reading it, I can see that Russell did not write the book for the sake of filling the 'self-help' section in a book store, but he wrote with the earnest attention of sharing what he thought, after experiencing life and reflecting on it, a person must consider if he is to conquer happiness.

    Such a great book.
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