The Conquest Of Happiness

BOOK REVIEW

Book The Conquest of Happiness

Edited By Bertrand Russell

Reproduced by Ali Majeed Printers ( Regd )

8-C Darbar Market Lahore

For Army Education Press

Number of Pages 25

1. Introduction. In this book the writer has discussed the reasons of people being unhappy and has given the guidelines to remain happy. Recipes offered by the writer are based on his experiences and observations which have increased his happiness whenever he had acted in accordance with them. People, who suffer unhappiness without enjoying it, may find their situation diagnosed and a method of escape suggested. It is a well directed effort which is helpful to make unhappy people happy. The book has two parts; in first part causes of unhappiness and in the second part the causes of happiness are discussed.

2. The Book - Parts and Chapters in Outline. The book has following chapters:-

a. Part I - Causes of Unhappiness

(1) Chapter I What makes people unhappy?

(2) Chapter II Byronic Unhappiness

(3) Chapter III Competition

(4) Chapter IV Boredom and Excitement

(5) Chapter V Fatigue

(6) Chapter VI Envy

(7) Chapter VII The Sense of Sin

(8) Chapter VIII Persecution Mania

(9) Chapter IX Fear of Public Opinion

b. Part II - Causes of Happiness

(1) Chapter X Is Happiness Still Possible?

(2) Chapter XI Zest

(3) Chapter XII Affection

(4) Chapter XIII The Family

(5) Chapter XIV Work

(6) Chapter XV Impersonal Interests

(7) Chapter XVI Effort and Resignation

(8) Chapter XVII The Happy Man

Review of the Book

3. There are certain conditions of mind which makes an individual unhappy. Narcissist and megalomaniac, when face the bitter reality, mostly remain unhappy. People who think others as wise and think that they have not seen the enthusiasm of earlier time are also unhappy. The survival of fittest has made the human a machine who is so busy in the quest of success has forgotten to enjoy the life. Life, far away from the natural course, has contributed towards the unhappiness. Over fatigued individuals are also those who have not time to enjoy their life. Envy is a natural emotion which has negative effects on human life