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The Conquest of Happiness Paperback – August 5, 2013

by Bertrand Russell (Author), Daniel C. Dennett (Introduction)
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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:

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Bertrand Russell

Bertrand Russell

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Aqib Junaid is an accomplished author known for their captivating storytelling and unique literary style. With a passion for genre or themes, they have crafted a collection of four thought-provoking works that have captured the hearts and minds of readers around the world

Born and raised in 1998, Aqib Junaid discovered their love for writing at a young age, using words as a means to express their imagination and explore the depths of human emotions. This early fascination with storytelling developed into a lifelong commitment to creating literary works that resonate with readers on a profound level.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,198 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book contains wisdom, practical, and everyday issues. They also appreciate the writing style as concise, easy to follow, and masterful at depicting human nature.

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RelevanceWriting style
40 customers mention "Relevance"40 positive0 negative

Customers find the book contains a lot of wisdom, intriguing, and helpful. They also say the principles remain valid and relevant, and find the text a simple breakdown of the sources of happiness. Customers also say it's an excellent writer and clear thinker.

"This is a classic book...." Read more

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

"...Russell shows that happiness is a simple thing and that contrary to what many believe, it can be found in today's complicated world...." Read more

"...Overall, the prudent yet illuminating content of this uncomplicated book makes it a magnificent introduction to Russell's work, and indeed all of..." Read more

32 customers mention "Writing style"25 positive7 negative

Customers find the writing style concise, easy to follow, and well written. They also mention that the book is short and can be read in a matter of hours. Readers also say that the author is a master of depicting human nature.

"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

"...This book accomplishes in just a few pages what most people fail to do all their life...." Read more

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

"...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...." Read more

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Top reviews from the United States

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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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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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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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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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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StarStuff
3.0 out of 5 stars Rambling and shallow
Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2024
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I realize that Russell was a Nobel Prize winning novelist, but this book reads like the ramblings of someone in the early stages of dementia. Admittedly, the subject of human happiness is a difficult one, which has challenged the humanity's greatest minds as far back as Aristotle and Socrates, maybe farther. But at least those ancient philosophers (and many since then, such as Viktor Frankl and even Shopenhauer) said things that have substance, even if you disagree with them.

I was hoping that this book would provide some insights as to the bases for human happiness and unhappiness, guidance for making yourself (and other living things) happier, bits of advice from other philosophers and psychologists, etc. But it doesn't. Talks more and says less than most other books I've read on the subject.
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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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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.
One person found this helpful
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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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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
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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.
3 people found this helpful
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