The Happiness Myth: The Historical Antidote to What Isn't Working Today
by Jennifer Hecht
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Book Summary Information
Author: Jennifer HechtEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2008-02-01
ISBN: 0060859504
Number of pages: 368
Publisher: HarperOne
Book Reviews of The Happiness Myth: The Historical Antidote to What Isn't Working Today
Book Review: many flaws; actually advocates drugs
Summary: 1 Stars
I'm amazed that so many think she's a good writer; I disagree. But I'm more amazed no one has even mentioned that she advocates drug use, and while she writes a great deal about it, does not really build a well reasoned argument to support her outrageous point.
"It is clear to me that adults who want to know more about happiness ought to employ drugs... I would not counsel the use of illegal drugs for happiness, because despite the moral call to civil disobedience in relation to unreasonable laws, if you get caught, you won't be happy. That leaves room for trying a lot of drugs, especially if you are willing to travel. But let us begin right here in the United States and see what we can do." (P. 126-127)
Now, just as one example of her poor writing, I must point out that she never returns to the subject of travel. She writes "let us begin..." implying that after discussing drug use in America, next she will discuss travel (to Amsterdam or wherever recreational drug use is legal), but seemingly forgets to! Given the topic, I can't help but think this forgetfulness is drug-use related! The "drug use in America" discussion continues for a mere 5 sentences. Then, she returns to telling us why drug use is such a good thing.
Prior to the quotation above, she brings in a lot of interesting facts and snippets about legal opium and cocaine use in the 19th century. But does not bother to discuss the negatives of using these drugs. Why did opium use fall into disfavor? Perhaps, she speculates, as the wasting diseases were cured (like Tuberculosis), the opium addicts no longer had a crowd to blend in with. That's what she says! However, no mention, ever, as to why opium users would need to blend in with a wasting-away group of ill people. Were the opium users also "wasting"? She doesn't mention it!
She also talks about anti-depressants as "happiness pills," but seems completely unaware of any actual information about or controversy about anti-depressants (e.g., they do not work for everyone, there are studies that say they work no better than placebo...).
I'm concerned this book will make some people want to try "happiness drugs," legal or illegal. As an antidote, I recommend reading one of Peter Breggin's books; he's opposed to the use of any psycho-active drugs.
I'm still reading the book, but it looks like she never mentions gratitude, being appreciative of what we have, as a major component of happiness. I happen to think it is key.
In sum, while I'm finding fodder for sermons in her book (the reason I checked it out of the library), I would not recommend it! It is poorly written (repetitive, skips around, poorly organized, sometimes doesn't make sense). The evidence she brings in to support her claims is often interesting, but she simply ignores (does not argue against) very powerful evidence which refutes her claims (e.g., if "happiness drugs" are so good for us, why are so many users of them so very miserable? Why would we make them illegal if they are so obviously wonderful?)
PS - this is my first review!
[later addition: I've now finished reading the book, and will say I found the later chapters very interesting. I'd raise it to 2 or 3 stars, but Amazon doesn't let me or I don't know how. She has some fresh ideas and insights worth reading and enjoyable to read, although I'd take her "facts" with a grain of salt, as I found things that were obviously untrue... and as stated above, her perpective on drug use is both counter-intuitive and unsubstantiated.]
Summary of The Happiness Myth: The Historical Antidote to What Isn't Working Today
Jennifer Michael Hecht explodes the myths about happiness, liberating us from the message that there's only one way to care for our hearts, minds, and bodies.
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