The Atlas of Happiness: the global secrets of how to be happy

Firstly, this is a visually stunning book. In hardcover it feels like a quality gift and the illustrations are contemporary and fun. But thats the surface detail. Russell has clearly spent time on research and talking to real people, not just scanning Wikipedia as unfortunately is so often the case with similar books. She has looked into the concept of 'happiness' in countries from Iceland to New Zealand, Japan to Ireland. Each country offers a perspective and explanation for what makes their people happy. Highly recommended as a winter 'pick me up' or a great gift.

The author has asked friends who live in different countries (or who used to live there) what makes people there happy. She has looked at the statistical tables for the happiest countries. She has read some academic articles on what makes people happy. And she has explored the geography, climate, history and culture of the countries in question.This makes for pleasant and enjoyable reading - in my case I found it best just to pick up and read about one or two countries at a time.The take-aways are perhaps as follows: Nordic countries with strong social systems and political systems and high levels of civic trust score well on happiness surveys. Elsewhere satisfaction comes in other forms - potentially in serious alcoholic drinking activities of one kind or another, in dolce far niente, in acceptance of life as it comes, or in finding ways to make do with low levels of resource.There's food for thought here, then. But it's not a book that will change my life.

I bought this for a friend, she's a latent hippy who enjoys a good gong bath, Reiki and the like. She was rather taken by the whole Hygge thing so this seemed perfect. Along with 2 other friends we dipped in and out of this book over her birthday meal, some bits made us laugh (whether it was supposed to or not) and we chose various lifestyle concepts that we liked the sound of. I'm not sure if this will be a 'life guide' for her but she will dip in and out of each potentially taking bits from each country to employ in her own life to keep the stress and anxiety at bay. She was thrilled with it, i recommend for all your latent hippy friends.

Bought this after reading an excerpt in a magazine in the dentist. Nice book enjoyable with lots of ideas to pick and mix to personalise your happy.

I saw some extracts in Good Housekeeping and thought it would make a great gift. I will be buying more.It’s a great format in that you can pick it up and read a section at a time.Lovely and uplifting.