Happiness : Brief Books about Big Ideas

A short but engaging look at how the key to our own happiness may lie with other people. Why is Denmark consistently ranked one of the happiest nations? In Happiness, researcher Christian Bjørnskov explores what we mean when we talk about happiness. Based on new research findings on how people perceive their own lives, Bjørnskov argues that the basic factors that constitute happiness are mostly universal across cultures. By evaluating studies and theories on happiness that test how family, genetics, religion, wealth, work, and trust factor into our happiness as well as how often we smile or compare ourselves to others, Bjørnskov outlines why our most important source of happiness may be the people around us. ReflectionsIn Reflections, a series copublished with Denmark's Aarhus University Press, scholars deliver 60-page reflections on a key concept that encapsulates their years of study and research. These books present unique insights on a wide range of topics and concepts—everything from love, trust, and play, to corruption, welfare, and sleep—that entertain and enlighten readers with exciting discoveries and new perspectives.