Rating: 
Summary: Extremely helpful book.
Review: A fresh perspective and bright outlook on happiness. It is ironic that in this advanced stage of man's evolution, real happiness is still an unknown to many. Man can now move moutains at the push of a button and yet basic happiness and personal fulfillment eludes us. Perhaps it is our tendency to see ourselves as a body with a soul when it should be the other way around. Then things will start to have a different meaning. Happy reading to all!!!
Rating:
Summary: how can you not like it
Review: As I read the few negative reviews of this book, the critics all seem to be commenting about Dennis the radio talk show host (whom they may disagree with on some political issue or another), not the contents of this book. The weakness of the book: It is based on common sense and not backed up by thousands of clinical studies to verify up each and every claim; thus at times, it seems a little surface and simplistic. The strength of this book: It is based on common sense and not backed up by thousands of clinical studies to verify up each and every claim; thus it is void of a thousand qualifying "but sometimes..." and instead is simple, clear and to the point. Just as we say, on reading an insightful movie review, "that makes perfect sense; that's exactly what I've always felt but just didn't know how to put it into words quite so clearly," so most people will say after reading each chapter: Yes, exactly, someone's finally put it into words! Congratulations, Dennis.
Rating: 
Summary: If you wonder why you're unhappy, read this book...
Review: Dennis Prager, a devout Jew, helped bring me to Christ through years of listening to his radio commentaries and reading his books and essays. His clear-thinking and insight to man's eternal dilemma can help anyone searching for meaning in his life, and for a personal relationship with God. But Mr. Prager's book on happiness does us all a service while we spend our time here on earth, muddling through the complexities of every day life. One of the keys to happiness, Mr. Prager rightly suggests, is that expectations inevitably result in unhappiness. This is a wonderful insight to why so many today are frustrated, angry and unhappy in a society that touts the entitlement mindset, the thinking that we are automatically entitled to things, including happiness. If you can set aside your expectations suddenly everything good that enters your life becomes a blessing. What do you appreciate more, the gift you've demanded or the one you didn't expect? Hang on to your expectations and you can expect to be dissatisfied when they aren't met, and unappreciative when they do come true - after all, you expected to get it and felt that you deserved it, so why should you appreciate it? Integral to happiness is appreciation. Unappreciative people are simply unhappy people. They are people who expect life to cater to them, so consequently are bitter when it doesn't and unappreciative when it does. This book should be required reading in all schools, particularly on college campuses where so many expect life to cater to them. But it applies equally well to all ages. Buy this book for anyone you'd like to help find happiness.
Rating:
Summary: Useful self-help guide to happiness
Review: Heard the taped version of Dennis Prager's HAPPINESS
IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM . . . Prager, a talk-show host,
contends that we are actually obligated to be happy because it
makes us better people . . . but this is not as easy as it sounds,in that it requires a continuing process of counting your blessings and giving up expectations that life is supposed
to be wonderful . . . it will only happen when you take
responsibility for your life rather than spend time blaming
others. I liked some of the ideas expressed by Prager; among them:
Happiness must constantly be worked at. Everything comes with a price. The more often you ask what is the price, the better equipped
you will be to handle life's problems.
Rating:
Summary: Dear reviewer - Shanbo
Review: Hello,
I just read your review of Prager's Happiness book.
As someone who is quite familiar with the man, I'll say that you don't seem to know him, or the heart (or sense) of his philosophy very well, and so come off quite presumptiously as if you do in your review.
For example, I think he finds great joy (or happiness) fighting the evils that are hurting people in our society, yet you interpret his fighting as dissatisfaction rather than him working at fulfilling a purpose filled life of helping others. You disparage him for getting frustrated and showing this sometimes, as if one breaking a sweat whilst working negates the point of the work.
In summery I will review the reviewer.
Your review was foolish & mean spirited (eg. the name calling of Mr. Prager - "maudlin") and so sad, and demonstrated that you were likely projecting your own issues onto someone you have not a clue about.
Regards,
JeanPierre in Sydney
Rating:
Summary: Not bad, but should I have expected less?
Review: I enjoyed this book, but it's not exactly what I expected. He does argue from every conceivable angle that our expectations will set us up for disappointment, so I guess I asked for it. Somehow I managed to put "The Pursuit of" in front of the title because I tend to believe that happiness is a by-product of our service to humanity, but the book is actually about seeking happiness for one self. Mr. Prager does emphasize how we tend to seek happiness in vain through our quests for self-indulgence, and suggests that we seek meaning in our lives. He's very logical and reasonable, even if one doesn't agree with him on every count, but I don't find him to be particularly profound. I agree with him strongly on some points, but there is nothing new in his writing that would have me reconsider my own philosophy, or reflect on how his viewpoint might reflect a truth in my own experience.
Rating:
Summary: Not bad, but should I have expected less?
Review: I enjoyed this book, but it's not exactly what I expected. He does argue from every conceivable angle that our expectations will set us up for disappointment, so I guess I asked for it. Somehow I managed to put "The Pursuit of" in front of the title because I tend to believe that happiness is a by-product of our service to humanity, but the book is actually about seeking happiness for one self. Mr. Prager does emphasize how we tend to seek happiness in vain through our quests for self-indulgence, and suggests that we seek meaning in our lives. He's very logical and reasonable, even if one doesn't agree with him on every count, but I don't find him to be particularly profound. I agree with him strongly on some points, but there is nothing new in his writing that would have me reconsider my own philosophy, or reflect on how his viewpoint might reflect a truth in my own experience.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic yet common-sensical insights; universal themes
Review: I have been on a mission to share this gem with all of my family and friends (so far, I've purchased this book 5 times as gifts and recommended it to at least 15 friends). Dennis Prager has produced a truly valuable book that, when properly digested, can lead to tremendous personal growth. I'm a fan!
Rating:
Summary: Love it. Julie Clark Robinson, author, "Live in the Moment"
Review: I just listened to Dennis Prager on my car radio - his weekly "Happiness Show" as it turned out - and the first thing I did as I blasted through the door is log on to order this book. I've heard him mention happiness before, and know that he is on a personal quest to ensure that he nurtures it along in his own life. But today he got into the subject of the growing throngs of stay-at-home moms and their lack of palpable "achievements" that have pretty much become the criteria for self esteem. His genuine and very approachable tone, as always, invites personal reflection that is ongoing - at least for me. Great show, great subject, I cannot wait to read this book. He's a man after my own heart.
Rating:
Summary: Simplicity can be profound. A must read about happiness.
Review: I rarely read self-help books. Happiness is A Serious Problem was on my sister's bookself and I was finished with my novel. Prager's philosophy was so powerful to me that I took notes as I was reading to remember the critically important messages to incorporate into my daily life. I'm a clinical psychologist and I've not only recommending it to my patients, I've recommended it to my therapist!
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