The Geography of Bliss

I am not a paid book critic nor do I play one on television. This review is mine and mine alone.

The Geography of Bliss: One Grump’s Search for the Happiest Places in the World is a rendering of a journalist’s experiences as he globe trots, searching for the happiest places on earth. Charming and loveable, but eminently grumpy, Eric Weiner first traveled to the World Database of Happiness (WDH) housed at Erasmus University in Rotterdam to meet with Dutch sociologist, Professor Ruut Veenhoven, whom Weiner refers to as “the godfather of happiness research.”

The good professor has quantified happiness and reduced it to its smallest common denominator, but don’t expect to find a fairytale workshop manned by smiling, happiness-number-crunching elves. As with any other field of study, this is serious stuff to Veenhoven and his team. Though Weiner may have been disappointed WDH isn’t a happier place to work, its frank dreariness made him feel right at home. This world-class cynic would expect nothing more.

As a longtime foreign correspondent for National Public Radio, traveling to the world’s hot spots is second nature to Weiner. But searching for the elusive happiness quotient? Armed with a healthy dose of skepticism, he leaves The Netherlands in search of his personal Holy Grail. From Switzerland, Bhutan and Qatar, Iceland, Moldova and Thailand, to Great Britain, India and America, Weiner immersed himself in the cultures of the happiest – and in the case of Moldova, most miserable – places to live.

With Dave Barry-esque humor, Eric Weiner masterfully weaves this outrageous combination travelogue, inspirational self-help guide, and personal journal. I found his writing intelligent, insightful, often laugh-out-loud funny, and at times acerbic:

Curiously, none of the flight attendants on Qatar Airways is from Qatar. Instead, they possess that ambiguously ethnic look prized by global news networks and international modeling agencies. The entire crew is from Someplace Else, but exactly which Someplace Else I couldn't say. That, I suspect, is the idea. Qatar Airways swaddles you in a fluffy bathrobe of luxury, hoping you don't reach the uncomfortable, inevitable conclusion: Qatar has outsourced its own airline.

I recommend The Geography of Bliss not only for beach reading [A Day at the Beach: 1 oz Malibu rum, 1/2 oz Amaretto, 4 oz unsweetened orange juice, 1/2 oz Grenadine; shake rum, amaretto, and juice with ice; pour into a highball glass half filled with crushed ice; top with grenadine; garnish with tropical fruit], but also tucked into your comfy chair with a glass of your favorite wine.

On my personal scale of 0 to 5, I give this delightful book 4.25. Geography of Bliss, Eric Weiner, Hachette Book Group, Inc. © 2009, US $13.99.

Have a safe and productive day,

Flitter