Making Happy People: The nature of happiness and its origins in childhood

by Paul R. Martin

All parents want their children to be happy – but no parent knows how to guarantee it. Now this groundbreaking book explores the ways in which parents can influence their children’s happiness, providing a positive framework for emotional growth.Happiness is simultaneously the most sought after and the most elusive human property. But it is also poorly understood. Making Happy People breaks new ground in two by offering a scientific perspective on a subject often dominated by philosophers, artists and self-help gurus; and by looking at the origins of happiness in the individual.Essential reading for everyone who wants to be happier, or to make others happy, this remarkable book combines the latest research with indispensable advice to illuminate a little explored subject of large importance.

Genres: Psychology

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 2005

About the author

Paul Martin was educated at Cambridge University and at Stanford University, California, where he was Harkness Fellow in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences. He lectured and researched in behavioural biology at Cambridge University, and was a Fellow of Wolfson College, before leaving academia to pursue other interests including science writing.

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very well-written and easy to read summary of the literature on what it is that makes people happy and what doesn't. It starts to explore the implications for parenting and education too but actually you don't need to care about either of these to find it a useful guide through the myriad of happiness writing most of which is much less easy to read. go make friends people.

[Bea(triz) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was my first self-help book and i got to say that i actually enjoyed it. Very well-writing and good references make this a really interesting book. I took some notes, while reading this book because i there's somethings that i thought was important to write down myself so i can remember then later.

So, in a short note, I recommend this book. It's really great.

[Robin Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful and refreshing; different approach from the vast majority of Get Happy Quick books.

Very useful reading as a soon-to-be Dad on how to raise a happy, contented child!