Doctor Burns' Prescription for Happiness

by George Burns

The renowned actor-comedian offers personal observations, stories, anecdotes, and advice about dealing with life's ups and downs and increasing one's happiness and well-being through good will and laughter

Genres: Humor, Nonfiction, Comedy

189 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Popular American comedian acted George Burns, originally Nathan Birnbaum from 1922 teamed with Gracie Allen, his wife, to 1958; after her death, he in dramatic roles won an Academy Award for The Sunshine Boys (1975).

Career of this writer spanned vaudeville, film, radio, and television. His familiar arched eyebrow and cigar smoke punctuation lasted for more than three quarters of a century. He enjoyed a career resurrection that began in the 1975 and continued through his death.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_...

Reviews

[Jena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved George Burns anyway, one of the much-loved voices of my youth, and a 20th century icon. I love the lighthearted silly humor in this book, an art form which seems to be sadly extinct in the 21st century. But most of all, I love his common sense advice for happiness. If you want to remember why life is good, read this one.

[Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Has happiness had it? Are there any shortcuts to enjoying life? Dr. George Burns is here to answer those questions and more!
A quick and enjoyable read filled with stories, jokes, and ancedots that George Burns finds ways to tie back into the heart of this book: enjoying life and being happy.
As a big George Burns fan, this also happened to be the first book of his I read and it didn't dissapoint. Burns' trademark wit and humor infectiously spilled out of every page making me laugh, smile, and feel good all over.
"So if you want to put on a happy face, strike up the band, and send in the clowns, even if it's stormy weather, pick up Dr. Burns' Prescription for Happiness. It's over the counter and you don't need an appointment."

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book full of George's wit and wisdom. His basic "prescription" for happiness is helping others (page 141). While the book is a bit dated, I enjoyed his anecdotes and photos about the Hollywood, stars and friends that he knew, and often helped. Reading it definitely made me laugh! George was one of a kind, and so is this book!

[Pepper Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love George Burns. I forgot how funny he really was, and I'm so glad I had this book on my shelf and decided to pick it up and read it. This was a great one and a classic, for sure! It was great to read about Bob Hope, Don Rickles and many more. Classic entertainers for sure, folks.

[Diana Duell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up remembering George Burns movies from when I was a kid. This was a quick read and made me laugh. Real advice on happiness along with so many stories with some added pictures.

[Stephanie Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick easy read. I’ve had this book for decades so this is a reread. I love George Burns.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an old fashioned comedy book from one of the master’s of old school comedy. The subject matter generally focuses on the subject of what it takes to be happy. The book also covers some of the author’s early experiences in show business and his run in with other comedy actors of that age. I found the book pretty funny, even if some of the material didn’t age very well. There are not really any offensive (at least to me) jokes in the book and few of them had me laughing out loud several times. I would definitely recommend this book to any one who knows who George Burns is or to any one who is looking for a book on comedy that’s not based on swearing, sex jokes or crude humor.

[d4 · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was rather amusing--endearing even.

"'Money is the root of all evil.' Then we hear, 'A fool and his money are soon parted.' What are they talking about? If money is so evil, shouldn't it be, 'A wise man and his money are soon parted'? And another thing, how does a fool get money in the first place? I know some fools who have a lot of money, but they won't tell me how they got it, and I won't tell them." — George Burns.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps some of the humor is dated but this was enjoyable to read. George Burns, at his ripe ole age, and after decades since the books release brings plenty of humor to the table. His actual prescription is simplicity and appreciation masked by a humor of decadence. This book made me smile and lightened my load, and hence was everything i was looking for when i picked it up.

[Gena Lott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cynical and irascible, George Burns, nonetheless wins your heart as he tells his humorous anecdotes and reminds us that life is for the living--and he should know. How old was he when he wrote this book???

[Michael P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another of George Burns's seemingly endless parade of books full of anecdotes and jokes was written after the best stories were told, so he imposed a conceit about finding happiness over more anecdotes and jokes. I can't help but like this book even as I realize there isn't much here.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I laughed. (I won't say I didn't.)

[Sutarman Ngadi · Rating 2 out of 5]

bad jokes