

"A history of happiness in the Western tradition, Mr. McMahon's impressively researched, beautifully written book offers a treasure trove of ideas on the topic, all accompanied by the author's insightful commentary and arranged so as to establish an overriding story line."...

Today, human beings tend to think of happiness as a natural right. But they haven't always felt this way. For the ancient Greeks, happiness meant virtue. For the Romans, it implied prosperity and divine favor. For Christians, happiness was synonymous with God. Throughout history,...



