The Geography of Bliss: One Grump’s Search for the Happiest Places in the World
by Eric Weiner
The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World by Eric Weiner holds a well received rating of 3.83 out of 5, based on 23K reader ratings. First published in 2008. The book spans 335 pages.
About The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World
Weiner spent a decade as a foreign correspondent reporting from such discontented locales as Iraq, Afghanistan, and Indonesia. Unhappy people living in profoundly unstable states, he notes, inspire pathos and make for good copy, but not for good karma. So Weiner, admitted grump and self-help book aficionado, undertook a year's research to travel the globe, looking for the "unheralded happy places." The result is this book, equal parts laugh-out-loud funny and philosophical, a journey into both the definition of and the destination for true contentment.Apparently, the happiest places on earth include, somewhat unexpectedly, Iceland, Bhutan, and India. Weiner also visits the country deemed most malcontent, Moldova, and finds real merit in the claim.But the question remains: What makes people happy? Is it the freedom of the West or the myriad restrictions of Singapore? The simple ashrams of India or the glittering shopping malls of Qatar?From the youthful drunkenness of Iceland to the despond of Slough, a sad but resilient town in Heathrow's flight path, Weiner offers wry yet profound observations about the way people relate to circumstance and fate.Both revealing and inspirational, perhaps the best thing about this hilarious trip across four continents is that for the reader, the "geography of bliss" is wherever they happen to find themselves while reading it.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Eric Weiner |
| Published | 2008 |
| Pages | 335 |
| Genres | Non-Fiction, Travel, Biography & Memoir, Psychology, Philosophy |
| Average Rating | 3.83 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 23,023 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World?
The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World is categorized as Non-Fiction, Travel, Biography & Memoir, Psychology. Its primary genre classification is Biography & Memoir.
Is The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World worth reading?
Based on 23K reader ratings, The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World has an average score of 3.83 out of 5.00, which is considered "Well Received."
How many pages is The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World?
The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World has 335 pages.
Who wrote The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World?
The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World was written by Eric Weiner. It was first published in 2008.
What is the ISBN for The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World?
The ISBN-13 for The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World is 9780446580270.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
