The Happiness Trap (Second Edition): How to Stop Struggling and Start Living Paperback – July 5, 2022

I am a middle-aged white male with a typical job, and I lead a typical life. I don't know if my opinion will persuade anyone to pick up this book. To be honest, I am not terribly concerned about that. I suppose I am writing this primarily as a thank you to the author. The book changed my life forever--in a good way. It brought together many things that have interested me for many years and made sense of them. It took the things I loved most about Zen Buddhism and framed them in a largely scientific context. In this scientific characterization, the power of these concepts is magnified and they are much more accessible to westerners. The writing seems compatible with ideas presented in formal epistemology. The recommended actions and ideas seem at home in the mind of an epistemic skeptic. More than just the book, ACT itself deserves much praise. To me, ACT seems a natural extension of evolutionary psychology. They fit together so seemlessly, at least in my opinion. For those in whom ACT is destined to resonate, the book is definitely a life changer. I thought he brilliantly and patiently encouraged the reader to participate in the many exercises presented in the text. The exercises are not embellishments or superficial ornaments. They are essential challenges to help one become immersed in the theory, help one reach competency in daily life. The exercises are extremely on target and extremely well balanced and measured. One of my favorite things is that when you finish the book, perhaps having left some of the exercises undone, it instantly becomes an incredible reference for the world view it describes. You can go back and finish the exercises. You can flip to a random page and study it. You can systematical refresh yourself on some pre-selected topic. In short, you can become and remain very, very familiar with the material. I am a little sheepish to admit this, but this is the best book I have ever read. I don't mean that it outdances the prose of Tolstoy (etc.). I mean in terms of pure impact on my life. I am sure the book would not effect everyone in this way. As we all know, life is a problem with many solutions (or something along those lines). Some of us might like an entirely different intellectual framework from which to view and interact with the world around us. For them, this book will probably seem ordinary, or worse. But, as for myself, I have found a magnificent text to aid me in the days ahead. My only betrayal of its role is that I know I will always be on the hunt, to some extent, for an even better formulation. Until I find one, I am set.

Great book overall. The author writes in a very understandable tone and it is easy to follow. Great examples and steps to overcome different sources of unhappiness. Do use the extra bits to make the best of it. It is easy to read and easy to follow. More difficult to implement, but I guess that's just change as a whole. I don't claim to be better, but I have more tools in my toolbox after reading this book.

I don't know how to efficiently put words to the impact this book has had. Harris has a very personable way of presenting information that is both entertaining, but relatable and encouraging. He gives you the tools and makes you feel like the control is back in your hands. I would recommend this to anyone in any stage of their mental health journey. Thank you so much Dr. Harris!

There is a lot of useful information here that is well worth knowing and putting to use. But the author presents the content as if the reader is a firm skeptic who needs endless convincing that ACT is worthwhile.Others might enjoy the very chatty nature of this book but I don't. Reading it, I feel like telling the author, "Ok already, stop trying to convince me with over simplified anecdotes and get to the point." I'd love a shorter version that explains ACT and how to best to use it.

Dr. Russ Harris has created a monumental work in the self-help and personal development field. If you only use one tenth of the tools and techniques in this book, you will have received many, many times more in value than you paid for this truly remarkable book.There is SO MUCH great content and practical advice here to enrich the lives of readers. The research and readability are exceptional. If this book was recommended to you, then I encourage you to pick it up today and begin reading. I am certain you will not be disappointed. Thank you, Dr. Harris, for this wonderful and enduring gift.

I would not have earned my B A in Psychology if it wasn't for this book, period. It explains acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) which is the third generation of the behavioral therapeutic approach (the second generation being the cognitive behavioral therapeutic approach). It is founded on evidenced based science, not wishful thinking or esoteric unprovable traditions espoused by Freud and many others. It makes sense to the layman and professional alike. Dr. Steven Hayes is the founder of ACT, but I consider Dr. Russ Harris who authored this book to be the torchbearer of ACT. ACT is truly unlike anything you have probably ever read concerning therapy, psychology, mental illness, and genuine healing of the mind. It's NOT New Agey foolishness nor is it post-modern ignorance. It's a new method of consideration of self. Instead of spending all of your energy fighting to control your thoughts which I think we can all agree can ever be achieved, what might happen if we embraced our troubling thoughts and simply accepted them? We wouldn't ever have to love them, but what if we simply gave them space to exist? Might the byproduct be a bit more peace or at least more capacity to enjoy life? This is the over simplified philosophy behind ACT and this book. It is a scientific mindfulness based approach that may very well change the perspective of your entire life for positive results. Wether you suffer from depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, substance abuse, schizophrenia, or whatever other troubling thoughts this book and the ACT approach may be just what you have been searching for. I'll warn you though, it takes time, effort, and a desire to improve like anything else. If you are happy being unhappy or being a victim then don't waste your money on this book.

My wife purchased this book not too long after her father passed away. Great lessons and advice to help depression and provides a blueprint for managing issues. She absolutely loves it.