A lot of the stuff in this book is stuff I already believe. For example, good relationships make life worth living, the early childhood years have a profound effect on later development, most people wildly overestimate the extent to which they are in control of their lives, the culture you grew up in plays a huge role in determining your values and character. These are not radical beliefs, but, as Mr. Brooks says, people love to hear other people confirming their beliefs. So I checked this out as an audiobook and listened to it. (And by the way, the narrator was great.)

Mr. Brooks cited like 200 studies over the course of the book, weaving the "science" in with the story of a fictional couple who embody some of the principles. I put "science" in quotes because science isn't really that good at figuring out people. I think Mr. Brooks would agree with me here. Still, he quotes study after study.

I don't think I'd recommend this unless you like to read the "Findings" section in Harper's, which I do. ( )

I enjoy reading Brooks. His ideas in this one, though, just don't stick with me after the book is done. ( )

An interesting book that starts with a great premise but is its own undoing. The tagline "this is the happiest story you will ever read" is wrong and not really representative of what goes on. The story is strange and points in the plot are loosely connected in order to tee-up a boat load of research evidence. The style can get a little tedious quickly, but I still think the book is worth a good 4 stars. For a lot of the filler and stuff you will skim over, there are some real gems here too and parts which will make you smile or get your attention. ( )

Due to circumstances beyond my control I was unable to finish this book completely. But the 2/3-ish that I did read was fascinating. I love David Brooks and I found the way that he presented research much more accessible than other formats. Hopefully I can come back to it some day. ( )

Overreaching attempt to explain the whole of life and the human condition, with lots of pop psychology. Interesting parts, with a loosely woven fable to humanize the studies. ( )