Happiness in America: A Cultural History

(Hardback)

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Much interest currently revolves around happiness in America, so much so that one could reasonably argue that there is a happiness movement afoot. The wide range of arenas in which happiness intersects reflects the subjects centrality in everyday life in America these past one hundred years. Happiness in America charts the course of happiness within American culture over the past century, and concludes that most Americans have not had success becoming appreciably happier people despite considerable efforts to do so. Rather than follow a linear path, happiness has bobbed and weaved over the decades, its arc or trajectory a twisting and unpredictable one. Happiness has also both shaped and reflected our core values, with its expression at any given time a key indicator of who we are as a people. The book thus adds a missing and valuable piece to our understanding of American culture. Beyond serving as the definitive guide to happiness in this country, Happiness in America offers readers a provocative argument that challenges standard thinking. Despite popular belief, Americans have never been a particularly happy people. Our perpetual (and futile) search for happiness indicates widespread dissatisfaction and discontent with life in general, something that will come as a surprise to many. The image of Americans as a happy-go-lucky people is thus more mythology than reality, an important finding rooted in the inherent flaws of consumer capitalism. Our competitive and comparative American Way of Life has not proven to be an especially good formula for happiness, Samuel argues, with external signs of success unlikely to produce appreciably happier people. Given these findings, he suggests readers consider abandoning their pursuit of happiness and instead seek out greater joy in life.

Reviews

This is an impressively documented account of a national obsession with happiness over the past century, right through the current surge of positive psychology. The many people who tried to tell Americans how to be happy, or why they were failing, sustain the narrative, along with a sympathetic assessment of why the goal seems so elusive. The reader emerges wiser, if not happier. -- Peter N. Stearns, Professor, George Mason University and author of Satisfaction Not Guaranteed: Dilemmas of Progress in Modern Society
"In addition to chronicling the self-help genre, Samuel summarizes psychology and sociology insights for a lay audience . . . . This study will interest readers interested in American culture, and Americans both enamored and skeptical of self-help. * Publishers Weekly *
https://www.publishersweekly.com/9781538115794 Happiness in America: A Cultural History Lawrence R. Samuel. Rowman & Littlefield, $32 (190p) ISBN 978-1-5381-1579-4 Samuel (The American Way of Life) examines nearly a century of study on the unique American conception of happiness in this meditative history. Pointing out that happiness was deemed so significant that it was codified into the Declaration of Independence, Samuel takes capitalism, fluctuations in the American economy, and individualism vs. a communal spirit as fundamental reference points. In the post-WWII era, he recounts, Americans learned that materialism was not conducive to happiness and it could not be acquired on a lay-away plan like a new Frigidaire or Studebaker. The 1980s90s saw a rampant increase in the use of antidepressants; more recent developments include apps and social media campaigns designed to spark joy. He also notes gendered happiness considerations; contemporary concerns about having it all date back to the 1950s, when women started entering the workforce in large numbers. In addition to chronicling the self-help genre, Samuel summarizes psychology and sociology insights for a lay audience. Samuel does not exactly land on a prescription for happiness, but instructive commonalities and patterns emerge. This study will interest readers interested in American culture, and Americans both enamored and skeptical of self-help. (Nov.) * Publishers Weekly *

Author Bio

Lawrence R. Samuel is the founder of AmeriCulture, a Miami- and New York City-based consultancy dedicated to translating the emerging cultural landscape into business opportunities. He is a blogger for Psychology Today, where he has received hundreds of thousands of hits, and is often quoted in national and international media. Larry is the author of many books, including Sexidemic: A Cultural History of Sex in America (Rowman, 2013), Death, American Style: A Cultural History of Dying in America (Rowman, 2013), American Fatherhood: A Cultural History (Rowman, 2016), and Future Trends: A Guide to Decision Making and Leadership in Business (Rowman, 2018).