The subject here is happiness, the focus of recent psychological research. And who could deny the good of happiness? Well, this author can, and successfully too, demonstrating how happiness research, which started as science (and in many cases remains so,) also became a fad, one easily deformed into a pre-existing native ideology of wish and control. Ehrenreich weaves her yarn into the core of American identity.

This quick read takes us from Calvinistic forefathers who thrived on self-examination and spiritual work, to present day pundits who sell magical thinking, complete with homework, to punters in academic, business, religion and health-related fields. Ehrenreich’s wit depicts many of the power plays and obscurations along the way, while her heart warms to real human needs, and those who honestly and humbly work to meet them.

The only slight weakness to the book is that, in pursuit of the pithy, she moves too quickly through how Calvinism morphed into New Thought and Positive Thinking, neglecting to explore the roles played by transcendentalism, idealism, Mesmerism and the relentless scientism of the 19th century.

Ready for some levity, some levity to help you comprehend and deal with all the serious stuff? Then you might be in the market for this book.

--"There once was a student named Fred -- -- Who was questioned on Descartes and said -- -- "It's perfectly clear -- -- That I'm not really here, -- --For I haven't a thought in my head." V.R.-- Omerod"

Jokes are based on absurdities, ambiguities, anomalies, or as the authors call them -- fallacies. As they put it, "Figuring out which logical fallacy a joke illustrates can be a valuable exercise in critical thinking."

--"A guy goes into a psychiatrist's office and says that he is George Washington. He finishes up the session by telling the psychiatrist?, "Tomorrow we will cross the Delaware..." As soon as the guy leaves the room , the psychiatrist picks up the phone and says, "King George, this is Benedict Arnold. I have the plans."--

This illustrates using the fallacy of relevance to undercut a person or profession. This sort of humor is based on stereotypes and often has lawyers, politicians, psychiatrists, seniors, or adolescents as its target. The book also looks at fallacies of evidence and of assumption. It is an enjoyable blend of logic and humor, a good read for a dreary day.

Have you ever felt as if your primal urges (such as, say, the socially-unacceptable urge to yell at the unattentive parent of a yelling toddler,) have overrun their evolutionary purposes? If so, then welcome to the human race. According to author Deirdre Barrett, you're normally maladaptive. Her new book reads as if the author was a cross between Darwin, Neil Postman, and Diane Ackerman.

It is so chock full of fascinating facts and insights that it is hard to pull out any one bit as exceptional -- but in our department the topic of the day become feral children. Most of us knew that children had been found who had been raised by wolves, chimps and dogs. But ostriches? Chickens? Leopards? Really, who knew? Well Ms. Barrett did, and soon you can too. As the book jacket states: "Deirdre Barrett explains how human instincts--for food, sex or territorial protection--developed for life in the savanna ten thousand years ago, not for today's world of densely-populated cities, technological innovations, and pollution. Evolution...has been unable to keep pace with the rapid changes of modern life. We now have access to a glut of larger-than-life objects-- from candy to pornography to atomic bombs--that gratify outmoded but persistent drives with dangerous results."

In short, this book deals with how humans are subject to (and easily exploited by) maladaptive behaviors that reason alone may understand, but can not conquer.

A very powerful enchantment has robbed Richard Rahl of his new wife. None his allies can remember the last Mother Confessor much less that she once walked among them. Meanwhile Kahlan struggles to recall that her life was once other than that of a slave to the Sisters of the Dark. Another installment of the Sword of Truth series.

Dragons and girls have one thing in common in this tale of male donination, Venom. Together, they stand a very strong chance of turning the tables on traditions that have held both in oppression for generations. Adult themes and content. Not for young readers.