This is not just another book about happiness. The author, a renowned expert on well-being and behavior, combines the knowledge we have gained with the latest research in the fields of economics and psychology to show us that in order to be happy, we must behave in ways that offer us both pleasure and a sense of purpose — as he boldly and originally argues that the pleasure and purpose we experience over time are fundamental components of happiness.

In fact, the more pleasure and sense of purpose we seek, in a relatively balanced ratio, the happier we become. However, the optimal balance is different for each of us, so the reader, with Dolan's guidance, can seek their own. Moreover, happiness is determined by the things and circumstances where we direct our attention.

Each input into our happiness production process — money, marriage, sex, our weight, our stuttering, work, the size of our home — can affect our lives more or less depending on the attention we give them. It is up to us to shift and focus our attention on the things that make us feel better.

With subtle humor and insight, the author reveals to all of us how we can overcome the biases that make us unhappy and redesign our environment so that we can more easily experience happiness, personal fulfillment, and even health. He also shows policymakers the applications of behavioral science in more effectively shaping policy, such as evaluating intangible and non-marketable goods, offering an overall new model of well-being in modern societies.

They wrote about the book: • “Dolan believes that you can fill your life with pleasure and meaning through planned, your own choices, [...] and offers a good description of everything I wish for my grandchildren: a life rich in activities of pleasure and purpose.” ― Daniel Kahneman, Nobel Prize in Economics, author of the book Thinking, Fast and Slow.

• “Impressive, innovative, profound. If you want to read just one book on happiness, choose this one. [...]” ― Nassim Nicholas Taleb, professor of risk management, New York University.

• “Some books can change your life; in 48 hours, this one elevated mine. [...] Anyone wondering if they are living their life as well as they can will find ideas worth considering in this engaging and persuasive book.” ― The Sunday Times.

• “Dolan is particularly illuminating when discussing the big choices in life. [...] He reminds us that happiness doesn’t really come when we aim high; rather, we should focus our attention on maximizing the things that bring us joy. [...] Most of us could benefit from heeding his advice.” ― Guardian.

• “...His ideas are exciting, understanding them will make your life more happy and purposeful, and Dolan presents them beautifully. Whether you are new to the research on happiness or a voracious consumer of it, you will enjoy the right tone that the book strikes.” ― Adam Alter, professor of marketing, New York University.