{"product_id":"happiness-darrin-mcmahon","title":"Happiness: A History by Darrin M. McMahon","description":"\u003c!-- Shopify Product Description: \"Happiness: A History\" by Darrin M. McMahon --\u003e\u003c!-- Opening Hook \u0026 Intro --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat does it mean to be happy—and how has that meaning evolved across civilizations?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eHappiness: A History\u003c\/em\u003e by Darrin M. McMahon, journey through the fascinating story of humanity’s pursuit of joy, fulfillment, and the elusive state we now call happiness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- Core Book Summary --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistorian \u003cstrong\u003eDarrin M. McMahon\u003c\/strong\u003e traces the intellectual and cultural evolution of happiness from ancient Greece, where it meant virtue, to Rome’s ideals of prosperity and divine favor, and to Christianity’s vision of bliss in union with God. Only in the last two centuries, McMahon argues, has happiness become a secular entitlement and a modern obsession. Drawing on art, poetry, music, theology, and literature, \u003cem\u003eHappiness: A History\u003c\/em\u003e offers a sweeping, insightful look at the ever-changing meaning of a “happy life”—and why the pursuit still matters today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- Key Features --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFeatures:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThemes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Philosophy, history of ideas, self-fulfillment, cultural evolution\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGenre:\u003c\/strong\u003e Nonfiction, History, Philosophy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReading Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Adult; ideal for readers of history, philosophy, or psychology\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUnique Selling Points:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sweeping intellectual history, interdisciplinary approach, broad cultural analysis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBonuses:\u003c\/strong\u003e Illustrations, suggested readings, historical timelines\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- About the Author --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout the Author:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDarrin M. McMahon\u003c\/strong\u003e is an acclaimed historian and professor, known for his thought-provoking works on the history of ideas, including \u003cem\u003eHappiness: A History\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eEnemies of the Enlightenment\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- Related Reads --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRelated Reads:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFlow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience\u003c\/em\u003e by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eStumbling on Happiness\u003c\/em\u003e by Daniel Gilbert\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eThe Art of Happiness\u003c\/em\u003e by the Dalai Lama\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- SEO Meta-Phrase --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplore the centuries-old quest for joy with Darrin M. McMahon’s \u003cem\u003eHappiness: A History\u003c\/em\u003e—the definitive guide to understanding happiness as a timeless human pursuit.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bust-Down Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50306227863867,"sku":"0802142893","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0855\/2077\/7531\/files\/9780802142894.jpg?v=1776239446","url":"https:\/\/bustdownbooks.com\/products\/happiness-darrin-mcmahon","provider":"Bust-Down Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}