America the Anxious

How Our Pursuit of Happiness Is Creating a Nation of Nervous Wrecks

By: Ruth Whippman

Narrated by: Ruth Whippman

Are you happy? Right now? Happy enough? As happy as everyone else? Could you be happier if you tried harder?

After she packed up her British worldview (that most things were basically rubbish) and moved to America, journalist and documentary filmmaker Ruth Whippman found herself increasingly perplexed by the American obsession with one topic above all others: happiness. The subject came up everywhere: at the playground swings, at the meat counter in the supermarket, and even - legs in stirrups - at the gynecologist.

The omnipresence of these happiness conversations (trading tips, humble-bragging successes, offering unsolicited advice) wouldn't let her go, and so Ruth did some digging. What she found was a paradox: despite the fact that Americans spend more time and money in search of happiness than any other nation on earth, research shows that the United States is one of the least contented, most anxious countries in the developed world. Stoked by a multi-billion dollar "happiness industrial complex" intent on selling the promise of bliss, America appeared to be driving itself crazy in pursuit of contentment.

So Ruth set out on to get to the bottom of this contradiction, embarking on an uproarious pilgrimage to investigate how this national obsession infiltrates all areas of life, from religion to parenting, the workplace to academia. She attends a controversial self-help course that promises total transformation, where she learns all her problems are all her own fault; visits a "happiness city" in the Nevada desert and explores why it has one of the highest suicide rates in America; delves into the darker truths behind the influential academic "positive psychology movement"; and ventures to Utah to spend time with the Mormons, officially America's happiest people.

What she finds, ultimately, and presents in America the Anxious, is a rigorously researched yet universal answer, and one that comes absolutely free of charge.

Cover design by James Iacobelli.

©2016 Ruth Whippman (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Eh

Intellectually dishonest, which would be fine except that it's not very funny. the author seems to know where she's going from page one but acts like she doesn't and is more accusatory than insightful.

Thought provoking

This book provides a unique look at what our society has been morphing into theses past years of social media and feel good pursuits.

quite enjoyable

Note: Closer to a 4.5 than 5.

Perhaps a bit loose with the academic psychology she is alternately invoking and critiquing, the author is nevertheless highly entertaining throughout. Furthermore, the broader takeaways seem to stand regardless of whether her interpretations of the science are 100% correct. (I say that as a non-expert myself, but some of the critiques seem a bit loose.)

Particularly appreciated is the critical observation of the business behind not just the broader happiness movement, but even the academic research (via grants from the politically motivated Templeton Foundation).

Thoroughly Enjoyable

Any additional comments?

It's been a long time since I've enjoyed a book so much. Sometimes, it takes the insights of an objective observer to shake us from old habits. From now on, I'll be living more and harassing myself over my own inadequacies less.

I'm Happy I Listened (Mostly)

As I listened to this book, I found my attention drifting to the circumstances under which it was written. A couple of airline tickets (?), an internet connection and a stack of positive psychology books seemed to be the sum total of resources underpinning this enterprise.

Given these limitations, the results are remarkable. Ruth Whippman is a supremely entertaining and stylish writer. Her shoestring budget investigative journalism is compelling (see Chapter 4 on Tony Hsieh’s dystopian corporate happiness projects), and her analysis of the happiness industry’s corrosive influence is completely persuasive.

The reason I haven’t rated this book more highly is that it contains far too much of what Whippman herself would characterize as ‘mommy blogging.’ In a work packaged as a big-picture critique of a national pathology, there are just too many digressions concerning her children, home life and other details of her autobiography. Some listeners may appreciate the candor, but it was during these lapses that I began to ponder the scope of the research being offered.

Makes a very intelligent and interesting case

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

In case you understand that each coin has 2 sides, and based on that you start wondering why the US culture puts such a strong focus on being positive all the time, this book will help you to gain deeper cultural insights.

Would you ever listen to anything by Ruth Whippman again?

Without a doubt

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There are many moments actually, I particularly liked the way she weaves in Facebook and the Mormon church.

Any additional comments?

I admit that I may have been more receptive to the book's storyline because of my European background.

Funny, smart and enlightening

Loved this book!
Funny, smart, thought provoking. The narration is great and the content is reveting.