“A brilliant and charming book that tackles the grandest questions of life in plain terms, with humor and insight…full of anecdotes, history, thoughtfulness, perspective, and entertaining discourse. If you have any curiosity about the meaning of life—and who doesn’t?—this book is a refreshing and important resource.”
— Roy F. Baumeister, Author of New York Times bestseller Willpower, The Power of Bad, and Meanings of Life
Finnish scholar Frank Martela, from the Happiest Country in the World, answers life’s most pressing questions, in a relaxed conversational tone, such as:
- Is happiness a worthy goal?
- What is the foundation for meaning in a secular society?
- Is life an existential void?
Part prescriptive and part armchair philosophy book, A WONDERFUL LIFE is accessible to everyone, from the well-read scholar to the apprentice as well as anyone curious about how to extract the greatest meaning and sense of purpose from their existence.
Advance Praise for A Wonderful Life by Frank Martela
“The search for life’s meaning is perhaps the most important quest we can undertake. And for any quest, it’s essential to have a guide. Philosophically probing yet eminently readable, A Wonderful Life is a book you can refer to again and again on your journey toward purpose.”
— Daniel H. Pink, New York Times bestselling author of When, Drive, To Sell Is Human, and A Whole Mind
“We are happiest not when we have more things or accolades but when we have more meaning, research shows. A Wonderful Life is a witty and inspirational guidebook to helping you live a life of meaning. By expertly drawing on psychology, philosophy and literature, his book will entertain you as much as it enriches you.”
— Emma Seppala, author of The Happiness Track, Science Director, Stanford Center For Compassion And Altruism Research And Education. Co–Director Wellness, Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence
“This book is not only a delight to read, but it is a tour-de-force of research. Martela brings together some of the most fascinating ideas from history, philosophy, and psychology to address the most urgent question of all: What makes life meaningful? Too many people today doubt that their lives matter. In this uplifting and thoughtful work, Martela offers practical tips for we can each find more meaning in our lives.”
— Emily Esfahani Smith, author of The Power of Meaning: Finding Fulfillment in a World Obsessed With Happiness
Rights sold:
UNITED STATES: HarperCollins/Harper Design (orig.)
CROATIA: Planetopija
ESTONIA: Rahva Raamat
FINLAND: Gummerus
JAPAN: HarperCollins Japan
KOREA: Across Publishing
NETHERLANDS: Ambo Anthos
NORWAY: Gursli Berg Forlag
RUSSIA: Bombora
Reading material:
Full English pdf
Harper Design ∙ On Sale: March 24, 2020 ∙ Hardcover ∙ 200 pages
Read more about the author here: www.frankmartela.com • #AWonderfulLife • @f_Martela