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  • Published: 17 January 2023
  • ISBN: 9781846046773
  • Imprint: Rider
  • Format: Trade Paperback
  • Pages: 352
  • RRP: $35.00

The Good Life

Lessons from the World's Longest Study on Happiness




An era-defining book on happiness based on a top 10 most watched TED talk of all time with over 40 million views.

'In a crowded field of life advice and even life advice based on scientific research, Schulz and Waldinger stand apart' Angela Duckworth, author of Grit

What makes for a fulfilling and meaningful life? A good life?

Based on findings from the 80-year-long Harvard Study of Adult Development, this landmark book reveals the simple yet surprising truth: the stronger our relationships, the more likely we are to live happy, satisfying and overall healthier lives.

Revealing the ground-breaking research behind the world's longest study on happiness, programme directors Dr Robert Waldinger and Dr Marc Schulz bring together scientific precision, traditional wisdom, incredible real-life stories and actionable insights to prove once and for all that our own wellbeing and ability to flourish is absolutely within our control.

'An outstanding book. It combines the longest and richest study of human lives anywhere with two remarkable authors of extraordinary breadth' Richard Layard, author of Can We Be Happier?

'This captivating, powerful book shows us scientifically and practically how to define, create and most importantly live the good life' Jay Shetty

  • Published: 17 January 2023
  • ISBN: 9781846046773
  • Imprint: Rider
  • Format: Trade Paperback
  • Pages: 352
  • RRP: $35.00

About the authors

Robert Waldinger

Dr Robert Waldinger is Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, Director of the Center for Psychodynamic Therapy and Research at Massachusetts General Hospital, and Director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development. He is also a Zen Priest.

Marc Schulz

Marc Schulz is the Associate Director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development and Chair and Professor of Psychology at Bryn Mawr College.

Praise for The Good Life

Accessible, interesting and grounded in research - it is bound to make a difference in the lives of millions

Tal ben Shahar

In a crowded field of life advice ... Schulz and Waldinger stand apart. Capitalizing on the most intensive study of adult development in history, they tell us what makes a good life and why

Angela Duckworth

Waldinger is a world expert on the counterintuitive things that make life meaningful. His book will provide welcome advice for a world facing unprecedented levels of unhappiness and loneliness

Laurie Santos, Professor of Psychology, Yale University

This is the book we’ve been waiting for. With grace, humor, and scientific rigor, The Good Life challenges our most stubborn assumptions, and proves that the kind of thriving, happy life we all hope for may have been hiding in plain sight all along. It couldn’t have come at a better time

Guy Raz

In the time of 'social distancing' and a 'loneliness epidemic' understanding the importance of what makes a good life is paramount now more than ever. Both informative and practical, this book is a must read

Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Fellow of The Society of Experimental Social Psychology

This captivating, powerful book shows us scientifically and practically how to define, create and most importantly live the good life ... in a world seeking temporary and instant pleasures, this book gently encourages past the illusion towards the real joy that lies in the depths of our relationships

Jay Shetty

This is the most significant account of one of the most important studies in mental health, conducted and presented by the best clinician scientists in the field ... this book offers unparalleled insight into our nature as people

Peter Fonagy, Professor of Psychoanalysis and Developmental Science, UCL

The Good Life is both incredibly insightful and practical. It helps us to rethink about life's priorities and provides tangible wisdom that we can apply to our everyday lives ... it will help to benefit all of mankind for generations to come

Carol Yu, host of Visionaries

This book will be important in both the developed and the developing world

Ramon Florenzano Professor of Psychiatry, University of Chile

This book promises to be a true enrichment to many in our current societies

Dominik Shoebl Researcher and Professor, University of Fribourg

An outstanding book. It combines the longest and richest study of human lives anywhere with two remarkable authors of extraordinary breadth

Sir Richard Layard, Professor of Economics, LSE and author of Can We Be Happier?

This captivating, powerful book shows us scientifically and practically how to define, create and most importantly live the good life ... in a world seeking temporary and instant pleasures, this book gently encourages past the illusion towards the real joy that lies in the depths of our relationships

Jay Shetty

Waldinger is a world expert on the counterintuitive things that make life meaningful. His book will provide welcome advice for a world facing unprecedented levels of unhappiness and loneliness

Laurie Santos, Professor of Psychology, Yale University

In a crowded filed of life advice ... Schulz and Waldinger stand apart. Capitalizing on the most intensive study of adult development in history, they tell us what makes a good life and why

Angela Duckworth