Something so rarely written by 20th century philosophers: this is a book simply about how to be happy. Renowned atheist Bertrand Russell uses wit and genius, and a welcome sense of compassion and decency, to survey all the usual excuses people give for being angst-ridden or depressed or otherwise unsatisfied with life, including the sorts of miserable conclusions believers claim atheism leads to. He abolishes every one with clear common sense, explaining how the simple life of friendship and reason is all we need to live a life of happiness and contentment. Though some of the issues and examples are outdated, relating to a World War II generation, it takes only a little imagination to see how they still apply to today’s cultural milieu.