10% Happier
How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found A Self-help That Actually Works-- A True Story
Audiobook CD - 2014
Nightline anchor Dan Harris embarks on an unexpected, hilarious, and deeply skeptical odyssey through the strange worlds of spirituality and self-help, and discovers a way to get happier that is truly achievable.
Publisher:
[New York, NY] :, Harper Audio,, [2014]
ISBN:
9780062347572
0062347578
0062347578
Branch Call Number:
CD 158.12 HAR NVD
Characteristics:
7 audio discs (approximately 480 min.) : CD audio, digital ; 4 3/4 in
digital,rda
audio file,CD audio,rda



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Add a CommentWow! That was SO MUCH MORE than I expected. I was put onto this book by a reference in Mark Epstein book - Advice not given, which they both make reference to each other, they're friends and Dans Mentor. I didn't expect much from it....boy was I wrong. I found myself gripped by the way his brain works (very similar to mine) and the way he breaks down meditation, Its not directly about meditating or how to do it...its about his process, its more biography than self-help, but what it has done for me, is made me excited to commit to my own personal practice, and given me goals and and acceptance for my personal process. Sure, his voice is maybe a bit American, a bit grating but I really enjoyed hearing his inflections and excitement.
I found Dan Harris's voice very annoying. I prefer the book.
Well-researched tome on meditation couched in the author's personal story and coming from a skeptic perspective. The audiobook is well read by the author.
I found this book, more a memoir than a guidebook, very entertaining. I had very little previous knowledge of (or interest in) veteran journalist Dan Harris before downloading this audiobook, but I found the clear writing and humourous tone easy to get into.
As a driven, Type A, somewhat temperamental reporter, Harris' journey into accepting meditation as something that could make his life better was definitely bumpy, and his willingness to share his mistakes and foibles makes him likeable.
A great listen on a drive.
Thoroughly enjoyable to listen to and sprinkled with snippets of wisdom to share, this is a worthwhile book to listen to on long car trips and on one's commute. Dan Harris is very honest about himself throughout.
A brutally honest review of one person's struggle to find inner peace is this chaotic world. Decent summary of techniques/resources at the end.
Overall a very good read (or listen -- audiobook), read aloud by the author. The writer gives his experiences of becoming
an expert meditator. I guess I thought the book would be more instructional rather than inspirational -- the reader is encouraged to start meditating by the mid to end of the book. Overall, the writer gives many compelling arguments/benefits to the reader to become more mindful/happy and to start meditating.
Thanks, Daniel, for very helpful review.
I've read a fair share of self-help books, most of them underwhelming, and I can tell you this is not the case with Dan Harris' 10% Happier. First off, it's not self-help in the categorical sense; it's a memoir. And it's a side-splitting, hilarious one at that. Also, spoiler alert, the 'Self-Help That Actually Works' from the subtitle refers to meditation.
Harris is an established news correspondent for ABC. Maybe you know him from TV? I don't watch ABC News nor had I heard of Dan Harris before reading this book. His road from budding career journalist to writing 10% Happier evolved out of a reporter's curiosity as much as out of personal necessity. A decade ago, after years of career stagnation and a sprawling drug habit that eventually led to an on-air panic attack, Harris began a journey of introspection. Meditation wasn't even on his radar right away either. That discovery didn't happen until after some time spent covering the religion beat for ABC. Even then there was no magic light bulb, no grand ah-ha moment for Harris. He poo-pooed meditation long before sincerely giving it a try himself.
Three things stand out that makes this book a winner: (1) Harris' transformation from meditation skeptic to daily practitioner is humbling and genuine. Of special note, the section on his first meditation retreat is possibly the crown jewel of the entire book. (2) Harris' writing style and humor. What can I say? I like edgy, ironic, occasionally vulgar humor. Win-win. ("Flophouse in Duluth!") And (3), if you're interested in trying meditation, as I was and still am, then 10% Happier is the ideal introduction without feeling like a how-to manual. Instructional manuals often lack emotional context. This is real life.