The Anatomy of Happiness

Book excerpt: First published in 1951, The Anatomy of Happiness by German-born physician Dr. Martin S. Gumpert is a medical interpretation of the contributory causes to happiness—and, conversely, unhappiness. The book analyzes both the physical and the psychological factors which play their part. There is the unhappy man, who may feel trapped, who is too timid or too aggressive, worried, or misplaced; there is the pathology of unhappiness which may result from obesity, being underweight, insomnia, headaches, ulcers, or one of any number of chronic ailments; there are the sources of unhappiness, whether in childhood, adolescence, or later in life as one approaches the climacteric and old age; and then there are the means of attaining happiness, through hope, loss of fear and faith, and through the tangibles of home, clothing and health. An indispensable read for all those seeking to attain, and maintain, happiness.