The Good Life cover art

The Good Life

Lessons from the World's Longest Study on Happiness

Preview

£0.00 for first 30 days

Try for £0.00
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, celeb exclusives, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

The Good Life

By: Robert Waldinger, Marc Schulz
Narrated by: Robert Waldinger, Marc Schulz
Try for £0.00

£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

Buy Now for £12.99

Buy Now for £12.99

Confirm Purchase
Pay using card ending in
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and authorise Audible to charge your designated card or any other card on file. Please see our Privacy Notice, Cookies Notice and Interest-based Ads Notice.
Cancel

About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

What is the key to a good life?

It is a question that preoccupies us all and one that the longest and most successful study of happiness ever conducted strives to answer. In this groundbreaking audiobook, directors of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz, bring together over 80 years of research to reveal the true components of a happy, fulfilled life.

The Good Life makes clear that what truly makes a rich and happy life is not synonymous with financial success and achievement, but is rather the result of our relationships. This remarkable work brings 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.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz (P)2023 Penguin Audio
Personal Success Psychology Self-Esteem Happiness Inspiring Thought-Provoking Mental Health
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Listeners also enjoyed...

The Top Five Regrets of the Dying cover art
Handbook for Hard Times cover art
The 60-Something Crisis cover art
Areté cover art
The Quiet Rise of Introverts cover art
I Know What to Do, So Why Don't I Do It? cover art
Wait, What? cover art
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People cover art
All Grown Up cover art
Work, Parent, Thrive cover art
Good Relations cover art
How to Think Like a Roman Emperor cover art
Home Is Where the Start Is cover art
Plays Well with Others cover art
The Happiness Project cover art
Mind Hacking Happiness Volume I cover art

Critic reviews

"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 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)

What listeners say about The Good Life

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    47
  • 4 Stars
    14
  • 3 Stars
    5
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    40
  • 4 Stars
    15
  • 3 Stars
    4
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    44
  • 4 Stars
    13
  • 3 Stars
    3
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Interesting and inspiring - would recommend

I really enjoyed listening to this book. It combines research findings, including participants stories with practical implications - and overall have an uplifting view of life.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A fascinating and practically useful review of the science of happiness

This is a thoroughly enjoyable and inspiring audio book. One cannot read it without applying the wisdom it contains to some degree, great or small.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely vital message

Fantastic book! Kept the interest. Main message is that for a good life, good relationships are essential and it’s never too late. Such a vital message. Should be taught in schools. Must read book. Highly recommend.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Insightful and important lessons for everyone

This has been a joy to listen! What a beautifully written book with so many valuable tips on what really matters in life. So interesting to learn about the Harvard study, about the participants and their paths.
Thank you for sharing the findings of the study. I think everyone should read/ listen to this book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Very good

Love the Ted Talks and the reviews.

The examples are brilliant and the advice to take stock of our own lives every now and again is truly insightful.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wow. What a book. What a study

Essential reading for everyone.

I gave this speech at my anniversary after reading this book:
‘To our families – put simply in the words of someone far cleverer than me: “we live knowing the enduring love of our families.’
 
To everyone in this room - some of you who have travelled around the globe to be with us today. When trying to decide who to invite tonight, Sarah and I stumbled across a TED talk which helped. It followed the lives of families over 75 years to understand what makes people happy. This Harvard study found good relationships keep us happier and healthier. So, we simply asked ourselves who are the people who make us happy when we are around them?
 
Everyone in this room makes us happy when we spend time with you, and that’s why you are all here, and we feel truly privileged you have joined us tonight.’

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

One clear message

It's been a long time since I've read a book with only 1 message. Positive connections make you happier. Build your social fitness. Never too late!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

Really enjoyed listening to this book on the insights from a longitudinal study of two groups of men and their respective generations into what makes a 'good life' - It made me reflect on the relationships in my life at its various stages and where I'm at now and for me it's time to build more friendships!!

Loved the authors narrating their book. It kept me listening as their voices worked well together.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

AMAZING

Such an amazing listen, really wonderful insite into happiness and a good life... great work guys!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Relationships are the prize

I was surprised I listened to the whole book when the basic premise is quite simple: good relationships improve our lives. But, I really enjoyed the storytelling and overall message of hope and it never being too late to start or reignite relationships.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!