How to Be Alive: A Guide to the Kind of Happiness That Helps the World

By means of stories, case studies, exercises, and expert advice, Beavan (No-Impact Man) aims to inspire readers to become involved citizens. Emphasizing that the best method of achieving happiness is to live by the famous bumper sticker dictum “Be the change you want to see in the world” (often falsely attributed to Gandhi), he shows readers how to connect with their true selves. The key is to identify and live in accord with one’s real values, engage in activities that provide intrinsic rewards, and avoid being overwhelmed by the scope of the world’s problems by choosing small, easy things to do first. Those who do this are “lifequesters... who have woken up to the possibility that they don’t just have to try to fit themselves to the old so-called facts of life.” Beavan organizes the text into seven parts, each focusing on a particular aspect of life, such as “Finding Your People” and “The Gentle Path.” His style is accessible and colloquial, interspersing the text with tips and lists of action items. Beavan’s prescriptions add up to an encouraging approach to living a less materialistic, more fulfilling life. (Jan.)