The Happiness of Pursuit: Finding the Quest That Will Bring Purpose to Your Life Paperback – Illustrated, April 5, 2016

A profoundly inspiring book that has left a lasting impact on my perspective on life and purpose. This book is not just a read; it's an experience, a call to action to redefine one's life journey. The author brilliantly intertwines personal anecdotes with stories of individuals from around the world who have embarked on remarkable quests. These narratives are not only motivating but also deeply human, resonating with anyone who seeks meaning in their life. What stands out is the central idea that pursuing a personal quest can lead to a more fulfilling and purpose-driven life. The writing is accessible, engaging, and thought-provoking, making complex concepts easy to understand and relate to. This book challenges you to look beyond the conventional paths and dare to dream bigger. It's a guide, a source of encouragement, and a reminder that the pursuit of happiness often lies in the journey, not just the destination. Whether you're feeling stuck in life or just looking for some inspiration to embark on your own quest, 'The Happiness of Pursuit' is a must-read. It's an enlightening book that has the power to transform your outlook on life and spur you into action.

The Happiness of Pursuit: Finding the Quest That Will Bring Purpose to Your Lifeby Chris GuillebeauA remarkable book that will both guide and inspire, The Happiness of Pursuit reveals how anyone can bring meaning into their life by undertaking a quest. I purchased this book expecting more than what I had read. Not that Chris Guillebeau is a bad writer. He is a great writer and this book,” When he set out to visit all of the planet’s countries by age thirty-five, compulsive goal seeker Chris Guillebeau never imagined that his journey’s biggest revelation would be how many people like himself exist – each pursuing a challenging quest. And, interestingly, these quests aren’t just travel-oriented. On the contrary, they’re as diverse as humanity itself. Some involve exploration; others the pursuit of athletic or artistic excellence; still others a battle against injustice or poverty or threats to the environment.”With that said, I enjoyed the real stories but also felt it went a little over board. Like I have passions and I would not do what he did. It’s nice that he shared his real life experience and many positive things were shared.Quote “: The more Chris spoke with these strivers, the more he began to appreciate the direct link between questing and long-term happiness -- how going after something in a methodical way enriches our lives -- and he was compelled to complete a comprehensive study of the phenomenon and extract the best advice. In The Happiness of Pursuit he draws on interviews with hundreds of questers, revealing their secret motivations, their selection criteria, the role played by friends and family, their tricks for solving logistics, and the importance of documentation. Equally fascinating is Chris’ examination of questing’s other side, including questers’ acute awareness of mortality, their struggle against monotony, and their wistful feelings once a quest has succeeded. What happens after the summit is climbed, the painting hung, the endurance record broken, the “at risk” community saved?A book that challenges each of us to take control – to make our lives be about something while at the same time remaining clear-eyed about the commitment -- The Happiness of Pursuit will inspire readers of every age and aspiration. It’s a playbook for making your life count. I have read his other two books which I found more interesting and well worth buying.The Art of Non-Conformity: Set Your Own Rules, Live the Life You Want, and Change the World (Perigee … by Chris Guillebeau Paperback $10.37The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future by Chris Guillebeau Hardcover $13.68© 2015 Jackie Paulson

It was the book I needed given the book I’m writing and the class I’m teaching. Perfect. For anyone ready to take the next step in any direction.

Overall the book is meh. I read it for class. Theres not really anything I didn't already know. Most of the stories are possible because the person is in a place of privilege (which was never addressed). Theres really no spiritual insight, Its almost materialistic. Its almost a feel good book although it does address some of the challenges to finding your quest. Honestly you'll get more just listening to Joseph Campbell on youtube.

This book isn't for everyone. And it’s because of Chris Guillebeau’s background. He has completed his quest of travelling to all the countries in world.Those who pick up this book hoping to learn how they can do it themselves will be disappointed. This isn't a “how to make time and money to travel the world, like I did” sort of book. There is no dearth of such book in the Amazon ecosystem.What this book offers is something far more important. It delves into the bigger why of people start a quest of their own. And Chris does this not only through his own travel stories, he also narrates the stories of other people following their personal quests. None of these quests were an easy stroll in the park. Most people would even say these quests were ridiculous.Therein lies the book’s veiled secret. The questers admit that there were periods of suffering and self doubt but, they kept going. And they were glad that they did.It is this strange phenomenon that this book tries to examine -- The pursuit of the quest seems to make these people happy, even though the journey itself didn't. It makes a case for dedicating yourself to a higher purpose, and finding happiness in pursuit of it.Happiness Of Pursuit, seeks to inspire you to start a quest of your own, because it has been a true source of happiness for the people in the book. It doesn't have to be as grand as sailing across the world or walking the breadth of America (although, they make for brilliant stories). It can be something small, simple, and more importantly, meaningful to you. I’ll end with a quote from the book,"While many quests are born out of spontaneity and a yearning for romance, a healthy dose of reasoning is needed if you hope to see your quest through."PS - If nothing else, pick up this book for the wonderful stories of ordinary people following an unconventional path in defiance of the status quo.

This book is for anyone that has ever felt like there must be more to life, or had a yearning to accomplish something meaningful with their life. Full of interesting stories and fascinating examples of quests.