The complementary medicine pioneer, clear voiced as ever, sounds softer here than when he’s narrating in professor mode. With humble references to his own depression and search for happiness, he sounds more connected to his listeners. Frequent happiness is an unrealistic goal, he says. Shoot for calm serenity and a range of emotional responses to life that we tilt toward the positive with thoughtful practice. With his knack for making complex information sound familiar, he describes the strengths and limitations of various approaches to emotional contentment—Eastern and Western, biomedical and spiritual. He suggests we seek a neutral midpoint between happiness and depression—emotional sea level—and cultivate habits that lead to more emotional resilience. With many state-of-the-art strategies, this is a must-hear for anyone seeking more peace in his or her life.
Pub Date: Nov. 8, 2011
Duration: 7 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781611139723
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Dan Harris traces his experience finding a quieter, more peaceful mind, and life, through the unlikely pursuit of meditation. Deeply skeptical, he’s ultimately convinced by the scientific research showing meditation’s benefits. Harris says the voice in his head, the “inner narrator” he seeks to quiet, is a “total pill”—a voice that “comes braying in, heckling us all day with an air horn.” Unfortunately, his own narration has a way of grating on the ear, especially when he’s describing meditation with a cynical, yet-to-be converted eye or taking a competitive approach to mindfulness. Eventually, the ear adjusts and listeners can absorb interesting glimpses into Harris’s life as a broadcaster and his journey with meditation. However, some still may prefer to read the book to themselves.
Pub Date: March 11, 2014
Duration: 7 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780062331892
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
While a brief introduction to this audiobook is voiced by Dick Van Dyke himself, the balance is assigned to his friend Tom Bergeron. He does a remarkable, impeccable, and simply wonderful job, narrating with a rhythm and tonality similar to Van Dyke's. One might believe one is listening to the 100-year-old actor himself. In addition to talking about his life, Van Dyke also quite candidly describes living with the health and mobility issues that have touched him in his most recent years. Throughout the presentation, anecdotes and vignettes thoughtfully portray the pivotal influences on the man and his sensibilities. The novel approach of presenting the ever optimistic Van Dyke's "rules for living" works effectively.
Pub Date: Nov. 18, 2025
Duration: 7 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668652992
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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