The Five Thieves of Happiness

by John Izzo
The Five Thieves of Happiness cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Self-Help and Personal Development
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  • ID: 7761
  • Added: 2025-12-16
  • Updated: 2025-12-16
  • ISBN: 9781626569348
  • Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers
  • Published: 2017-01-02
  • Reviews: 3

John Izzo argues that happiness is our natural state, but it is often stolen by insidious mental patterns he calls the five thieves: control, conceit, coveting, consumption, and comfort. Through his personal journey, including walking the Camino de Santiago and living in the Andes, Izzo explores how these thieves disguise themselves and break into our hearts, offering tools to lock them out for good./n/nThis book not only helps individuals reclaim their happiness but also addresses how these same thieves are affecting society as a whole. Izzo provides a vision for creating a world where happiness is the true nature of humanity, making this a thoughtful and inspiring read for anyone seeking peace of mind and a better world.

Reviews
Audible · 2025-12-16
wonderful 4.25

The audiobook provides terrific insights and the narrator brings the book to life. The winding path of the book may be off-putting for some, but the reviewer found it wonderful.

The reviewer found the audiobook version of the book to be a wonderful experience. They appreciated the terrific insights provided in the book and the engaging narration that brought the book to life. The reviewer acknowledged that the winding path of the book may be off-putting for some, but they found it to be a valuable and thought-provoking journey. Overall, the reviewer thought the audiobook was a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their happiness and well-being.

Quick quotes

    This winding path, may be off-putting for some, but I found it wonderful.

    Terrific insights.

    The narrator really made this book come alive.

Queen of Hearts & Hustle · 2018-01-25
inspiring 3.75

The book discusses the things in life that attempt to steal our happiness and provides insights on how to overcome them. The reviewer found the book thought-provoking and inspiring.

The reviewer appreciated the book's focus on the things in life that attempt to steal our happiness. They found the insights provided in the book thought-provoking and inspiring, and they appreciated the practical advice on how to overcome these obstacles. The reviewer also liked the book's engaging writing style, which they found easy to read and relatable. Overall, the reviewer thought the book was a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their happiness and well-being.

Quick quotes

    The book talks about the things in life that attempt to steal our happiness.

    The insights provided in the book are thought-provoking and inspiring.

    The book provides practical advice on how to overcome these obstacles.

Vince Review · 2017-04-28
insightful 4.00

The book argues that happiness is our natural state and that we should stop seeking it and instead get out of its way. The author provides practical advice on how to overcome common obstacles to happiness.

The reviewer found the book's central premise intriguing and thought-provoking. They appreciated the author's argument that happiness is our natural state and that we often create our own obstacles to it. The reviewer also liked the practical advice provided in the book, which they found helpful in overcoming common obstacles to happiness. Overall, the reviewer thought the book was a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their happiness and well-being.

Quick quotes

    Stop Seeking Happiness; Just Get Out of Its Way!

    Happiness is our natural state, for each of us and for humanity as a whole.

    The book provides practical advice on how to overcome common obstacles to happiness.

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