Rating: 
Summary: this book is a fraud
Review: I'm very disappointed - I thought this book was by the Dalai Lama - but it isn't. It is by some psychiatrist. I wanted to hear what the Dalai Lama had to say - not Harry Cutler. Don't buy this if you expect words of wisdom from the Dalai Lama!
Rating: 
Summary: This book is everything it is supposed to be.
Review: Dr. Cutler's book is everything it is supposed to be. From the cover it's obviously not intended to be a ground-shaking revelation that only Dr. Cutler and the Dalai Lama could present. It is instead a "handbook for living". In this light, the book has a very specific purpose, and that is to assist us in living happily. To his credit, Dr. Cutler has brought into the lives of ordinary people both tools for living and the insight of a world-wide spiritual leader whose ideas once seemed exotic and abstract. Dr. Cutler's book has illuminated an area of living that may have been obscured to many, and this might explain the astounding success of his efforts with the Dalai Lama. The book is well written, neither talking down to the reader nor attempting to impress the lay-person with his exclusive knowledge. The 'Handbook for Living' is exactly that. It is a completely successful work done in a tone that both acknowledges the human tendency to find sorrow and celebrates our ultimate ability to choose happiness. It is treasured at our home.
Rating: 
Summary: INSPIRING and REWARDING
Review: I like what he says. He seems to be a good man. And his ideas are inspiring and make one feel better.Another book I just read about happiness and inner peace and satisfaction that I love was called "Working On Yourself Doesn't Work: A Book About Instantaneous Transformation" by Ariel and Shya Kane. The authors talk about a way to discover enlightenment without working or trying to fix yourself, do therapy, or even do years of chanting etc. It is Eastern as well as a western approach. But I think it is certainly an easier apporach than the Dalai Lama's for most modern people. Their appraoch recommends being active in the world and giving your totality to living your life,doing your job, loving your loved ones, enjoying your friends: and be able to have detachment from your history. I loved this book! Ariel and Shya Kane, like the Dalai Lama, are special people, and you can feel that the authors have integrity and are operating with a pure heart...And it helps everyone...
Rating:
Summary: An affirmation of personal happiness potential.
Review: I so enjoyed reading this book and have always felt that the Dalai Lama is "on" in terms of how to lead a happy existence. It provides wonderful gems in the form of the thoughts and practices that are within us but we tend to forget and a timely reminder is always for the better. The wonderful book of quotations "Timeless Wisdom: Illuminating thoughts on the art of living" includes thoughts from the Dalai Lama as well as hundreds of other masters and is an ideal partner for this type of book!
Rating: 
Summary: Common sense for some, reality check for some others.
Review: Much of this book is commonsense advice on putting things in perspective, appreciating what we take for granted, and just "taking it slow"--ordinary checking points to our everyday trifles that we somehow always forget to think about. The Dalai Lama's musings are a nice reminder. As far as actually teaching anything, however, this book is a disappointment. Only the emotionally immature or naive among us who truly believe that extra money in the wallet or a new sportscar will actually result in a permanent rise in their level of content will find this book genuinely informative. (But on the other hand, the number of people who think this way should not be underestimated.) Nevertheless, as I mentioned earlier, for the more grounded among us, it is a gentle, worthwhile reminder of what's important. But for this purpose, simply browsing through it in a store or library accomplishes the same as buying it. Suit yourself.
Rating:
Summary: Insight into the wisdom of the Dalai Lama
Review: In this book essential questions of life are discussed by the Dalai Lama. His convictions are grounded in the Tibetan Buddhism as he's the religious leader thereof. His virtues are based on human goodness with a spiritual outlook, and most readers will find this an interesting read. Another book that deals with the art of happiness, and to me is a phenomenal handbook for living and has helped me tremendously, and I must recommend highly is Dietmar Scherf's "I Love Me: Avoiding and Overcoming Depression" also available at Amazon.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Book With Everything You Need To Know
Review: This book was a great read. I loved how the Dalai Lama was so happy and optimistic through the whole book, and it gave me a new outlook on life.
Rating: 
Summary: A good reminder, nothing I haven't heard before.
Review: I listened to the audio tape rather than reading it, so maybe I missed something. I definitely admire the Dalai Lama and what he stands for, but what the book preaches is pretty logical for any normal human being and served more as a reminder rather than new insight. Compassion and happiness...easier said than done, at least in our society today. I wish he would've explained more how he came to what he is...why and how he doesn't crave what he doesn't have, or get angry when wrong has hit him. It seemed like he was basically preaching to the choir. Anyone who would read his book would hope to get more out of what he gave. What he said was logical and nothing I haven't heard before. The meditations were pretty cool, and I wish he wouldn't gotten more into them. It seemed a little repetetive, but it was a good reminder of how we should all be living our lives. Although I could go hang out with my parent's for a couple of hours for this reminder.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent guide of living
Review: Eventhough I'm not a budhist, but I welcome all the sense of budhism. I love the ideas and I practice the points in the book combined with my personal believe. These have created happiness and peace within me. This book is a great reference for a searching soul.
Rating:
Summary: What a joy!
Review: Anyone looking for more joy in life will appreciate this book. Like THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE, does from a Christian perspective, this book offers a Buddhist outlook on life and the world around us.
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