Rating: 
Summary: OK for those consumed with Western-style therapy
Review: I agree with a previous reviewer in that this is a book by a psychiatrist who is looking to reconcile the tenets of his practice with Tibetan buddhism. I have read a lot on buddhism and this series of interviews really misses the mark. The author keeps "pestering" (my words) the Dalai Lama with situation specific strategies and then asks "What if that is too difficult?" "What if that doesn't work, what then?". That's not what Buddhism is about! To me, that's the problem with Western methods, people can't see that an overarching philosophy can be your basis and then you don't have to remember which little tactic to use for each situation. Read something like "Buddhism plain & simple" or pick a book about a particular zen monk and you may walk away a little wiser.
Rating: 
Summary: A little repetitious but really good.
Review: This book is great for anyone ready to hear its message. It is a good book regardless of your religion or lack of it.
Rating:
Summary: Reading the book can be potentially life-changing.
Review: I checked out the book from the public library. I'm here because I want a copy of my own. The book is powerful in its simplicity and easy to read; a wonderful amalgamation of Buddhist spirituality and wonderful common sense wisdom. I didn't find Cutler's contribution instrusive at all. If you are currently wading through life's many challenges, you just may find that this is the focus you've been seeking.
Rating:
Summary: A book for the non-buddhist believer
Review: Firstly, this book is not by the Dalai Lama. It is written by Michael Cutler who includes his interviews with the Dalai Lama. I found this book frustrating. Dr. Cutler interviews the Dalai Lama and then tries to support the Dalai Lama's message with his own personal experiences and scientific research. As a buddhist, I know why and how the Dalai Lama is "happy" and I don't need a psychiatrist to prove it. My message to Dr. Cutler, relax and believe!
Rating:
Summary: An interesting book
Review: This book provides insight into the wisdom of the Dalai Lama. It also shows the answer's to life's questions by this religious leader based on his values derived from the Tibetan Buddhism. It's a very interesting read and should be in every personal library. Another book along these lines that deals with the art of happiness and is also a tremendous handbook for living which has helped me a lot and I must recommend highly is Dietmar Scherf's "I Love Me: Avoiding and Overcoming Depression"--also available at Amazon.
Rating:
Summary: Life changing.
Review: While and after reading this book, I sincerely feel that I went through a metamorphosis. I find it incredible how the printed word can make you realize that there are different ways to look at life and alternatives to seek happiness. In short, I recommend this book: it's insightful, easy to follow, engaging, and appeacing.
Rating:
Summary: A good introduction to living a more compassionate life.
Review: Reading the quotes of H.H. the Dalai Lama in this book inspired me to learn more of Tibetan Buddhism, so I read two more books by H.H. Compared to those more 'technical' tomes, The Art of Happiness is a MUCH easier read for an average American like me. There is SO MUCH to the Tibetan Buddhist path, but Cutler's book distills an essence that anyone can apply with minimal effort, much to the benefit of self and other sentient beings. The meditations are a wonderful introduction for someone who has never tried it before. Being a basicly library (GASP!) sort of person, I checked this out and read it. I DECIDED TO BUY IT because it's a book with several points that I KNOW I will want to reread over time. It's that good.
Rating:
Summary: Basic, affirmative applications for living
Review: Actually I give 5 stars for the Dalai Lama's words, and 3 perhaps for Cutler's. Cutler's attempt to fuse Western psychology with ancient Buddhist tenets is unconvincing, but his respect and admiration for His Holiness is never in doubt. However, Cutler may have unwittingly put himself in an unfavorable light, as the Dalai Lama's words have such an eloquent simplicity that Cutler cannot but fail to match - through no fault of his own actually. His Holiness has such an inborn grace and wisdom that can stand on its own - he needs no "assistance", really. Nevertheless, Cutler's efforts are well worth any trivial shortcomings, as this book is required reading for all those wishing to seek inner contentment. If that sounds like an overly lofty idea, it is surprising to realize, via this book, how relatively simple and gratifying such a pursuit can be. It is a neurotic notion that happiness is elusive; it is something we've all a right to have. Somehow, we're taught that happiness is "bad" because the world is "bad" as subscribed to by scads of those addle-brained, so-called philosophic pessimists such as Freud, Russell, Nietzsche, Schopenhauer, Sartre, and all their ilk. These wretched men focused solely on the LIMITATIONS of mankind, while the Dalai Lama rightly believes in the inherent POSSIBILITIES of our race, and that is what makes this book so priceless.
Rating: 
Summary: A very enjoyable book.
Review: A very enjoyable book that provides great insight into how to live our lives in todays difficult environment. I would recommend it to anyone who is trying to find a deeper meaning for the life they are living or trying to live.
Rating:
Summary: A big hitter.
Review: Dalai Lama, flowing robes, quite striking really. He tries to stiff you at the end though. But when you die, you will receive total consciousness. So ya got that goin' for ya, which is nice. Gunga la gunga!
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