I read this book many years ago and it made me mad. I sat there thinking how can you say happiness is a choice. The theme is repeated over and over in different stories. I read it within the last couple years again. My perspective has changed. I understand it now. Although, it is hard to choose happiness when everything is going wrong. It is possible though. This is a book more of stories and how people chose happiness. It is not a book that goes through a process of how to choose it. If you aren't ready for this book it will most likely make you mad. If you want a great book on happiness, that has really helped me, I recommend "Happiness Now". Happiness Now actually changed the way I looked at things so I could choose happiness. So, I believe starting with a book that shows you how to change your perspective is a better bet.