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Solitaire Townsend
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The Happy Hero Paperback – October 10, 2017

by Solitaire Townsend (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 54 ratings
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Want to be happier? The Happy Hero reveals the secret to feeling good by doing good. Packed with advice, stories and ways to change your life by changing the world.

“As I read this book, my internal monologue ran in parallel, saying, "YES! That's how I do it." Fleur Britten - The Sunday Times

Everyday we are bombarded with fear and negativity from the media and have been trained out of happiness by these stories of doom. But there is a simple solution; stop worrying about the future and start making it better. Luckily, many of the changes we need to make to build a better world, we want to do anyway.

New research proves that making a difference, even in small ways, can extend your life, improve your love life and even help you recover from a cold...because, it turns out, saving the world is very good for you.

So, are you ready to be a hero?
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    192 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Unbound
  4. Publication date
    October 10, 2017
  5. Dimensions
    5.35 x 0.87 x 8.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1911586394
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1911586395
  8. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Unbound (October 10, 2017)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1911586394
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1911586395
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.35 x 0.87 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 54 ratings

About the author

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Solitaire Townsend

Solitaire Townsend

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Solitaire has been trying to make the world a better place for nearly 30 years. As co-founder of the change agency Futerra, she advises governments, charities and big brands on ways to solve social and environmental problems.

With Futerra offices now in London, Stockholm, New York, San Francisco and Mexico City she admits that making the world a better place was a good business plan. You can watch her TEDx talks online and read her in the Guardian, Huffington Post and more often on twitter. She was once even profiled in Harper’s Bazaar; but they didn’t let her keep the clothes. Her post-graduate degrees in both Shakespeare and Sustainability are put to good use in her books. As is her love of Star Trek.

Solitaire would like you to know that yes, she thinks it’s a pretty name too. And no, she wasn’t named after the Bond girl.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
54 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Gaurav Das
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring guide for every change maker
Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2017
Verified Purchase
An inspiring guide to creating change - irrespective of titles, jobs or networks. Bookmark this book, read it on repeat and then activate. Because we can all be heros in our own ways.
3 people found this helpful
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Clare O'Beara
5.0 out of 5 stars Happy hero
Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2018
This is an enjoyable British-based look at how to accomplish, overcome and be happy.

I know that when I have tons of thing to do, it helps to write them down, on paper, computer or recently a phone memo. Then I pick one item and do it. Then another during the two minutes it takes to boil the kettle for a congratulatory cup of coffee. While there should be priorities, I find that doing any item is good. The fact of taking action helps me feel positive and more in control of my time. The book is all for this. Lists of suggested activities are given.

Breaking a big job into small steps and taking them in logical order is also really positive, but that's not stated in this book. However, it is implied. Accomplishing a few items on one trip is great, saving time and energy; and inspiring or helping others often seems to flow naturally. For instance, bringing a durable plastic cup around to sip of the perfectly drinkable tap water, instead of either buying bottled water (or worse, sugary drinks) or using a flimsy one-use cup.

You may have noticed a theme. The book takes us through psychological studies and techniques, but the examples given are about making a cleaner environment and helping to resolve climate change issues. Sometimes people can be so scared of big issues that they don't do anything. We're shown that by making a few small changes, like eating less meat or fitting low-energy use appliances, or cycling more, we can help ourselves and others. Then, of course we can visibly help others too, like a swap of clothes evening or volunteering. (Swap of books for me.)

The fictional tale of a young mother trying to reassure her son about the climate, inspiring positive change, is a nice fable. I like the constant breaking down of personality types and challenges into groups or factors. Me, I've been green for my entire life. But for anyone coming fresh to the challenges our planet faces, this is a great book. I did find it self-absorbed; about humanity and not biodiversity. I particularly like the comparison with the Great Exhibition in London.
I recommend the Arnold Schwarzenegger / Bill Nye short film 'Climate Change Grief'.

Correction to text: the author calls all the fuels we burn, coal and oil and gas, but also wood and dung, fossil fuels. Wood and dung are not fossilised; they are just fuels. They are renewables. I advise correcting this (shown below) if the author wants to be taken seriously. As I have had this book for a few months the latest edition may be corrected.

"That carbon comes from us – from our fossil fuels. The term ‘fossil fuels’ basically means burnable carbon: petrol used in cars, coal, wood, natural gas and even the animal droppings burned in the poorest countries all release carbon dioxide."
Solitaire Townsend. The Happy Hero (Kindle Locations 735-737).

The author kindly sent me an e-ARC. This is an unbiased review.
One person found this helpful
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Cara
4.0 out of 5 stars Timely and inspiring
Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2018
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Inspiring and actionable. Doom and gloom won’t get us anywhere! Thank you Solitaire for this timely and uplifting book. I’m off for my second read with my highlighter, some great sound bites in here to remember.
One person found this helpful
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Daniel Cross
5.0 out of 5 stars 'The feedback loop between heroism and your own happiness can transform your life'
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2018
'The feedback loop between heroism and your own happiness can transform your life'. I'm an optimist by instinct, but this clever read succinctly provides the evidence to back up why optimism is better for people AND planet. Full of inspiration to get you moving and something I think I will come back to again and again.
One person found this helpful
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Michael
5.0 out of 5 stars This makes Happy Hero a helpful guide to both those who want ...
Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2017
Solitaire's secret weapon is her deep insights into both optimism and pragmatism. This makes Happy Hero a helpful guide to both those who want to create a better world but don't know where to start and those who have been on the journey for a while and are feeling burned out.
3 people found this helpful
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Briony_G
5.0 out of 5 stars An important, and very timely, read.
Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2018
Put this book on the top of your 2018 reading list. It's a genuinely inspiring and accessible read, making a topic that can feel so huge and scary - 'how do we change the world?!' - feel not only totally within our control, but possible to do with a smile on our face.
One person found this helpful
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Hannah Phang
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book! Packed with info and data while also ...
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2018
Amazing book! Packed with info and data while also being a fun and easy read. Great inspiration for those who want to do good but aren't sure where or how to start. Highly recommend!
One person found this helpful
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Hannah Stirk
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly and happily recommended.
Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2017
Solitaire's book packs quite a punch. Solid evidence, delivered clearly and with wit, supports the books notion that doing good can feel good, alongside practical and achievable suggestions for how to go about being your own superhero. Highly and happily recommended.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Iain61
5.0 out of 5 stars Essential read for anybody despairing at how to find climate change consensus
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 31, 2019
Verified Purchase
This is a very uplifting book. Being a normal 21st century cynic I started the book with minimal expectations but this should be obligatory reading for young and old. In a world being destroyed by polemic Solitaire Townsend reminds us that once there was such concepts as solidarity and consensus and there doesn't always to have to winners or losers. It would be against the spirit of the book to order you to read it but you will be the poorer if you don't - and quickly!
2 people found this helpful
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Maria Daniela Vianna
5.0 out of 5 stars This book is so timely!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 14, 2019
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I believe that everyone has a mission in life. If a person turns his/her back to his/her mission, nobody else can get that job done. This book helps us to connect with our missions in life. It shows us that is possible to follow the formula ‘doing good feels good’. And the happy heroism journey proposed by Ms. Townsend is based on scientific knowledge related to social psychology, motivation, altruism, happiness, health, etc. It’s so timely! I strongly recommend this book!
2 people found this helpful
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miss samantha j callaghan
4.0 out of 5 stars Friendly and practical
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 26, 2018
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Refreshing to read a book dealing with big issues like climate change that is far from intimidating and is full of practical and actionable advice.
One person found this helpful
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P.F. Medina
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 15, 2020
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Great book with very interesting approaches and theories. Its inspirstional and easy to rrad and tackles one of the most extendended impediments to action, the feeling of being powerless to achieve a big goal. The focus on climate change is very needed, read this book now.
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Karen
5.0 out of 5 stars Happy Hero is the perfect Christmas gift!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 24, 2017
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This is just what we all need now - everyone should read this book! A wonderful heartfelt read, it's the perfect festive gift for friends and family. We have the power to make things better together and our individual actions matter, to us as well as our communities. Collectively we can change the world, while having fun and being happy - one happy hero at a time!!
4 people found this helpful
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