Thrive

Michael McConnohie's appealing resonance, consistency, and skill with dialogue help make this a captivating discussion. It's a survey of why people in four communities across the world--which the author calls "Blue Zones"--are happier than most. Though his methods are rigorous and comprehensive, the author's picturesque writing and empathetic approach to his subjects make his discoveries sound heartfelt and accessible. He shows how attending to one's attitudes and life purpose can help, along with setting up environments that promote authentic enjoyment and good emotional connections with others. Such environments can involve minimizing TV and computer availability, creating peaceful rooms for resting, belonging to a social group, and having a pet or vegetable garden. A superbly produced, life-changing audio. T.W. (c) AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine