Paul Martin gave up an academic life as a behavioural biologist to write. He has tackled common but puzzling topics, such as sleep, with the insight of a scientist. In Making Happy People (Harper Perennial, £8.99), he unpicks what we know about happiness. He concentrates on how and what we can do to make children happy. He points out that we have paid scant attention to this subject: over a period of just under 30 years, 90,000 papers were published on depression, anger and anxiety, but just 5000 on joy and happiness.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Life
Hard but lightweight ‘bio-metal’ material discovered in sea worm jaws
News
Life
A worm that lived half a billion years ago preferred turning right
News
Life
Chris Packham: ‘I’d throw myself in front of a T. Rex to be consumed’
Culture
Life
Bumblebee facial movements give clues to their inner lives
News
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles