« A praise of happiness in our daily lives » Vanity Fair – may 2014

 « This enlightning testimonial is a highly convincing and inspiring example » Le Figaro – may 2014

 « An impressive and well documented publication about the recipes to happiness » Challenges – may 2014

 « A model to be meditated  » Le Point – may 2014

Malene Rydahl’s first book “Heureux comme un Danois” (Happy as a Dane) was published by Grasset in France in April 2014. The book became a best-seller and was awarded the prize of the most optimistic book in 2014. It has been published in 12 countries including the United States, Germany, Spain, , Russia, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.

To buy the book online click here for the paperback in English

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About the book

 

For decades Denmark has ranked at the top of the world’s happiness surveys.

How is it that these 5.6 million Danes are so content when they live in a country that is dark and cold nine months out of the year and where income taxes are at almost 60%?

At a time when talk across the Western world is focused on unemployment woes, government overreach, and anti-taxation lobbies, our Danish counterparts seem to breathe a healthier and fresher air.

From open-air vegetable stands, to leaving their babies unattended while the parents have a coffee, to very generous paternity leave policies, Malene Rydahl explores how the values of trust, education, and a healthy work-life balance – to name just a few – contribute to a “happy” population. Furthermore she provides tips that we can all apply to our daily lives regardless of where we live.

Interweaving personal anecdotes and careful research, Rydahl steers clear of any preaching and tackles the ostensible paradox of the Danish model, offering ten easy, entertaining, and thoughtful ways to be happy – or at least as happy as a Dane.