A Course in Happiness

"Wise counsel from one of America's most respected psychiatrists." -Irvin Yalom, author of Staring at the Sun and When Nietzsche Wept, Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry, Stanford University


For many, getting in touch with that elusive thing called "happiness" is rarely simple—and achieving any kind of lasting happiness can feel like an insurmountable challenge. Perhaps what we need is an education on the subject . . . A Course in Happiness. In this book, Mardi Horowitz draws on more than forty years of experience as a practicing psychiatrist to provide readers with just this.

According to Dr. Horowitz, happiness is essentially a by-product of self-knowledge; in order to be happy, we need to understand who we truly are. In A Course in Happiness, he details a deeply rewarding course in mastering the three levels of self-understanding that underlie happiness:

Integration: the ability to assemble all the pieces of one's self into a whole, complete, understood, and respected "me."

Intimacy: the capacity to remain closely connected to the warmth of relationships with family, friends, colleagues, and others in a social community.

Integrity: the insight to know which of one's values are most dear and which are lower in priority—and then to be true to what is the most important, even in the midst of conflict.

A Course in Happiness offers a road map for achieving genuine and lasting contentment.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs