Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. (1883–1939)

Why this book? Well, I needed a book focused on happiness and didn't feel like getting bogged down in books on spiritual Tao/Buddhist approaches to happiness. That, and the fact that I never knew that the actor Douglas Fairbanks had written several self-help books. Laugh and Live was originally published in 1917, so I was also curious to see how Fairbanks' advice holds up 100 years later. I think it holds up pretty good! Fairbanks takes a very practical, holistic "mind/body" approach to a wholesome, happy life. While Fairbanks did not coin the phrase, "Laughter is the best medicine", he does extol the health benefits of a hearty laugh:

"I like to laugh. It is a tonic. It braces me up—makes me feel fine!—and keeps me in prime mental condition. Laughter is a physiological necessity. The nerve system requires it. The deep, forceful chest movement in itself sets the blood to racing thereby livening up the circulation—which is good for us."

Fairbanks talks about good values (daily exercise; taking stock of who we are/our aspirations; learning and profiting from our experiences; building one's personality; honesty as a character builder; the importance of cleanliness of body and mind and consideration for others) and the bad ones (self-indulgence; living beyond our means; lack of initiative/self-reliance; failure to seize opportunities we hold within us and failing to assume responsibility for one's actions). Even the chapter "Wedlock in Time" - although decidedly dated in presentation - still contains a lot of advice that would continue to ring true today. Fairbanks keeps the tone light and entertaining while dishing out advice, making use of "Mister Numbskull" to portray someone who lives his life poorly by failing to seize opportunities that come knocking his way.

A quick, fun and informative read. I am now on the trail to see what other shelf-help books Fairbanks wrote!… (mere)