Books and writing

Who Really Cares (2006)

Basic Books. A study of charitable giving in America written while he taught at Syracuse. It looks at who gives money and time and why.

Harvard Kennedy School: Arthur C. Brooks curriculum vitae · Vanderbilt University: Arthur C. Brooks to join faculty at Vanderbilt (23 April 2026)

Gross National Happiness: Why Happiness Matters for America and How We Can Get More of It (2008)

Basic Books. His first book on happiness. He used survey data to argue that faith, family, work and liberty go with happiness. He reported that self-described conservatives said they were very happy more often than liberals.

Harvard Kennedy School: Arthur C. Brooks curriculum vitae · Freakonomics: Conservatives are happier than liberals (23 April 2008)

The Battle (2010)

Basic Books. Written as he began at AEI. A case for free enterprise against a growing state. The same year he co-wrote Wealth and Justice with Peter Wehner.

Harvard Kennedy School: Arthur C. Brooks curriculum vitae · Wikipedia: Arthur C. Brooks

The Road to Freedom: How to Win the Fight for Free Enterprise (2012)

Basic Books. He argues that free enterprise should be defended in moral terms and not only economic ones. Earned success is the key idea.

Harvard Kennedy School: Arthur C. Brooks curriculum vitae · Wikipedia: Arthur C. Brooks

The Conservative Heart: How to Build a Fairer, Happier, and More Prosperous America (2015)

Broadside Books. He tells conservatives they lose because people think they do not care. He asks them to make a moral case for helping the poor through work. He backs a wider Earned Income Tax Credit over a higher minimum wage. Roger Pilon in the Cato Journal said “He’s right” about rhetoric. He felt Brooks dismissed private charity too quickly.

Cato Journal: Roger Pilon reviews The Conservative Heart (Winter 2016) · Harvard Kennedy School: Arthur C. Brooks curriculum vitae

Love Your Enemies: How Decent People Can Save America from the Culture of Contempt (2019)

Broadside Books. His last book as AEI president. It names contempt as the poison of American politics. It asks readers to answer contempt with warmth. A national bestseller. Politico listed it among the top books of 2019.

Wikipedia: Arthur C. Brooks · Harvard Kennedy School: Arthur C. Brooks curriculum vitae

From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life (2022)

Portfolio. Grew out of his 2019 Atlantic essay. Most professionals peak earlier than they expect. He urges them to move from fluid to crystallised intelligence. He draws on Indian and Buddhist teachings and the Christian tradition. Debuted at number one on the New York Times list. Kirkus called it “Thoughtful reflections and practical counsel”. It was recommended by Oprah Winfrey and endorsed by the Dalai Lama.

Wikipedia: Arthur C. Brooks · Kirkus Reviews: From Strength to Strength (15 February 2022) · NPR: Arthur Brooks says strivers can end up unhappier later in life (18 February 2022)

Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier (2023)

Portfolio. Written with Oprah Winfrey. It sets out the three macronutrients of happiness and the four pillars. It teaches metacognition and emotional self-management. Editions appeared in India and in Hindi and Marathi. Debuted at number one on the New York Times list. Amazon named it one of the best books of 2023.

The Boston Globe: Arthur Brooks teams up with Oprah (7 January 2024) · Wikipedia: Arthur C. Brooks · Harvard Kennedy School: Arthur C. Brooks curriculum vitae

The Happiness Files: Insights on Work and Life (2025)

Harvard Business Review Press. Essays that ask readers to run their life like a startup. Each begins with behavioural science and ends with advice. They grew out of his Harvard Business School course Leadership and Happiness.

Harvard Kennedy School: The Happiness Files (12 August 2025)

The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness (2026)

Portfolio. Published on 31 March 2026. A guide to finding purpose through transcendence, love and calling. It draws on philosophers and the world’s faiths. A number one New York Times bestseller. Vanderbilt gave a copy to each graduating student in 2026.

Penguin Random House: The Meaning of Your Life · Vanderbilt University: Arthur C. Brooks to join faculty at Vanderbilt (23 April 2026) · WFAE/NPR: Arthur Brooks wants to help you find ‘The Meaning of Your Life’ (8 April 2026)

Overview · Life · Ideas · Books · Videos · Debates · People I learn from