I found the presentation of this book as a guide to improve my own life by finding purpose and expressing generosity a bit misleading. For me, the book read more as an inspirational memoir than a self-help guide for others. The author is a compelling figure and he shares a worthwhile message,
Full transparency: I found myself more envious of the people he gifted with prequests than motivated to employ his tactics.

I came away a bit torn after reading The Happiness Experiment. While the prose didn’t fully engage me—the writing lacked fluidity in my opinion—I did find the author’s core message inspiring. Though I can’t fully get behind all of his philosophical conclusions about happiness, I do admire his spirit of generosity that shines through. It made a real impact on me.

It might prompt you to reflect on your own generosity, too—not just as a self-serving strategy, but as a way to help others find happiness too. That alone makes it worth a read, even if it didn’t work for me stylistically or philosophically.

My thanks to NetGalley for the review copy of this book.

The Happiness Experiment follows a wealthy man who, after a near-death experience, decides to give “pre-quests” to the people in his will—financial gifts given while he’s still alive. Recipients must work with a happiness coach or a partner to explore what will truly make them happy, and he even covers gift taxes and offers access to his CPA/financial advisor.

I love the concept of a pre-quest. After working hard and saving, how amazing would it be to see firsthand how your gift benefits others? I started the book skeptical, worried it might come off as pretentious, but ultimately I understood the author’s intent. I could relate to the joy of hearing what people do with a gift—knowing you played a role in making something possible.

I did find myself skimming at times, as I didn’t need all the nitty-gritty details of each recipient’s life. Still, the planning pages at the end are worth exploring.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Happiness Experiment has an interesting premise, and I appreciated the intention behind the book. However, I struggled to stay engaged and ultimately didn’t finish it. While some readers may connect with the philosophical approach and structured ideas, it didn’t quite resonate with me personally.

That said, it may still be a worthwhile read for those interested in self-development from a more structured or Objectivist perspective.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

The author Carl B. Barney evidently has made a boatload of money out of meager beginnings. All this money has not really made him very happy. So after some reflection, he decided to "bring forward" some of his bequeaths that were to be provided in his will (calling them "pre-queaths").

Some went to family, but several went to employees.

Part of me kept wondering, if he is giving this money to his employees ... why didn't he provide them wages and investment tools for them in the first place?

Anyway, the book takes us through several steps. Author not appreciating his vast fortune. Providing a way to communicate the gift of money to the people that have meant something to him and that they need to spend the money on only certain things - can't give to charity - and have a plan on how they are going to spend the money. Then additional be/pre-queaths. And then results of what people have spent money on.

I just kept reflecting on discussions with our financial planner and how we have saved for some of the things we had been dreaming about; it seems much more rewarding to have saved and achieved your dreams than to have someone want you to provide a plan before they will give you the money they were going to give you anyway.

Anyway, in the book, many of those receiving money had more fun planning what they would do with the money. Some took an especially long time coming up with a plan. I could relate to that, if I'm tired and driving a long way ... sometimes I think about winning the lottery and how I would spend that money (as a way to stay awake).

300 pages ... and everything you need to know to make your own pre-queaths ... if you have tons of money you are looking to distribute. publication date is July 2025.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Greenleaf Book Group press (the publisher) and the author for the opportunity to read the advance read copy of The Happiness Experiment in exchange for an honest review.

I have mixed feelings about The Happiness Experiment by entrepreneur and philanthropist Carl Barney. After a near-death experience, he had the idea of gifting “Happiness Grants” (inheritances provided to the grantees while the grantor was still alive) to twenty friends.
I loved the idea, and thought it might have been better as a memoir. Instead, it’s kind of a conversation between him and…who? Never did figure out if he was “talking” with his friend, lawyer, financial guru? As one reviewer noted, “It comes across like you're watching a training video at work.”
I also didn’t like that he dictated what he wanted for the recipients, rather than let them choose what would make them happy. They couldn’t use it to send children to college or pay off a mortgage…whether that was what they thought would make them happy or not. Seems kind of arrogant, IMHO.
I would guess many readers will appreciate this way more than I did, and as I said, I love the idea, both of gifting money to others and of examining the topic of happiness in general. So three stars for effort and the idea. Thanks to Greenleaf Book Group and NetGalley for providing a copy in exchange for my honest review.

I just finished “The Happiness Experiment” by Carl B Barney. I thought it was an interesting take on wealth and how it affects happiness. Basically, many rich people can be very unhappy because of the mental load of having so much stuff to take care of, but poorer people can be very happy, living a life of moderation with things they love. He has been instances of giving money away to people and observing their responses. Some of the stories are very heartwarming. This book was a good read, but I think more detail about some of the people would have really pulled me into their stories and been much more emotional.

this book was so interesting and thought provoking!!!!! i couldn't put it down!!! i would totally love to re read this book once every year.

I DNF about 40% of the way through. While I appreciate the general topic, I don't really like the writing style. Instead of just writing a straightforward non-fiction book or a memoir about his process, it's mostly presented as a conversation between the author and his friend? Financial advisor? Lawyer? I forget how this man fits into the narrative. This means that the dialogue always has a stiltedness to it because so much of the time is spent explaining concepts or references, and people just don't talk that way in real life. It comes across like you're watching a training video at work.

From what I read of the material, I appreciate that the author was interested in helping his beneficiaries with financial literacy, so they don't receive money and have it ruin their lives like you hear from lotto winners. I did not appreciate that he told them to spend it in ways that would make them happy, and then dictated rules about what kind of happiness HE wanted for them. No one was allowed to use the money to send their kids to college or pay off their mortgage. Well, what if those are the things that would make them happy? Not having college debt or the added interest rate of a mortgage payment hanging over their heads for the next 30 years? For lots of people, financial security IS happiness. It doesn't have to be fancy vacations or buying some stupid ass car. It might just be knowing that you're out of debt and that you have enough money in the bank to do something special when you want to. It seems selfish that this man is trying to tell them what kind of happiness they're allowed to pursue.

I appreciate NetGalley and the publisher for access to a digital ARC. My honest review is my own opinion.

Please note that this ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I hated this book. While the author had some interesting anecdotes and (I think) came from a place where he genuinely wanted to help people that he cared about, it came across as incredibly self-serving and ignorant. He tries to write that he has “too much money” and that he wants to do something more significant with it. However, his plan is to give it to other people and watch them use money to buy happiness.

Maybe this is an overly simplistic view of the book and an unfair assessment of the author, but I felt very frustrated reading this book because large gifts of money and requests and happiness planning are simply not realistic.

I went into this book with some skepticism, and unfortunately, it only deepened as I read. From the introduction, it was clear that I was probably not the target audience — the tone and premise felt distinctly disconnected from the financial realities most people live with.

By page 21, I found myself thoroughly disengaged. The core message — that money doesn’t create happiness, even while the author gives money away as part of his "experiment" — felt deeply contradictory. It's hard to take seriously a claim that money isn't the source of happiness when the catalyst for happiness in the book is the promise of receiving money. Of course people begin to think more positively when they know financial relief is coming — that’s not a profound insight, it’s basic human nature.

The premise struck me as not only out of touch, but also unintentionally condescending. The narrative seems to present privilege as a lens for universal truth, which left a bad taste in my mouth.

Ultimately, this book did not resonate with me. Readers looking for thoughtful, inclusive, and grounded discussions on happiness may want to look elsewhere.

This was a thought provoking book - a wealthy man decides to give large amounts of his money to people who have meant a lot to him. These gifts are like "bequests," but he gives them away while he still lives. He equips the donees with coaching and financial advisors. More importantly, he asks them to reflect on what truly will make their lives happier.

This book gave me a lot to think about. What do I do with my money? What makes me happy? And how do I structure my affairs so that my heirs and loved ones will also find happiness?

Highly recommended, especially for those who need to think about such things!

Mr. Barney decided to give some of his friends and associates "pre-quests" or Happiness Grants. This was money that he would have left to these people in his will, but he decided to give them the money while he was still living.

The main requirement for receiving this money was to create a happiness plan. This was a detailed plan on how the money would be spent in the next 5 years. The money was to be used to create happiness for the receivers, not to be given away.

I enjoyed this book and was very impressed with the process that the author used to determine who would receive the grants and the planning that was required before the money was awarded.

It is true that a large sum of unexpected cash can definitely change your life for the better, but careful planning is a must. I have read horror stories about how lottery winners have received huge sums of money and it ruined their relationships and their life. Mr. Barney required the recipients of his grants to work with a life coach and financial planner to make sure the money would be used in ways that were aligned with the recipient's values and long term goals.

The author enjoyed watching the recipients of his generosity achieve happiness through travel, home improvements, entertainment and shared experiences with friends and family.

This experiment had a happy ending and the book provides detailed information about how anyone can achieve similar results.

Wealthy businessman Carl Barney escaped a near-death experience when the commercial plane he was one almost crashed. This made him re-think many values in his life, especially friends and people who have helped him out along the way. He wanted to do more than put them in his will; he wanted to issue them "pre-quests", major sums of money for them to spend now, To assist them, he referred them to a "Happiness Coach". That would help them determine how to spend the money to make them happy. He also provides steps on how to make pre-quests for others.

He gave in-depths stories of each of these recipients, which I felt dragged on. This is probably because most readers won't be able to relate to this, and the book won't give tips on how to find happiness in their own lives. Though he pre-quested mostly to couples, he doesn't address when the two people are not in sync on how to spend the money.

The workbook and summaries near the end of the book are good. However, I think it would have served him better to incorporate the stories and thoughts in the first part of the book here, but in a greatly abbreviated manner.

Because of the lack of relatability to readers and the excessive detail, I do not recommend this book.

Carl B. Barney writes a book that the world needs right now. "The Happiness Experiment " begins with a dynamic life-threatening experience. Thankfully, the author lived to explore what makes true and lasting happiness possible. Yes, he gives away massive amounts of money to people who are or have been important to his life and success. Money doesn't buy happiness, though. Barney explores the processes by which happiness occurs. Identifying beliefs, identifying virtues and using them to plan are essential. I was pleasantly surprised by how much specific and reputable research into happiness was included. Reading this book is like taking a course in how to achieve happiness. It does not just happen. Action is necessary. The author includes many stories, quotes, and even a workbook at the end of the book. I'm glad I read it. Even self-sacrificing Christians will acknowledge that when people are happier, they make those around them happier. Does money make a difference? Yes. But the author explains the values that underlie all areas of happiness which are more important. This was definitely an easy, enjoyable, and beneficial book to read. As a reader, it made me happy.

An account of when the author was a passenger on a Delta Airlines flight in which an engine exploded shortly after takeoff from Reno,Nevada, Barney's thoughts turned toward his loved ones, and his gratitude that they were in his will.”he says, listening as his last will and testament was read to them by an attorney. Thinking about this grim scene, he realized that he “didn’t like this picture one bit. There had to be a better way”; he wanted to see the most important people in his life “experience the pleasure and happiness” of his bequests while he was still alive. He then shares how he created what he ultimately coins the “Happiness Experiment,” in which he offered money—not bequests, but what he calls “pre-quests”—to his loved ones with explicit directions that they work with a Happiness Coach and create a Happiness Plan. This , would ensure that they spend their funds in ways that bring them true joy. With each pre-quest, he revised his ideas about joy, ultimately learning that “the way to achieve real, lasting happiness is through values and virtues. The book clearly provides readers with concepts about happiness, taking off from the notion that “few people take enough time to think about what would make them happier, and create a plan to pursue it.” The “Lives Transformed” portion, which shows the impact that his experiment had on his loved ones’ lives, is compelling. I enjoyed reading this book and thought it is an incredibly good self-help book.

This is a book about a man who decides to give people money with the understanding they will use a happiness coach (does he pay for these, too?) and make a happiness plan. He chooses people he already has written into his will.

There are a number of people who receive these happiness grants and each story goes the same way.

Author: I want to give you the money I would have given you in my will - why wait?
Receiver: Oh, no, I couldn't take your money....
A: Even if it's this much? (shows figure to receiver, but not to the reader)
R: (audible gasp) That's a lot of money.
A: And it's a grant, just do the following things and it's yours!
R: Sounds great - can't wait for happiness to hit

Spoiler: They're all happier.

To say this book wasn't for me is an understatement. Having never thought of Ayn Rand as "happy," I'm unsure why a quote of hers heads a chapter, but it let me know a little more about the author. To sum up the book, money won't make you happy. But wait, the author gives money to people as a way to make them happy, or at least a start on the road to happiness. So, does money make you happy or not?

I didn't understand the author's need to define morality at all in this book, but he chooses to define it this way, "being moral means choosing and pursuing one's own life-serving values while respecting the rights of others to do the same." This is juxtaposed with people being self-sacrificing for others. Really, why? He has other words he defines a little differently than the average writer, so I had to keep reminding myself that that's the way he uses language.

The author has executive coaches, happiness coaches, financial advisors, and who knows what else because, as he says early on, his problem was having too much money. He decides that rather than bequeathing money to people in his will, he will "prequeath" money so he can see them enjoy it. Sounds a little narcissistic. The money has strings - people must get a happiness coach and have a happiness plan. The author also checks back in with people after a few months (and then again, after another few months) to find out how their happiness is going.

There have been numerous studies on happiness, none of which are cited in this book, so when the author says that it's the anticipation, the planning that brings happiness, it's not ground-breaking news. But for those who my have been unaware, some mention of studies might have been nice. There are even studies around how much money one needs before they consider themselves happy and that after that, more money doesn't bring more happiness.

My thanks to NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An interesting take on how we can choose happiness and shape our own fulfillment. Barney’s personal stories and reflections offer thoughtful moments. Barney offers his interesting idea of Happiness Grants and shares what he and others uncovered about happiness, fulfillment, and living well.

The Happiness Experiment is truly life-changing! Carl Barney's story is inspiring, and the concept of giving Happiness Grants while still alive is powerful and heartwarming. The book offers a practical, step-by-step guide to discovering your values, finding your purpose, and creating true joy. It's more than just a self-help book—it's a blueprint for a more meaningful life. I’m already applying the lessons and feeling more fulfilled. A must-read for anyone ready to take control of their happiness!

I don’t often read non-fiction unless the subject matter stirs my interest. This book was worth taking a brief break from novels . . . to contemplate and break down the pursuit of happiness into a deliberate and actionable process was edifying. We have all heard that money can’t buy happiness and at the core this is true, but we must admit that it sure can provide options that weren’t there before. What would enrich your life? Is there something you could purchase to expedite that process? And for those of us lucky enough to have a plan in place for our assets after we have passed . . . would it bring you joy to see how the people who are precious to you were to utilize those funds during your lifetime instead? Explore the process of this experiment and learn about what really creates happiness and how to achieve more of it in your own life.

I'd like to thank NetGalley for an advanced copy of The Happiness Experiment for my unbiased evaluation.  4 stars