Review: "The Great Eight: How to Be Happy (even when you have every reason to be miserable)"

I have just finished reading Scott Hamilton’s The Great Eight: How to Be Happy (even when you have every reason to be miserable). Go to http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=0785228942 to see the product detail at the Thomas Nelson site.

Scott is a naturally happy guy, and his suffering as an athlete and as a cancer patient (both testicular and brain) have only served to increase his happiness. Add to that, being in a supportive marriage, having two sons, when it was thought that he could not have any, and converting to Christianity, Scott is a very happy man.

His book is called The Great Eight because he reveals eight secrets to happy living. Why eight and not ten or twelve as other similar books? Because, in skating, the figure eight is the most difficult and most essential move.

The eight secrets, as he names them, are “Fall, Get Up, and Land Your First Jumps,” “Trust Your Almighty Coach,” “Make Your Losses Your Wins,” “Keep the Ice Clear,” “Think Positive, Laugh, and Smile Like Kristi Yamaguchi,” “Win By Going Last,” “Learn a New Routine,” and “Stand in the Spotlight.” His insights about not giving up, trusting God, putting a positive spin on whatever happens, etc., are all valuable life lessons – lessons that have served Scott well through all he has lived and endured.

I was put off at his calling God, “Coach,” and I understand that he is trying to keep with skating metaphors, but it seemed a bit glib to me. I was also disturbed with the overall theme, especially front and center in the last chapter, that God wants everyone to be happy. That is not so, and to teach that is, at best, counterproductive.

I wonder if Scott would tell someone who just can’t get happy, despite his eight steps, that it is that person’s fault. More generally, I don’t see how he can explain, from what he has written why there is so much unhappiness. In other words, he needs to address sin, even in such a popular book as this.

Enjoyable as it is, I would not recommend this book. Rather, I would direct persons with such concerns to Rev. Dr. John Piper’s books.

(This review is posted on my blog and Amazon.com)