Rather than examining happiness as an internal state, Weiner wanted to understand how external factors like location, culture, and community influence collective well-being, offering a fresh perspective on the age-old pursuit of happiness.

Unlike traditional self-help books or academic studies, this work combines travel writing, cultural journalism, and humor to explore happiness through first-hand experiences in various countries, making complex social concepts accessible and entertaining.

The author discovers that happiness is highly contextual and culturally specific, suggesting that while there's no single path to happiness, certain societal elements like trust, community, and purpose consistently contribute to collective well-being across different cultures.