Hugh Hewitt is a lawyer, author and host of the nationally syndicated radio show, The Hugh Hewitt Show, and the national icon now has his latest book out that will surely grab the attention of many fans and critics alike.
Hewitt has shared his thoughts on government, politics, and American culture and entertainment on his radio show, which is broadcast from California from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. PT on weekdays, and in his eleven published books. His latest book, The Happiest Life: Seven Gifts, Seven Givers, and the Secret to Genuine Success, is decidedly different from his previous works.
Previous books were published under such titles as Painting the Map Red: The Fight to Create a Permanent Republican Majority, Searching for God in America, and If It’s Not Close, They Can’t Cheat: Crushing the Democrats in Every Election and Why Your Life Depends on It. Books such as these have a strong political bias and so may not be for everyone.
The Happiest Life, however, puts politics on the back burner and should certainly appeal to a wide variety of readers of all backgrounds.
Hewitt starts with a very simple premise: If you’re not happy, you can be. Each one of us has gifts to offer the world — and not just iPads, designer clothes or cell phones with countless apps. Our seven gifts are encouragement, energy, enthusiasm, patience, good humor, graciousness and gratitude. With an attitude of generosity about giving those gifts away, we enrich the lives of the receivers of those gifts and thus promote happiness in our own lives.
Each chapter is full of humorous and poignant anecdotes from Hewitt’s experience as well as from other books about how to give each gift to others. At the end of each chapter, he challenges readers to look for ways to use those gifts in your daily life. For example, could you be a little more enthusiastic at work? Should you be more patient with your mother-in-law? By giving your gifts away — even when it seems nearly impossible to do so — you can’t help but make yourself happy in the process.
In addition to the seven gifts, Hewitt also lists seven givers that are in the most ideal place to give these gifts. Anyone can be a giver — in fact, Hewitt states, “Everyone is eligible to be a giver of these gifts. Everyone. You don’t need wealth. You don’t have to be twenty-one. You don’t even have to be literate.”
However, certain relationships provide ample opportunity for giving. Hewitt lists the seven givers as parents, spouses, teachers, family members, friends, co-workers and churches. Certainly, anyone falls into at least one of those “giver” categories.
Finally, Hewitt discusses the greatest giver: God. By cultivating and growing our relationship with God, we will be motivated to love and serve others. When we give our seven gifts to others, God bestows them upon us as well. A good relationship with God gives us peace and happiness, more than we can ever do for ourselves.
Hewitt’s writing style is simple and easy to read, and includes numerous witticisms along the way. Even people who generally don’t enjoy reading should find this book accessible.
The Happiest Life has earned an average of 4 1/2 stars on Amazon.com and four stars on Goodreads and was listed on the blog “Best Books for Men.” Readers have described it as “relaxed and enjoyable,” “insightful” and “an absolute treasure.” If you’re still searching for the key to happiness, check this book out. You’ll be glad you did.