Nicholas White 
Brief History of Happiness 

In this book, White reviews major western thinkers’ thought about happiness from ancient to modern times: Plato’s soul harmony theory, Aristotle’s description of taking wealth and prosperity as the goals of a virtuous life, Aquinas’ theory of essence, Bentham’s hedonistic calculus, etc. We can also see doubts on the concept of complete and enduring happiness in Nietzsche’s and Freud’s works. White reveals the relationship between happiness issues and core issues of moral philosophy and practical philosophy.