100,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock 🇳🇿

Overnight NZ-wide Delivery 🚀 Thank you for supporting our 100% NZ-owned store ❤️

Happy Lies

How a Movement You (Probably) Never Heard Of Shaped Our Self-Obsessed World
By Melissa Dougherty
0.0 (0 reviews)
4.54 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating. ( 1,178 ratings, 232 reviews)
Brief Description
In this groundbreaking book, popular apologist Melissa Dougherty helps us understand how our society got to be so toxically subjective, why endless positivity is inherently destructive, and how we can live with faithful truth and genuine love in these self-obsessed times. Melissa Dougherty skillfully diagnoses the... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$3499
AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 4-6 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

Influential online apologist Melissa Dougherty brings sharp thinking, a quick wit, and a passion for truth to Happy Lies as she explores New Thought, the 1800s-era toxic positivity philosophy still making us miserable, anxious, and spiritually confused today.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

In this groundbreaking book, popular apologist Melissa Dougherty helps us understand how our society got to be so toxically subjective, why endless positivity is inherently destructive, and how we can live with faithful truth and genuine love in these self-obsessed times.

Melissa Dougherty skillfully diagnoses the issue and provides the cure: the authentic and life-giving truth of the Christian worldview. - Wesley Huff

Have you ever wondered how we ended up in a world where personal feelings could become the authority for reality? Or why so many of us are on a relentless pursuit for happiness, yet somehow feel more exhausted and sadder than ever? You're not alone.

Melissa deftly traces the roots of today's social chaos back to a little-known (but very influential) 1800s philosophy known as New Thought. A former follower of its teachings, Melissa provides clarity and compassion mixed with a dash of loving snark as she exposes New Thought's deceptions and its many concerning tendrils within the church and our "self-help" culture.

You'll be shocked, grieved, and encouraged as you learn:

  • How you can experience true freedom, hope, and peace instead of the world's counterfeits
  • How an anti-God ideology so easily hijacked Christian-sounding ideas
  • Why thinking positively is entirely different from the unbiblical and burdensome "positive thought" movement
  • Why fake "authenticity" short-circuits real redemption
  • How understanding the New Thought mindset can help us share our faith more effectively

Uncover a dangerous ideology that nearly everyone has met, yet few of us can name, in order to better understand our culture and joyfully live faithful to the gospel that is so much better than our world's Happy Lies.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780310368861

Publisher: Zondervan

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 13 March 2025

Country: United States

Imprint: Zondervan

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 15.0mm

Width: 140.0mm

Height: 212.0mm

Weight: 235g

Pages: 272

Collections

Melissa Dougherty Non-Fiction Religion & Spirituality

About the Author

Melissa Dougherty is a Christian apologist best known for her YouTube channel with over 261,000 subscribers and counting. Her videos, which primarily cover New Age and New Thought, have been viewed over 18 million times. Melissa is highly regarded and connected in the apologetics community. She has had numerous influential guests on her YouTube channel and is a frequent guest on the YouTube videos and podcasts of popular thinkers as well. Melissa has a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from Southern Evangelical Seminary, where she’s also pursuing her master’s degree in religious studies. Melissa is married with two daughters and lives in New Mexico.

More from Religion & Spirituality

View all
  • New Release
    2027 Witch's Diary - Southern Hemisphere
    From the bestselling authors of Spellcasting, which has now sold over 250,000 copies worldwide, comes the essential witchy journal to plan your days, harness magick, and connect with higher powers. Features include: 8" x 6" (8" x 12" open) Beautiful glossy gold gatefold cover Compact size, perfect to carry in your bag and keep on you throughout the day 12-month...
    By Barbara Meiklejohn-Free and Flavia Kate Peters
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • New Release
    2027 Lunar and Seasonal Diary - Southern Hemisphere
    Renowned witch Stacey Demarco helps you get the most out of the moon phases and seasons. This planner includes lunar timings and explanations of the moon phases and their impact on us along with practical magical suggestions to work with the energies of each season.Features include: • 8"" x 6"" planner (8"" x 12"" open) • Spiral binding allows the pages to...
    By Stacey Demarco
    Paperback
    $2999
    Elsewhere:
    $3799
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • NKJV, Gift and Award Bible, Leather-Look, White, Red Letter, Comfort Print
    Commemorate a special accomplishment or event with a gift to be treasured for years to come. The popular and reliable New King James Version with the enhanced readability of Thomas Nelson’s custom NKJV font is now the perfect gift. The NKJV, Gift and Award Bible is a great way to recognise someone for a job well done. This special-occasion Bible...
    By Thomas Nelson
    Paperback
    $1800
    Elsewhere:
    $2000
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • KJV Holy Bible: Economy Paperback: Beautiful. Trustworthy. Timeless, Comfort Print: King James Version
    The full text of the KJV with extra helps is an excellent Bible for a new Christian or someone interested in learning more about God. The King James Version of the Bible is the bestselling and most-read English translation of all time. This low-cost Bible with extra helps is perfect for churches and ministries looking to distribute God’s Word through...
    Paperback
    $900
    Elsewhere:
    $1000
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Braiding Sweetgrass
    Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer is a graceful and illuminating study of the wisdom of the natural world, bringing together the knowledge of modern science with the teachings of Indigenous cultures. At its heart, the book explores the interconnectedness between humans and nature, offering profound insights on how this relationship can foster a deeper ecological consciousness. As a botanist...
    By Robin Wall Kimmerer
    Paperback
    $2200
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    (2)
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The King Is Coming
    Bestselling author John Bevere challenges Christians to take a fresh and honest look at one of the most often misunderstood and avoided truths of the Christian faith—the second coming of Jesus. Through personal testimony, biblical accuracy, and practical guidance, readers will be inspired to live a life of spiritual vigilance as they prepare for the glorious return of our King....
    By John Bevere
    Paperback
    $2999
    Elsewhere:
    $3500
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • NIV, Holy Bible, Economy Edition, Paperback, Comfort Print
    Hope for your everyday life. The New International Version of the Bible is today’s most popular modern-English translation. This low-cost Bible, featuring extra helps that are ideal for evangelism and an easy-to-read Comfort Print® typeface, is perfect for churches and ministries looking to distribute God’s Word in bulk through their outreach events. Features include: The full text of the accurate,...
    By Zondervan
    Paperback
    $1000
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Practice of Not Thinking
    Bestselling author and Zen priest Ryunosuke Koike teaches us how to reconnect with our five senses and move towards enlightenment. What would happen if we learnt to look instead of see, listen instead of hear, and feel instead of touch? With remarkable clarity, Ryunosuke Koike shares the ways we can incorporate Zen practice into our daily life, resulting in a...
    By Ryunosuke Koike
    Paperback
    $2100
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • NIV, Gift and Award Bible, Leather-Look, Pink, Red Letter, Comfort Print
    Bibles make great gifts! This leather-look NIV Gift and Award Bible is economically priced so you can share the life-changing Word of God with more people. Perfect for special events or acts of kindness, this gift Bible is arranged in two columns with the words of Jesus in red, along with a presentation page for gift-giving, maps, and other Bible...
    By Zondervan
    Paperback
    $2200
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The Screwtape Letters
    A milestone in the history of popular theology, The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis is an iconic classic on spiritual warfare and the power of the devil. This profound and striking narrative unfolds as a series of captivating letters penned by Screwtape, a senior devil in the Infernal Civil Service, to his eager but inexperienced nephew, Wormwood. Wormwood is...
    By C. S. Lewis
    Paperback
    $1900
    Elsewhere:
    $2200
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Mere Christianity
    Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis is a profound literary work that offers a compelling and articulate exploration of the Christian faith. This timeless classic emerged from a series of radio talks given by Lewis during the dark days of World War II, where he aimed to demystify the essence of Christianity and present a logical case for its core...
    By C. S. Lewis
    Paperback
    $1900
    Elsewhere:
    $2200
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The Orthodox Study Bible, Hardcover
    The Orthodox Study Bible, Hardcover is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in deepening their understanding of the Scriptures through the lens of ancient Christian traditions. This comprehensive study Bible represents a groundbreaking effort to present the Bible of the early church to the modern world, reflecting the rich heritage and profound spiritual wisdom of Orthodox Christianity, which is the...
    Hardback
    $5999
    Elsewhere:
    $7000
    In Stock
    Ships Monday

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.

The Latest at Book Hero

View all