Is wealth the same as happiness? How is the quality of life to be evaluated, measured, and most importantly, achieved? The authors provide provocative and engaging answers to these questions and many more, in this new, multidisciplinary and practical approach to an important area of social research. Taking the individual as the point of departure, the authors consider both objective circumstances and their subjective impact on people's lives. Prominent authors from an array of different academic disciplines discuss issues including the psychology of subjective well-being, destitution and basic needs, the environment, women and the family, health matters, the impact of advertising and consumerism, employment and work related issues, and the role of the state.