Apr
22
2026
12:00 PM - 03:00 PM
McKinney Theatre 
A blue paperback book titled “The Geography of Bliss” by Eric Weiner rests on a gray surface beside a black-and-cream patterned blanket. The cover reads: “The New York Times Bestseller,” “One Grump’s Search for the Happiest Places in the World,” “The Geography of Bliss,” “Eric Weiner,” “Charming, funny, and illuminating. – Washington Post Book World,” and “Moving, profound… a winning book. – National Geographic.” The cover features a hand holding a paper airplane made from a map.

About This Event

Eric Weiner campus visit

  • Author presentation with Q+A
  • Book signing at 2:00 p.m.

About the Book: The Geography of Bliss

The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World 

The Geography of Bliss is a blend of travel memoir, social science, philosophy, and humor in which former NPR foreign correspondent Eric Weiner embarks on a year-long quest to find the happiest places on Earth—and maybe learn something about happiness himself. He frames the project as a search not for what happiness is, but where it lives in the world.

About the Author
Eric Weiner is an award-winning journalist, bestselling author, and a self-described philosophical traveler. As is evident in his books, Eric is fascinated by the intersection of places and ideas. When he has questions, he travels. The product of his voyages are immersive accounts that are equal parts travelogue, cultural commentary, and personal reflection, offering insights into the diverse ways in which location and culture shape the human experience.

Eric’s books have been translated into over 20 languages. His first and perhaps most enduring book is The Geography of Bliss, which was given new life in 2023 with the premiere of the Rainn Wilson and the Geography of Bliss docuseries on Peacock, which Eric co-executive produced. Other titles include Man Seeks God: My Flirtations with the Divine, The Geography of Genius: Lessons from the World’s Most Creative Places, and The Socrates Express: In Search of Life Lessons from Dead Philosophers—each tackling one of life’s big questions from many points across the globe. His newest book is Ben & Me: In Search of a Founder’s Formula for a Long and Useful Life.