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_pickle_'s review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
this book helped me see things differently, and that is a real achievement.
chaoscat's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Have you ever tired of people telling you to just think positively? Well, Oliver Burkeman has news for you! In this mix of journalistic investigation and psychological field report Burkeman puts the positive thinking industry in the pillory and brands typical self-help books as useless. He proposes a new approach to your happiness: Think negatively! He rests this advice on extensive research ranging from the Stoics to Buddhism and established psychological schools. Even if this is not the antidote to all your problems, it's a good start and an entertaining read.
shandy8's review
1.0
What a load of crap. Avoid this book unless you need something to prop up a wobbly table leg.
Just another self-help book.
Starts off interesting with a lot of data and studies showing that positive thinking-based self-help doesn't work. But then after 3 more chapters, I felt I'd learned nothing. Very very bare bones.
For instance, he goes to interview Eckhart Tolle in chapter 3, the author of The Power of Now. Should be interesting right? But the whole chapter includes about 3 lines from the interview...
Can someone recommend an antidote to this book?
Just another self-help book.
Starts off interesting with a lot of data and studies showing that positive thinking-based self-help doesn't work. But then after 3 more chapters, I felt I'd learned nothing. Very very bare bones.
For instance, he goes to interview Eckhart Tolle in chapter 3, the author of The Power of Now. Should be interesting right? But the whole chapter includes about 3 lines from the interview...
Can someone recommend an antidote to this book?
happysquid's review against another edition
5.0
I was really positively surprised by this book. I happened to read this book almost by chance as i got i from a friend who found it in a used book library and then gave it to me without thinking much. I kind of expected this book to be a self help book that like many other claims to be "not like the others". But surprisingly this book is not there to tell you what to do. It's there to tell you about the findings of the author. It doesn't feel like a guidebook but more like a exploratory book that helps you learn more about and gain understanding about human happiness.
ptrmsschrs's review
5.0
THE Self Help Book for people who hate Self Help Books
If you are anything like me and hate the thousands of books that are being published every year and that tell you how to become a millionaire in a year, how to get to the top of the corporate ladder without breaking a sweat and how to become the most popular person in your town, then you should definitely read this book. It is a brilliant antidote to everything described before.
Oliver Burkeman draws from a number of sources (psychology, philosophy - the stoics feature prominently-, economics, Buddhism, ...), so these ideas you will read about are not his original ideas, but he does know how to apply to several aspects of your personal life that you will find very interesting.
As a matter of fact I can honestly say that reading this book (and having re-read some of the chapters several times), has helped me a lot in dealing with everyday frustrations and hassles.
It certainly deserves it five stars (and a bit more).
If you are anything like me and hate the thousands of books that are being published every year and that tell you how to become a millionaire in a year, how to get to the top of the corporate ladder without breaking a sweat and how to become the most popular person in your town, then you should definitely read this book. It is a brilliant antidote to everything described before.
Oliver Burkeman draws from a number of sources (psychology, philosophy - the stoics feature prominently-, economics, Buddhism, ...), so these ideas you will read about are not his original ideas, but he does know how to apply to several aspects of your personal life that you will find very interesting.
As a matter of fact I can honestly say that reading this book (and having re-read some of the chapters several times), has helped me a lot in dealing with everyday frustrations and hassles.
It certainly deserves it five stars (and a bit more).
laurab2125's review
3.0
Most of the information wasn't new to me, but there was some history that I wasn't aware of. I agree with the ideas presented and a few of the topics were quite thought-provoking. Overall, I felt like the text didn't flow all that well and had quite a few dead spots. I also would have liked more of a guide on how to implement in day-to-day life. Still, the book is worth reading.
readingnookreviews's review
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and learned a lot, however I struggled to get through some chapters just for lack of focus. This is one of those self-help books that I actually found really interesting as multiple methods and theories regarding happiness were explained. Most chapters were enlightening or at least provided fascinating information, while some seemed to repeat the same information and I found myself skipping a couple pages ahead. As a whole, I would recommend this book if you want to consider a new attitude towards life, including concepts of failure, uncertainty, and happiness.
boekiemonster's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.5