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sharamine's review
4.0
This book was a heavy look into positive psychology more as a field than how to apply it to your life, which is ironic considering that Seligman noted in the book that he doesn't have control over his book titles and that tends to confuse readers. It reads much more like a theoretical evidence-based textbook than a handbook. You won't find prescriptive "do XYZ and you'll be happier" but the concepts are very much applicable.
I enjoyed Seligman's stories about psychology, his admittance of how his previous theory wasn't thorough enough, how positive psychology can be applied as a chronic treatment and societal trends, etc. Seligman has a non-dry voice, although he spent some time defending himself against critics I wasn't even aware that he had. It's a fun book; don't go in expecting a self-help book.
I enjoyed Seligman's stories about psychology, his admittance of how his previous theory wasn't thorough enough, how positive psychology can be applied as a chronic treatment and societal trends, etc. Seligman has a non-dry voice, although he spent some time defending himself against critics I wasn't even aware that he had. It's a fun book; don't go in expecting a self-help book.
irishlibrarian's review
2.0
Think positively and take care of yourself and you'll be happy... If you didn't already know this, there's a lot of science to back it up! (In other words, skip the book.)
rscuderi's review
3.0
Not what I expected. Lots if research, not as much in the way of application. Still- solid information. Especially useful to coaches I think.
rbogue's review against another edition
5.0
There are plenty of reasons to study Martin Seligman’s work. The foremost authority on positive psychology, former president of the American Psychological Association (APA), and longtime researcher provides plenty of reasons to pay attention. However, the most compelling reason for me was one of kindred spirit. In the close of the book, he admits to starting the book not to write a book. He was trying to refine his thinking, and the writing process did that. He used the writing process to crystalize what he was thinking. That’s a process that I use in writing my book reviews. So, though I didn’t discover it until the end, he wasn’t trying to deliver a book to drive a cash machine, he was trying to develop and share his thoughts – I respect that.
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Click here to read the full review
_bookmoth's review
4.0
The first chapters are really insightful, but it gets less interesting the more you get to the end. Learned helplessness, however, got me back at the end. Overall a good read with some ups and downs.
debsblack's review against another edition
3.0
Not as good as authentic happiness
This book had a lot of really interesting points but was not as easy or as interesting to read as authentic happiness by the same author. The author also came across as very egotistical in this book, and the book seemed more about him than the subject matter.
This book had a lot of really interesting points but was not as easy or as interesting to read as authentic happiness by the same author. The author also came across as very egotistical in this book, and the book seemed more about him than the subject matter.
jackgoss's review
2.0
Skimmed and skipped several chapters in the last half. Only chapters 1-3 and were to my purpose.