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kjf's review against another edition
3.0
I attended a conference recently where one of the panels was by a woman influenced by "positive psychology" - the talk itself was insightful and interesting, and since it was based on Seligman's research and findings I thought I'd delve deeper. I didn't learn anything more in these 200-odd pages than I did at the 30 minute panel, and the writing was somewhat dry. I expected more of a workbook than a memoir about the heyday of research into positive psychology. It was only 200 pages yet I still thought it needed a ruthless edit and fewer tangents.
lisagray68's review against another edition
4.0
I love Martin Seligman, who is basically the KING of Positive Psychology. If you think Positive Psychology is a bit of fluff, you have to read his dense and scientific books, because there is a lot of science that being grateful and counting your blessings can ward of depression and other bad stuff. This book is dense, like his others - basically think textbook. Still, it's fascinating, particularly if you are interested in what could help our young students and military people be more resilient. The best part is, his website, www.authentichappiness.org has a ton of great self quizzes where you can identify your top strengths, etc. Go check it out!
lydiaogden's review against another edition
5.0
This is a book that changed the way I think and work, as well as what I teach as a teacher of therapists. I read most chapters multiple times as I went along because the information is so rich and dense, and yet written in an accessible and entertaining fashion. There is no more important book to read about psychology and well-being right now. This is the one.
rickycatto's review against another edition
3.0
Sadly, this is not a book I'd recommend. I wish I could - I've read about Seligman's work SO much that there really wasn't much new. It was oddly organised and way more about the history of Seligman and his science than about the science itself. The rhythm just doesn't work and you get through it feeling like you wee tricked into reading it. Rather read Authentic Happiness.
erinstewart's review against another edition
1.0
If you cut out the bits where Seligman talks about how great he is, you might have a fascinating (albeit short) essay. As it stands, Flourish is intolerably dull and weakens the philosophical grounding of Positive Psychology as a field.
iambartacus's review against another edition
3.0
Parts of this book were really useful, and parts of this book were about the author settling scores with people who have annoyed him at some point in time. Could be about 50 pages shorter and be just right- I definitely started skimming towards the end.
raejeanr's review against another edition
4.0
A thought provoking book on the importance of well being and how to obtain it
bkam's review against another edition
3.0
Flourish is a strange book, in that it does not deliver on any of its promises, and yet somehow remains enjoyable. You would be forgiven for assuming, given the book's rather bold opening that "This book will help you flourish," that the book will in fact help you flourish—which it does, sort of. The early chapters, after promising then not delivering many practical exercises, then seem to imply that the book will instead summarise developments of positive psychology beyond its original scope of "authentic happiness"—which it does, sort of. The rest is part intriguing memoir, part summary of where psychology and philosophy went wrong in the twentieth century, and part discussion of the military and education. If this sounds like a strange mixture, it is. And yet the writing remains engaging, and the book does actually give some practical advice about how to incorporate gratitude, better listening skills, and activities which are orientated towards character strengths and accomplishment, into one's life. Because of what appears to be a lack of editorial guidance, going into it with expectations to learn anything specific is likely to lead to disappointment. But if you pick it up, as I did, with no expectations, you may find quite a few interesting facts and perspectives.