A review by sharamine
Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-Being by Martin Seligman

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.