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A review by jsisco
Bright-Sided: How Positive Thinking Is Undermining America by Barbara Ehrenreich
4.0
The problem with this book is that Ehrenreich goes a bit off the rails in the middle. The first chapter on cancer and the last chapter on the economy are both incredibly articulate and powerful, but the middle of the book drags with a lack of cohesion and a seriously weak argument for WHY positive thinking is the worst thing ever.
Overall, though, the introduction, first chapter, and last chapter are strong enough that I would recommend this to most people I know. America is full of stupid people, and a lot of those stupid people genuinely think that positive thinking trumps everything. Realism will always be more important and more successful than blind optimism, and I like to think we can thank Ehrenreich for trumpeting that fact.
Overall, though, the introduction, first chapter, and last chapter are strong enough that I would recommend this to most people I know. America is full of stupid people, and a lot of those stupid people genuinely think that positive thinking trumps everything. Realism will always be more important and more successful than blind optimism, and I like to think we can thank Ehrenreich for trumpeting that fact.