5.0 out of 5 based on 5 reviews. – Customer review on 06/04/2010

Sound science in an area that is swamped with not too good advice on how to cope when things are difficult.

I have already given away two books to friends in need.

Warmly recommended to me by a psychologist friend, and she was spot on as usual.

There are a lot of references to studies proving the point, which can seem intimidating, if you are not used to that stuff, but it is only to show what has been proven to work and what is a waste of time. If it isn't your thing, jump it and go to the conclusions.

Good reading for anyone who wants to add maturity and wisdom to their years - and that is probably most of us!

5.0 out of 5 based on 5 reviews. – Customer review on 08/02/2010

What a blessing! Finally I get to read something by a psychologist who makes perfect sense. It has long been a contention of mine that most of medicine (mind and body) focusses so much attention on the 'sick' side of the coin. Martin Seligman's Positive Psychology is a breath of fresh air. And his resaerch-based findings are so obvious and so clear, it makes one wonder how it tok so long for Psychology to come of age. If you are a student of Psychology you really do need to read this book. If you are lay person who believes there is more to life than feeling "just OK" you need to read this book. If you are a parent, you need to read this book and his other offerings - The Optimistic Child & Authentic Happiness.

5.0 out of 5 based on 5 reviews. – Customer review on 18/12/2009

An interesting read which made understanding why we sometimes think the way we do a whole lot clearer! Useful strategies to really change thinking in some areas of life for the better. Great for those who really want to understand the theory of psychology behind some therapy techniques.

4.0 out of 5 based on 5 reviews. – Customer review on 29/11/2009

I found this book really made me aware of how negatively I was viewing situations and how to have a more optimistic view. I think the author spends a bit too much time going through his case studies but I guess that is to show the reader about how the technique can work in all sorts of situations/jobs etc. I think there is also a slight cultural bias when it comes to scoring yourself for some of the questionnaires - for example some questions where I rated as very negative, the most positive answer to me was what I would consider the most arrogant, and therefore I shyed away from that answer. I discussed this with a group of friends and they to said they would answer as I had, we came to the conclusion that it's just part of kiwi culture to avoid seeming over confident rather than actual pessimism. All of these things taken into account I would (and have) recommend the book to friends as I found it a bit of any eye opener and I do think my view has changed after reading it.

5.0 out of 5 based on 5 reviews. – Customer review on 05/01/2009

I'm not one to sit and read but upon picking up this book i found it very difficult to put down.

I hate reading so much infact that when i told family about my new book they asked if i was ok and what had encouraged my new buy.

i didnt have an answer then but to look at life with an optimistic view now, the book is deffinetly worth its weight in gold