About the Book
The noted research psychiatrist explores now life's disappointments and difficulties provide us with the lessons we need to become better, bigger, happier, and more resilient human beings. Adversity is an irreducible fact of life. Although we can and should learn from all experiences, both positive and negative, bestselling author Dr. Norman E. Rosenthal, believes that adversity is by far the best teacher most of us will ever encounter. Whether the adversity one experiences results from just plain bad luck, poor decision-making, a desire to test one's mettle, Rosenthal maintains that our most important lessons - from the value of family to the importance of occasionally cutting corners - can best be learned from life's challenges. Running counter to society's current prevailing message that things should always run smoothly - or, at least, appear to - and that failure or mistakes of any sort are to be avoided at all costs, The Gift of Adversity shows that such setbacks are inevitable. Indeed, engaging with our own failures and defeats is one of the only ways we are able to live authentic and meaningful lives. The book illuminates how each different type of setback carries its own challenges and has the potential to yield its own form of wisdom. Using stories from his own life - including his childhood in apartheid-era South Africa, his years after suffering a violent attack from a stranger, and his career as a psychiatrist - as well as case studies and discussions with well-known figures like Viktor Frankl and David Lynch, Rosenthal shows that true innovation, emotional resilience, wisdom, and dignity can only come from confronting and understanding the adversity we have experienced. Even when life is hardest, there are meanings to be found, riches to be harvested, and gifts that can last a lifetime. Rosenthal illustrates his message through a series of compact, memorable chapters, each one drawn from episodes in the lives of his patients, colleagues, or himself, and concluded with a take-away maxim on the lesson learned. Early praise for The Gift of Adversity 'Dr. Rosenthal catalyzes conversations around adversity with tales of wisdom and survival that we can all treasure.' Mehmet C. Oz, M.D. 'Dr. Norm is a cosmonaut of consciousness, launching into the murky abyss and returning with meteoric treasures for us all. His writing on the value of adversity may come to be regarded by alien archaeologists as a Rosetta stone in understanding how we advance as individuals and as a culture.' Russell Brand, actor 'This charming book joins deep insights from psychoanalysis to the humane wisdom of a life fully lived. Rosenthal captures both the complexity of our emotions and the pragmatics needed to harness them, and he does so with humor and grace.' Andrew Solomon, author of Far from the Tree 'Dr. Rosenthal presents an intriguing and inspiring work on th endless 'blessings in disguise' that shape our lives and our world. He shares frank personal experiences along with stories of others, including historical events on a global scale. He offers suggestions on how to navigate through rough patches in life and celebrates the resilience of the human spirit.' Laura Dern, actress 'In this timely and beautifully written work, renowned psychiatrist and bestselling author Norman Rosenthal tells intriguing stories that converge on an important theme - that many of life's greatest lessons and joys aren't the products of perfection, but the gifts of adversity. Each short chapter is its own delicious dish in a wonderful feast of a book.' Marci Shimoff, #1 New York Times-bestselling author, Happy for No Reason, Love for No Reason, and Chicken Soup for the Woman's Soul 'Dr. Norman Rosenthal, the acclaimed psychiatric resear
About the Author :
The "New York Times"-bestselling author of "Transcendence," Norman E. Rosenthal, M.D., attended the University of the Witwatersrand in his native South Africa. He moved to the United States and was resident and chief resident at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital and the New York Psychiatric Institute. He has conducted research at the National Institute of Mental Health for over twenty years. It was there that he first described and diagnosed Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Dr. Rosenthal is a clinical professor of psychiatry at Georgetown Medical School and has maintained a private practice in the Washington, DC metropolitan area for the past thirty years. Rosenthal is the author or co-author of over 200 professional articles and several popular books, including "Winter Blues," the classic work on SAD. He currently serves as medical director and CEO of Capital Clinical Research Associates in Rockville, Maryland, where he directs clinical trials in both pharmaceuticals and complementary and alternative medicine.
Review :
Winner of the 2014 Nautilus Award represents Better Books for a Better World the Silver Award in the category of Heroic Journeys.
"Dr. Rosenthal catalyzes conversations around adversity with tales of wisdom and survival that we can all treasure.
Mehmet C. Oz, M.D.
Insightful . . . could help many of us cope with life s inevitable obstacles . . . The book s titular message that adversity can be a gift is especially relevant now.
Jane Brody, "The New York Times"
"Will help you see the value in your struggles...Arguing that personal growth can t happen without setbacks, Norman Rosenthal challenges readers to re-interpret adversity as a key element of empathy, maturity, and success."
New York Daily News
Rosenthal captures both the complexity of our emotions and the pragmatics needed to harness them.
Andrew Solomon
I really loved Dr Rosenthal s book adversity can be a great teacher
David Lynch
Norman Rosenthal is a psychiatrist with a special talent for turning research evidence into practical advice.
Peter D. Kramer, M.D, Bestselling author of "Listening to Prozac"
Dr. Norm is cosmonaut of consciousness, launching into the the murky abyss and returning with meteoric treasures for us all. His writing on the value of adversity may come to be regarded by Alien archeologists as a Rosetta Stone in understanding how we advance as individuals and as a culture.
Russell Brand
In addition to being one of our nation s more respected psychiatrists, Dr. Norman Rosenthal has a wonderful ability to translate complex scientific information into language that is clear, concise, and practical.
Jerilyn Ross, Founder of the Anxiety Disorders Association of America and author of "Triumph Over Fear"
In this timely and beautifully written work, renowned psychiatrist and best-selling author, Norman Rosenthal, tells intriguing stories that converge on an important theme -- that many of life's greatest lessons and joys are not the products of perfection, but the gifts of adversity.
Marci Shimoff, "New York Times" bestselling author of "Happy for No Reason"
If you've ever wondered what a world-class psychiatrist really thinks when pondering his life journey, then read The Gift of Adversity.
Pam Peeke M.D., WebMD Chief Lifestyle Expert
"Rosenthal's story is an interesting one: from growing up Jewish in apartheid-era Johannesburg to struggling through med school, surviving a brutal stabbing, serving as a medical officer in the South African Army, getting caught up in a Ponzi scheme, and navigating the politics of Columbia University and the National Institute of Mental Health, his exploits are consistently engaging."
Publishers Weekly
"Rosenthal is best known for having defined the syndrome of seasonal affective disorder, a winter depression caused by diminished daylight, and pioneering the use of artificial bright light to ameliorate its effect. Rosenthal makes a convincing connection between lessons learned from his personal experiences and contemplation of the lives of heroic figures." Kirkus Reviews"
Winner of the 2014 Nautilus Award represents "Better Books for a Better World"--the Silver Award in the category of Heroic Journeys.
"Dr. Rosenthal catalyzes conversations around adversity with tales of wisdom and survival that we can all treasure."
-Mehmet C. Oz, M.D.
"Insightful . . . could help many of us cope with life's inevitable obstacles . . . The book's titular message--that adversity can be a gift--is especially relevant now."
--Jane Brody, "The New York Times"
"Will help you see the value in your struggles...Arguing that personal growth can't happen without setbacks, Norman Rosenthal challenges readers to re-interpret adversity as a key element of empathy, maturity, and success."
--New York Daily News
"Rosenthal captures both the complexity of our emotions and the pragmatics needed to harness them."
--Andrew Solomon
"I really loved Dr Rosenthal's book... adversity can be a great teacher"
--David Lynch
"Norman Rosenthal is a psychiatrist with a special talent for turning research evidence into practical advice."
--Peter D. Kramer, M.D, Bestselling author of "Listening to Prozac"
"Dr. Norm is cosmonaut of consciousness, launching into the the murky abyss and returning with meteoric treasures for us all. His writing on the value of adversity may come to be regarded by Alien archeologists as a Rosetta Stone in understanding how we advance as individuals and as a culture."
--Russell Brand
"In addition to being one of our nation's more respected psychiatrists, Dr. Norman Rosenthal has a wonderful ability to translate complex scientific information into language that is clear, concise, and practical."
--Jerilyn Ross, Founder of the Anxiety Disorders Association of America and author of "Triumph Over Fear"
"In this timely and beautifully written work, renowned psychiatrist and best-selling author, Norman Rosenthal, tells intriguing stories that converge on an important theme -- that many of life's greatest lessons and joys are not the products of perfection, but the gifts of adversity."
--Marci Shimoff, "New York Times" bestselling author of "Happy for No Reason"
"If you've ever wondered what a world-class psychiatrist really thinks when pondering his life journey, then read The Gift of Adversity."
--Pam Peeke M.D., WebMD Chief Lifestyle Expert
"Rosenthal's story is an interesting one: from growing up Jewish in apartheid-era Johannesburg to struggling through med school, surviving a brutal stabbing, serving as a medical officer in the South African Army, getting caught up in a Ponzi scheme, and navigating the politics of Columbia University and the National Institute of Mental Health, his exploits are consistently engaging."
--Publishers Weekly
"Rosenthal is best known for having defined "the syndrome of seasonal affective disorder," a winter depression caused by diminished daylight, and pioneering the use of artificial bright light to ameliorate its effect. Rosenthal makes a convincing connection between lessons learned from his personal experiences and contemplation of the lives of heroic figures."--Kirkus Reviews
"Dr. Rosenthal catalyzes conversations around adversity with tales of wisdom and survival that we can all treasure."
-Mehmet C. Oz, M.D.
"Insightful . . . could help many of us cope with life's inevitable obstacles . . . The book's titular message--that adversity can be a gift--is especially relevant now."
--Jane Brody, "The New York Times"
"Will help you see the value in your struggles...Arguing that personal growth can't happen without setbacks, Norman Rosenthal challenges readers to re-interpret adversity as a key element of empathy, maturity, and success."
--New York Daily News
"Rosenthal captures both the complexity of our emotions and the pragmatics needed to harness them."
--Andrew Solomon
"I really loved Dr Rosenthal's book... adversity can be a great teacher"
--David Lynch
"Norman Rosenthal is a psychiatrist with a special talent for turning research evidence into practical advice."
--Peter D. Kramer, M.D, Bestselling author of "Listening to Prozac"
"Dr. Norm is cosmonaut of consciousness, launching into the the murky abyss and returning with meteoric treasures for us all. His writing on the value of adversity may come to be regarded by Alien archeologists as a Rosetta Stone in understanding how we advance as individuals and as a culture."
--Russell Brand
"In addition to being one of our nation's more respected psychiatrists, Dr. Norman Rosenthal has a wonderful ability to translate complex scientific information into language that is clear, concise, and practical."
--Jerilyn Ross, Founder of the Anxiety Disorders Association of America and author of "Triumph Over Fear"
"In this timely and beautifully written work, renowned psychiatrist and best-selling author, Norman Rosenthal, tells intriguing stories that converge on an important theme -- that many of life's greatest lessons and joys are not the products of perfection, but the gifts of adversity."
--Marci Shimoff,
"Dr. Rosenthal is one of those rare professionals who is able to mix authority and accuracy with riveting stories that read like a novel." - Mehmet C. Oz, M.D.
"Norman Rosenthal is a psychiatrist with a special talent for turning research evidence into practical advice." --Peter D. Kramer, M.D, Bestselling author of "Listening to Prozac"
"In addition to being one of our nation's more respected psychiatrists, Dr. Norman Rosenthal has a wonderful ability to translate complex scientific information into language that is clear, concise, and practical." --Jerilyn Ross, Founder of the Anxiety Disorders Association of America and author of "Triumph Over Fear"
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"Norman Rosenthal is a psychiatrist with a special talent for turning research evidence into practical advice." --Peter D. Kramer, M.D, Bestselling author of "Listening to Prozac"
"In addition to being one of our nation's more respected psychiatrists, Dr. Norman Rosenthal has a wonderful ability to translate complex scientific information into language that is clear, concise, and practical." --Jerilyn Ross, Founder of the Anxiety Disorders Association of America and author of "Triumph Over Fear"
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