Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment

Over a decade ago, Martin Seligman charted a new approach to living with "flexible optimism." Now, in his most stimulating and persuasive book to date, the bestselling author of "Learned Optimism" introduces the revolutionary, scientifically based idea of "Positive Psychology." Positive Psychology focuses on strengths rather than weaknesses, asserting that happiness is not the result of good genes or luck. Seligman teaches readers that happiness can be cultivated by identifying and using many of the strengths and traits that they already possess -- including kindness, originality, humor, optimism, and generosity. By frequently calling upon their "signature strengths" in all the crucial realms of life, readers will not only develop natural buffers against misfortune and the experience of negative emotion, they will move their lives up to a new, more positive plane. Drawing on groundbreaking psychological research, Seligman shows how Positive Psychology is shifting the profession's paradigm away from its narrow-minded focus on pathology, victimology, and mental illness to positive emotion, virtue and strength, and positive institutions. Our signature strengths can be nurtured throughout our lives, with benefits to our health, relationships, and careers. Seligman provides the Signature Strengths Survey along with a variety of brief tests that can be used to measure how much positive emotion readers experience, in order to help determine what their highest strengths are. The life-changing lesson of Authentic Happiness is that by identifying the very best in ourselves, we can improve the world around us and achieve new and sustainable levels of authentic contentment, gratification, and meaning.

Review :
Cheryl Richardsonauthor of "Stand Up for Your Life""Authentic Happiness" is one of the most important books of our time. It offers a powerful message of hope for millions who long for a deeply satisfying life. Highly accessible and filled with practical advice, if you read it and use it, it will change your life. Daniel Golemanauthor of "Emotional Intelligence"At last, psychology gets serious about glee, fun and happiness. Martin Seligman has given us a gift -- a practical map for the perennial quest for a flourishing life. Diane Ackermanauthor of "A Natural History of the Senses"The Constitution may guarantee the right to pursue happiness, but it doesn't offer clear paths to follow through the wilderness. Seligman does. By turns smart, funny, irreverent, and insightful, he is the perfect guide, someone who can make such a difference in life, and lives. A world hungry for happiness will love his new book. Dr. Stephen R. Coveyauthor of "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People"An amazing book! Absolutely full of practical wisdom and its authentic sources. What depth of understanding! Seligman affirms our power of choice with a perspective on old and new psychology I found compelling and fascinating. This book will help restore the Character Ethic. Joan Oliver Goldsmithauthor of "How Can We Keep from Singing: Music and the Passionate Life"To read this book is to walk with your head floating in clouds of possibility while your feet tread firmly on the ground of scientific research. Dr. Seligman gives us the tools to tap into our greatest strengths, so that we can live more joyously while making a greater contribution to loved ones, work and community. Jonathan KellermanMartin Seligman is one of the most original thinkers the social sciences have produced in our century. "Authentic Happiness" is a fascinating, compelling look at a body of ground-breaking research. An important book. Kay Redfield Jamisonauthor of "An Unquiet Mind""Authentic Happiness" is an excellent book about emotions that are vital, positive, and lend great strength to our lives. Martin Seligman, a pioneer in the field of positive emotions, has written a book that will make a real difference to many people. Mary Pipherauthor of "Reviving Ophelia"Seligman takes the best, most recent science in psychology and applies it to our oldest, most basic human questions -- how can we be happy? And how can we be good? His book is ground-breaking, heart-lifting and, most importantly, deeply useful. With pun intended, I'm optimistic about its success. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyiauthor of "Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience"A revolutionary perspective on psychology, Seligman's "Authentic Happiness" is a beacon for human behavior in the new century. Laypersons and professionals alike will find this book enormously enriching. It summarizes a huge literature, it provides concrete self-assessment tools, and it speaks with a joyful voice about what it means to be fully alive. Steven PinkerPeter de Florez Professor of Psychology, MIT, and author of "The Language Instinct"A highly insightful scientific and personal reflection on the nature of happiness, from one of the most creative and influential psychologists of our time. Joan Oliver Goldsmithauthor of "How Can We Keep from Singing: Music and the Passionate Life" To read this book is to walk with your head floating in clouds of possibility while your feet tread firmly on the ground of scientific research. Dr. Seligman gives us the tools to tap into our greatest strengths, so that we can live more joyously while making a greater contribution to loved ones, work and community.