Authentic Happiness

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

By: Martin E.P. Seligman Ph.D.

Narrated by: John Dossett

Length: 4 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

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 best-selling 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: kindness, originality, humor, optimism, and generosity. By frequently calling upon their "signature strengths" in all the crucial realms of life, listeners 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.

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.

©2002 Martin Seligman (P)2002 Simon and Schuster Inc. All rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"A bold new plan for taking control of your life and finding lasting happiness." (Elle)
"This smooth abridgment, read perfectly by John Dossett, will win new respect for the behavioral sciences, which have taken a beating during the recent resurgence of the spiritual disciplines." (AudioFile)

Great book, missing parts from paper copy though

Would you consider the audio edition of Authentic Happiness to be better than the print version?

No, while the audio version was great, when I referred to the print version I found that the audio version skipped over some print parts. This may be fine for others, but since I needed it for a class, it was important to me.

What other book might you compare Authentic Happiness to and why?

Many of other Seligmans books would be comparable. Its better than a lot of "self-help" books though, since its more psychology based.

Which scene was your favorite?

I didnt really have a favorite scene, as this was non-fiction, but the sections on why positive emotions are beneficial were good.

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

The Happiness formula was a part of the book that I will likely remember and apply to my life.

Informative

There is alot of practical info in this book. It is very scholarly and useful. If you are not careful you can be lulled to sleep during the presentation of some awesome theories. However, pound for pound I glad I made the purchase.

Optimistic

Good clear narration of a classic on ones strengths to overcome depression. Needs a computer to do many of the tests available on Seligman's webpage. A hopeful contribution that can be listened to while driving.

Uninspiring

If you are looking for inspiration, it's not here. I would spend my Audible credits elsewhere.

great Book

understanding what happened it is all about how to achieve more of it and understanding positive emotions.

Interesting

Chock full of stats and data, study results and evidence, to support the theory that one is capable of experiencing one's own happiness. There are no practical exercises to apply to your own life experiences, but plenty of theory and evidence to get one thinking about the application of the principles to one's set of current beliefs.

Disappointing

I really liked the book and the principles of positive psychology. However, it wasn’t until I got to the end that I found out that this audiobook is an abridged version of the original. Maybe I didn’t read the introduction carefully enough.

Decent

The narrator does a great job. The book has some good points and gets you thinking however the end seems to trail off a bit. I would recommend it.

meh

it's the same mindfulness I've heard before. I was recommended this by a loved one and I listened out of respect. never again.

True happ"y"nesd

I'm a cancer survivor and the intervention for treatment is radical. My minister (Dr. Doug Hammack-author of Rethinking Sex on Amazon) recommend this book. I've listened twice because there's much valuable information about what is true happiness -beyond the physical and material.

This book is helping me through an extremely tough time. I highly recommend everyone to get\listen to the book. Especially pay attention to the part in forgiving.