Flourish

A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being

By: Martin Seligman

Narrated by: Jesse Boggs

Length: 9 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

This book will help you flourish.

With this unprecedented promise, internationally esteemed psychologist Martin Seligman begins Flourish, his first book in 10 years - and the first to present his dynamic new concept of what well-being really is. Traditionally, the goal of psychology has been to relieve human suffering, but the goal of the Positive Psychology movement, which Dr. Seligman has led for 15 years, is different: it’s about actually raising the bar for the human condition.

Flourish builds on Dr. Seligman’s game-changing work on optimism, motivation, and character to show how to get the most out of life, unveiling an electrifying new theory of what makes a good life - for individuals, for communities, and for nations.

In a fascinating evolution of thought and practice, Flourish refines what Positive Psychology is all about. While certainly a part of well-being, happiness alone doesn’t give life meaning. Seligman now asks, What is it that enables you to cultivate your talents, to build deep, lasting relationships with others, to feel pleasure, and to contribute meaningfully to the world? In a word, what is it that allows you to flourish?

“Well-being” takes the stage front and center, and Happiness (or Positive Emotion) becomes one of the five pillars of Positive Psychology, along with Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment—or PERMA, the permanent building blocks for a life of profound fulfillment. Thought-provoking in its implications for education, economics, therapy, medicine, and public policy - the very fabric of society - Flourish tells inspiring stories of Positive Psychology in action, including how the entire U.S. Army is now trained in emotional resilience; how innovative schools can educate for fulfillment in life and not just for workplace success; and how corporations can improve performance at the same time as they raise employee well-being.

With interactive exercises to help readers explore their own attitudes and aims, Flourish is a watershed in the understanding of happiness as well as a tool for getting the most out of life. On the cutting edge of a science that has changed millions of lives, Dr. Seligman now creates the ultimate extension and capstone of his best-selling classics, Authentic Happiness and Learned Optimism.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2011 Martin Seligman, Ph.D. All rights reserved. (P)2011 2011 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Brilliant, beautiful, useful, and true. How many books can you say that about? Well, you can say it for sure about Flourish. Written by a master of research as well as a thoroughly joyful man, Flourish will allow you to flourish if you simply read the book and follow its sane, sage, ground-breaking advice. Skeptics, beware! This book will prove you wrong. You actually can plan your way to a joyful and fulfilling life. Read and rejoice!” (Edward Hallowell, M.D., author of Shine: Using Brain Science to Bring the Best from Your People)

Not a how to

This is a historical work about how he created positive psychology theory and the rationale behind it which is impressive, but bot the day to day how to info I was hoping for.

Game changer in simplistic mental health improveme

Profound insight and information. I will definitely be rereading this and going through the supplied attachments.

Well-Being Worth Your Reading

I came to this book after hearing Seligman's interview on the HBR Ideacast where he talked specifically about his work on behalf of the US Army and developing Post-Traumatic Growth.

This is an enjoyable and stimulating read, with some provocative ideas and surprising data. I did not expect but thoroughly enjoyed the many personal stories, not so much of patient progress, but behind the scenes glimpses of the politics of science, psychology, and higher ed. The author is not shy about expressing his opinion, and calling out professional disagreement. This was appreciated.

There are plenty of stories and material to take back to the workplace and the classroom (one and the same for me) for trial, as well as personal activities worth a shot.

This book is NOT to be dismissed as mere Positivism or promotion of Happiness as a mood, this is rather a look into the state of the art of well-being –the history, the research, and the prognosis.

The narrator is a great stand-in for Seligman with a comforting, paternal voice and no condescension. I'd listen to more.

So much to learn!

I think this is a great place to learn about positive psychology from the pioneer himself. so many implications for and applications to life. Love the Well-being Theory and the constructs of PERMA. A must read for all helping professionals.

Awesome Science!

Flourish explains the science behind well being! This book should be mandatory reading for everyone at any age. I highly recommend this book to all!

Moving the helping field in a dual direction.

Seligman's book does a fantastic job of helping the reader break free from traditional approaches is how and where the helping field should go to be most impactful, outlining current steps, empirical data and opportunities for self development along the way.

Wellbeing not happiness worth pursuing.

This is Martin Seligman, s new improvements and development of his previous authentic happiness theory

Reasons to Increase Well-being

Marty Seligman has brilliantly captured the scientific evidence and theories that will help entire countries flourish. Seligman shares the how and why of his PERMA formula for well-being so all of us can benefit from better health and greater life satisfaction.

ahead of the game.

This author is not only a founder of the concept but also his own skeptic. He is good at tearing apart his own earlier work and showing errors in it and how it should be improved upon while most books on happiness just regurgitate his earlier works.

One of my new favorites!

Loved it... new concepts to ponder. I will continue to research positive psychology and the effects, this has been a great introduction to the topic...