Resilience: The Science of Mastering Life's Greatest Challenges [Paperback]

Steven M. Southwick (Author), Dennis S. Charney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 23, 2012 | ISBN-10: 0521195632 | ISBN-13: 978-0521195638 | Edition: 1

Many of us will be struck by one or more major traumas sometime in our lives. Perhaps you have been a victim of sexual abuse, domestic violence or assault. Perhaps you were involved in a serious car accident. Perhaps you are a combat veteran. Maybe you were on the beach in Thailand during a tsunami, or in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. Or maybe, you are among the millions who have suffered a debilitating disease, lost a loved one or lost your job. This inspiring book identifies ten key ways to weather and bounce back from stress and trauma. Incorporating the latest scientific research and dozens of interviews with trauma survivors, it provides a practical guide to building emotional, mental and physical resilience. Written by experts in post-traumatic stress, this book provides a vital and successful roadmap for overcoming the adversities we all face at some point in our lives.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book is awesome. Nobody can predict the future and we all know that tragedy can strike at anytime. This book teaches you how to become stronger, how to bend but not break, and how to make the best out of a bad situation. The authors are real scientists-they cut through all the fluff out there and show you how to toughen up for the challenges that lie ahead. This book teaches you that you're a lot stronger than you think...that you are resilient." Earvin "Magic" Johnson

"[The authors] have written a crisp, user-friendly guide to the latest scientific research on resilience. With a light touch, they illuminate what seems to be every major study in the field over the last 20 years." -- Washington Independent Review of Books

"This brief but powerful book makes an important contribution to our understanding of trauma and the psychological, biological, and social factors that can help us triumph over adversity." --ForeWord

"Resilience: The Science of Mastering Life's Greatest Challenges deserves a wide audience. Its mixture of case accounts and current reviews of the scientific literature on resiliency makes for an enjoyable and informative read." --PsycCritiques

Book Description

Many of us are struck by major trauma sometime in our lives. This inspiring book identifies ten key ways to weather and bounce back from stress and trauma. Incorporating the latest scientific research and interviews with trauma survivors, it provides a practical guide to building emotional, mental and physical resilience.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 204 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 1 edition (July 23, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521195632
• ISBN-13: 978-0521195638
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.4 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,868 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #67 in Books > Medical Books > Psychology > General
  • #71 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Psychology & Counseling > Personality

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Aweseom, but...adn furthermore... February 20, 2013

By Paschal Baute

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

The authors have gathered a stunning array not only of narrative reports of people responding to diverse traumas , but also of a vast number of psychological studies demonstrating the power of the mind to survive and thrive The ten factors proposed as making up the human quality of resilience are well documented. However "factors" chosen are more multi-dimensional forms of fitness and wellness rather than specific factors. Mental, emotional, physical, spiritual, and social forms of fitness are specified and explained.

Key points are illustrated by examples of veterans or civilians surviving traumas. Professional caregivers of every sort will be taught and inspired by every page. However, the lay reader will likely be overwhelmed by the array of reports and research. They should read the first (skip the brain chemicals)and the last chapters, and then begin the ones in between, more at leisure, one per week or per month, as the spirit leads. Some lay readers may also not find enough "how-to" practical applications. In my view there are plenty implied and enough spelled out to help "fully engage."

For example, "acceptance "and realistic optimism are explained. The authors admit their list is not complete. One oversight for this practitioner of wellness is little attention is given to forgiveness. I am a semi-retired psychologist teaching total wellness of mind, body, spir for many years, more recently, focusing on stress management: tips and an inventory. "Resilience" is the human capacity that supports and affirms insights in both arenas. In my current work with repeat addictive offenders and blind veterans coping with vision loss, I will be promoting these insights. A salute to the authors for including so many reports from so many of our wounded veterans.... Both professional and lay readers will find much that is useful for both their work and personal lives.

The vast amount of research in this book makes it a useful text for a college course, as well as a handbook for the human resource manager. It should be bedside table reading for all those in counseling or caregiver occupations

Let's go further. Given the challenges of coping well in today's world with new stress always around the corner, it is incumbent upon each of us to bring the best we can in optimal functioning to our personal challenges. Therefore it is beneficial to step back to examine the awareness we have, the attitude we bring, to the stresses and strains of our lives. The book has enough explanation and demonstration in the new science of resilience to be useful if not necessary to most everyone. My only advice is to take it slow. The amount of research summarized is occasionally "mountainous." I intend to summarize and reframe this new science into a resilience checklist" for group discussion and training in "attitudes for Wellness. The new neuroscience also has much to offer on how our brain really works outside awareness. .

BTW, we now know we have a DNA chip or gene for belief, for story and storytelling. The key question is what story or stories will we choose to nurture the amazing journey of our heart? WE can find signposts and pathways through the new science of resilience. We are now the first generation of humans to really know, to know that we literally came from the stars. We are stardust gathered into this singular unique person who is an elegant and humble portal for understanding the universe that we are part of. The story of faith tells us we are created in the image of mystery and live inside the connectedness of mystery. "The most beautiful thing in the universe is the mysterious," said Einstein. Ther scientific bent of the authors do not allow them to deal with "mystery." Yet it is implied everywhere so this is a beautiful book.

Paschal Baute Read more ›

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Highest Recommendation September 28, 2012

By Julia Fernandez

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book was recommended to me by a colleague who is in the psychiatric field, assuring me that the authors are both considered to be the authorities on the subject. I was surprised to find that the book is actually superbly written! with captivating stories of people overcoming the most trying of circumstances to come out stronger. The book strikes a balance between narrative and science, and in the end puts together a list of ways that humans can help themselves become more resilient. i highly recommend this book to anyone who is dealing with stress in their life, be it the traumatic stress of a life altering event or the daily stress of work and home. This book has something for everyone.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A very readable book on dealing with life's challenges October 14, 2012

By Evan L. Flatow

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This highly readable book presents the medical, scientific, and historical evidence for why some resilent individuals can seem to overcome horrifying adversity while others sink into depression and torpor. The authors cite authorities as diverse as Stoic philosophy, Buddhist teachings, neurobiologic research, and the personal stories of rape victims and prisoners-of-war to give practical lessons on how each of us can "train" to meet life's challenges much as athletes train for difficult competitions.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This needs to be in all school curriculum! April 25, 2013

By Mishae Bailitis

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Great read , particularly liked the blend of brain science with real life accounts from resilient people. Felt that there was a slightly heavy focus on military perspectives, though plenty of civilan stories to back it up. Practice these factors and you will become more resilient!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting and engaging book April 25, 2013

By Paula

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

The stories and examples given from true life experiences of people who went through the trauma of 9/11 and special ops situations, POWs and health experiences really makes it hard to put down. You also learn concepts and perspective that will help you and yours regardless of your life experiences. If you want to understand more about being or becoming a resilient person, read this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Decent Book on Interesting Subject January 2, 2013

By R

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this book because I read a newspaper article that referenced it. The content is certainly interesting (why are some people so resilient while others struggle to overcome/move on from trauma), but the writing style is sometimes academic and a little dry. I like that each chapter has anecdotes from the lives of real people who have encountered serious trauma.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful book December 27, 2012

By A. Cochran

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Have always been a pretty resilient person; but the challenges of a muscle disorder have tested it. This book is helpful with suggestions and reminders of how to be resilient.

5.0 out of 5 stars right on! May 26, 2013

By Scot Spratt

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book puts what we believe to be true; into a structure which identifies why. If your a results driven person looking to understand and pass along to yourself, your family and or friends specific things to help, I recommend this book.