Science of Optimism and Hope (Laws of Life Symposia Series) [Paperback]

Jane E. Gillham (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Templeton Foundation Press (November 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890151262
• ISBN-13: 978-1890151263
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #515,083 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Better on Optimism than on Pessimism, December 7, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Science of Optimism and Hope (Laws of Life Symposia Series) (Paperback)

Dr. Seligman has become well known for his work on optimism (i.e., Learned Optimism). But this edited collection of essays and his Positive Psychology movement in general, do not show a very sophisticated understanding of psychological research and theory on pessimism. This edited volume can be compared directly with: Optimism & Pessimism: Implications for Theory, Research, and Practice, Edited by Edward C. Chang. I find Chang's book to be more scholarly, better balanced, and thus more informative. Unrealistic optimism is no adequate replacement for the authenticity of anxiety and worry or the adaptive value of constructive pessimism.

19 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Personal essays on optimism and hope, March 21, 2001

By 

Markku Ojanen (Lempäälä Finland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Science of Optimism and Hope (Laws of Life Symposia Series) (Paperback)

Martin Seligman is really worth of this book. He speaks now about positive psychology after 100 years of negative psychology. Essential to positive psychology are concepts of optimism and hope. Without these human beings would have perished. Essays have been written by leading authorities in this area. Language is clear and the chapters can be understood by laymen. Health, family and therapy related research is discussed in the book. The style is quite free and personal comments are included. I recommend this book for those who have some basic knowledge in psychology.