Martin Seligman

First problem with this book was my own-- I thought this was another exploration into Seligman's well known work and concepts or perhaps newer work. It is actually an autobiography which may have been obvious to everyone else so it would not be fair to give a low rating because of this.

Second problem with this book may also be my own in that it is an example of the idea that one should not meet their heroes. Seligman turns out to be by his own autobiographical accounts-- arrogant, sexist, scared of black people, and surprisingly not quite an embodiment of the ideas behind the work he has spent decades popularizing.

To paraphrase one example of his arrogance, Seligman credits himself as maybe not an Einstein but at least an Oppenheimer. Even Steve Jobs, never to be mistaken as humble, denied being as good as Oppenheimer in the Walter Isaacson bio.

The bits where Seligman discusses his work, his colleagues, and other influential and behind-the-scenes figures in related fields are interesting, even if he does spend much of that time criticizing others. Unfortunately and oddly, most of the book seems to be written as though he were responding defensively to a critique of his character, originality, and intellect. To be fair, he expounds on some of the origin of this, he gives examples of how he had been tough to work or get along with and had to work on his communication style throughout his career.

Was not worthwhile.… (mere)

La nueva Psicologia Positiva revoluciona el concepto de felicidad y senala el camino para conseguirla.El doctor Martin Seligman, el investigador de la psique humana que hace una decada creo el concepto de "optimismo aprendido," presenta ahora una nueva y revolucionaria corriente cientifica, la Psicologia Positiva.En lugar de centrarse, como la psicologia tradicional, en el estudio y tratamiento de la enfermedad mental, la Psicologia Positiva dirige su atencion a las fortalezas humanas, a aquellos aspectos que nos permiten aprender, disfrutar, ser alegres, generosos, serenos, solidarios y optimistas… (mere)