Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life
About this product
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • The father of positive psychology draws on more than twenty years of clinical research to show you how to overcome depression, boost your immune system, and make yourself happier.
"Vaulted me out of my funk.... So, fellow moderate pessimists, go buy this book." — The New York Times Book Review
Offering many simple techniques anyone can practice, Dr. Seligman explains how to break an “I–give–up” habit, develop a more constructive explanatory style for interpreting your behavior, and experience the benefits of a more positive interior dialogue.
With generous additional advice on how to encourage optimistic behavior at school, at work and in children, Learned Optimism is both profound and practical—and valuable for every phase of life. Read more
Editor's Take
Amazon reviewers describe this book as informative, helpful, and practical for changing thought patterns, but they also note mixed readability and pacing, with some calling it boring or heavy on pessimism.
Goodreads shows a large review base with many opinions, and The StoryGraph includes enthusiastic reader reactions such as finding the book needed during a difficult year.
Other review blogs also rate it positively, often highlighting the book’s value as a self-improvement and positive-psychology classic.
YouTube results included several real videos about the book, including audiobook previews, summaries, and review-style clips, so this title clearly has video coverage.
- Some readers praise the exercises and ideas as useful for managing pessimistic thinking.
- Some readers feel the writing is dense, repetitive, or less engaging than expected.
- Overall sentiment leans positive, especially for readers interested in psychology and self-help.
Price History
Specifications
| Publisher | Vintage |
| Publication date | January 3, 2006 |
| Edition | Reprint |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 319 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1400078393 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1400078394 |
| Item Weight | 2.31 pounds |
| Dimensions | 5.2 x 0.68 x 8 inches |
| Best Sellers Rank | #17,905 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #51 in Popular Psychology Personality Study #334 in Happiness Self-Help #415 in Personal Transformation Self-Help |
| Customer Reviews | 4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars (3,220) |
