Bright-sided

By Barbara Ehrenreich

Subjects: Success in business, Self-confidence, Self-deception, Optimism, New York Times reviewed, Happiness, Geluk (voorspoed), Optimisme

Description: A sharp-witted knockdown of America's love affair with positive thinking and an urgent call for a new commitment to realism, existential clarity and courage. "Confronts the false promises of positive thinking and shows its reach into every corner of American life, from Evangelical megachurches to the medical establishment, and, worse of all, to the business community, where the refusal to consider negative outcomes -- like mortgage defaults -- contributed directly to the current economic disaster." The author sees personal self-blame and national denial as the "downside of positive thinking."