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Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Martin Seligman (Author), Jesse Boggs (Narrator), Simon & Schuster Audio (Publisher)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,720 ratings
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This book will help you flourish.

With this unprecedented promise, internationally esteemed psychologist Martin Seligman begins Flourish, his first book in 10 years - and the first to present his dynamic new concept of what well-being really is. Traditionally, the goal of psychology has been to relieve human suffering, but the goal of the Positive Psychology movement, which Dr. Seligman has led for 15 years, is different: it’s about actually raising the bar for the human condition.

Flourish builds on Dr. Seligman’s game-changing work on optimism, motivation, and character to show how to get the most out of life, unveiling an electrifying new theory of what makes a good life - for individuals, for communities, and for nations.

In a fascinating evolution of thought and practice, Flourish refines what Positive Psychology is all about. While certainly a part of well-being, happiness alone doesn’t give life meaning. Seligman now asks, What is it that enables you to cultivate your talents, to build deep, lasting relationships with others, to feel pleasure, and to contribute meaningfully to the world? In a word, what is it that allows you to flourish?

“Well-being” takes the stage front and center, and Happiness (or Positive Emotion) becomes one of the five pillars of Positive Psychology, along with Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment—or PERMA, the permanent building blocks for a life of profound fulfillment. Thought-provoking in its implications for education, economics, therapy, medicine, and public policy - the very fabric of society - Flourish tells inspiring stories of Positive Psychology in action, including how the entire U.S. Army is now trained in emotional resilience; how innovative schools can educate for fulfillment in life and not just for workplace success; and how corporations can improve performance at the same time as they raise employee well-being.

With interactive exercises to help readers explore their own attitudes and aims, Flourish is a watershed in the understanding of happiness as well as a tool for getting the most out of life. On the cutting edge of a science that has changed millions of lives, Dr. Seligman now creates the ultimate extension and capstone of his best-selling classics, Authentic Happiness and Learned Optimism.

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  1. Listening Length
    9 hours and 30 minutes
  2. Author
    Martin Seligman
  3. Narrator
    Jesse Boggs
  4. Audible release date
    April 5, 2011
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Simon & Schuster Audio
  7. ASIN
    B004V6AUPE
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 9 hours and 30 minutes
Author Martin Seligman
Narrator Jesse Boggs
Audible.com Release Date April 05, 2011
Publisher Simon & Schuster Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B004V6AUPE
Best Sellers Rank #11,808 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#34 in Medical Applied Psychology
#49 in Medical Cognitive Psychology
#198 in Business Motivation & Self-Improvement (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
1,720 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's content valuable and comprehensive. They describe it as an engaging read that sparks thought. The book focuses on positive psychology and wise living, with an emphasis on developing positive relationships. Readers consider it a good investment for individuals who want to enhance their well-being. They praise the author as an expert and appreciate his research and dedication to the field.

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ReadabilityInsightHappinessValue for moneyAuthorResilience
150 customers mention "Readability"114 positive36 negative

Customers find the book readable and thought-provoking. They appreciate the clear writing style with plenty of research supporting the points. Readers also enjoy the electronic version that allows seamless interaction with the content. The author is described as an engaging writer who is willing to admit when science is not sufficient.

"...And it is all interesting and clearly written enough that I read this book eagerly in a couple of sittings...." Read more

"...can be produced by almost anything: eating a good meal, watching a good movie, having a good conversation with a friend, making love, and so on...." Read more

"...Nevertheless, this is a book that is definitely worth reading. Seligman never disappoints." Read more

"...However, it is a fairly well written book by Martin Seligman, one of the founders of Positive Psychology, and provides a passionate argument for..." Read more

148 customers mention "Insight"131 positive17 negative

Customers find the book's insights valuable and comprehensive. They describe it as a classic text for psychologists and lay people alike. The content covers everything from happiness to sex in space. Readers appreciate the examples, exercises, and wide range of applications of concepts from childhood education to military resilience.

"...Rather than mere mood enhancement, he sees a different and broader aim--flourishing, which includes having good relationships with others and a..." Read more

"...on breakthroughs in teaching well-being to young people, a new theory of intelligence (very similar to the work in emotional intelligence), and the..." Read more

"...You will discover PP is not “self help,” but rather a solid field of psychology with its foundation in empirical study and scientific research...." Read more

"...Dr. Seligman shows you the science, and gives you interesting, applicable evidence and stories to help you see how flourishing can make your life..." Read more

90 customers mention "Happiness"86 positive4 negative

Customers find the book provides a visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being. They appreciate the author's presentation of positive psychology and wise living. The book offers practical advice to improve personal life and society as a whole. It provides a sound understanding of why positivity, engagement, relationships, and meaning are important. Readers also mention that the section on optimism and cardiovascular health is excellent.

"...different and broader aim--flourishing, which includes having good relationships with others and a generally meaningful life...." Read more

"...Relationships - acts of kindness, connecting with others, and sharing laughter, joy, pride, or purpose provide deep and lasting feelings of well-..." Read more

"...1. Positive emotion. Positive emotion is just the set of happy feelings you have in any given day...." Read more

"...is already there, extends the joy and happiness, as well as solidifies the relationship.] Obviously I am a big fan of Marty Seligman...." Read more

11 customers mention "Value for money"9 positive2 negative

Customers find the book a good investment for individuals who want to enhance their well-being. They say it's an inspirational and upbeat read that offers practical exercises. The book is described as a valuable extension and integration of Seligman's work.

"...of human flourishing then I think this book would be a valuable addition to your library. I definitely recommend it." Read more

"...In brief this book is good investment for indiviuals who want to enhance their own well-being and the well-being of others in families, schools and..." Read more

"This thoughtful extension and and expansion of Seligman's work on authentic happiness provides a great deal of "food for consideration and..." Read more

"Very inspirational and upbeat; offers some great and practical exercises to increase one's happiness and positive flow of energy; also very easy to..." Read more

7 customers mention "Author"7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the author's work. They find the book an important piece on Seligman's thinking and research. It is both an autobiography and biography of positive psychology.

"This thoughtful extension and and expansion of Seligman's work on authentic happiness provides a great deal of "food for consideration and..." Read more

"...On the surface, the book is at once an autobiography of Seligman, a biography of positive psychology and the ultimate self-help book; although it..." Read more

"...Nevertheless, it's an important piece on Seligman's thinking and shows his advances on the science of well-being introducing some new and key..." Read more

"An excellent book about an excellent topic, positive psychology. Seligman is a good and thoughtful writer with great clinical experience...." Read more

7 customers mention "Resilience"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book helpful for developing resilience and character strengths. They appreciate the author's dedication and perseverance in his field of endeavor. The book provides tools to develop these qualities and authentically flourish within the context of standard living.

"...account of Dr. Seligman's pro bono work with the U.S. Army, fostering resilience...." Read more

"...provides an appendix of twenty-four VIA (Values in Action) Signature Strengths...." Read more

"...Chapter 5 describes how global educators are applying PP to develop resilience, character strengths, academic capacity, and prosperity..." Read more

"...Several things jumped out at me about this man: His dedication and perseverance to a field of endeavor and study that he is passionate about; his..." Read more

Create a Life of Purpose
5 out of 5 stars
Create a Life of Purpose
8 Dimensions of Wellness: Emotional, Spiritual, SocialTake-aways: PERMA (Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment) is the updated formula for creating a purposeful, meaningful, happy life. Positive Psychology is proving itYou'll LOVE this book if: you're looking for ways to intentionally create more opportunities in your life to be happy, engaged, and find meaning.DON'T read if: you feel you already have a handle on your life, or don't feel that PERMA is important to you.Reasons I love this book: I always appreciate systems and steps to creating a more purposeful, meaningful life. Dr. Seligman shows you the science, and gives you interesting, applicable evidence and stories to help you see how flourishing can make your life better.When reading books, I often take one or two nuggets from them, absorb them into my preconceived knowledge of the world, and attempt to use what it shared with me to expand my horizons. I'm very rare occasions, the book will completely shift my perspective, and set me on a new path. This book has done just that.While you may not completely change the trajectory of your life, this book will likely do two things:1)give you both a sound understanding of why positivity, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishments can help you build a better life,2) give you tactical, tangible means to begin creating that life.The world will improve to the use of positive psychology. Because the world is directed by individuals, and the better the individuals, the better the direction.Find it on Amazon. Tell me when you buy it. Share your thoughts with me. If you love it, tell me, and we'll start helping others build a better life, together.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Phyllis S., NYC
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Good Life--A Broader View
    Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    I have read most of Martin Seligman's books, and let me say up front I'm grateful for his work as founder of the positive psychology movement. There is a lot of data that a pessimistic take on events does not make for either physical health or general wellbeing--and these studies are so consistent it is hard to imagine they're all wrong. What if you tend to look a bit too much at the dark side of events? Can you change? The idea is not to become Pollyanna-to-the-point-of-stupidity, of course, but only to cultivate a somewhat sunnier outlook. Well, it turns out you can change, at least to an extent, and Dr. Seligman has pioneered techniques to increase optimism. I've personally found some of the methods he recommends helpful. I particularly like the "three blessings" exercise in which each day one picks out three things that have gone well. This helps shift the mind to a focus on what is good in everyday life. The idea of making a point of using "signature strengths" to cope on a daily basis with life's challenges is also useful. (A quiz to help you identify your strengths is included in this book.) I like the fact that positive psychology is based on empirical studies rather than wishful thinking, and there is data to show its techniques work.

    This is not a self-help book, however, but more of an account of Dr. Seligman's reconsideration of the ultimate goal of positive psychology. Rather than mere mood enhancement, he sees a different and broader aim--flourishing, which includes having good relationships with others and a generally meaningful life. There is an interesting discussion here of what makes for happiness in the truest sense. Also the book contains a detailed account of Dr. Seligman's pro bono work with the U.S. Army, fostering resilience. (I was moved by his revealing the personal motives--he is the grandson of immigrants lucky to escape the Holocaust--that led him to do this work.) There is abundant material on using positive psychology in corporate or school settings. All to my mind quite fascinating.

    So, to sum up, there's a lot here about the expanded theory and applying positive psychology in organizations. And it is all interesting and clearly written enough that I read this book eagerly in a couple of sittings. Still, people looking for an introduction to the field of positive psychology and in particular those who want to use its findings to become happier, might prefer Dr, Seligman's earlier book AUTHENTIC HAPPINESS. (FLOURISH does describe many of the same techniques mentioned in AUTHENTIC HAPPINESS but it has a broader focus.)

    If when I read a psychology book I take away one technique for fostering better relationships--something I didn't know before--I'm thrilled. The information here on how to help people celebrate their wins in life and increase their joy was eye-opening. You say "Of course" when you read this, and then thinking about it, you realize you've learned something new and useful. This is on many levels a great book.
    69 people found this helpful
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  • Jim Clemmer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Science-Based and Broader Approach to Thriving
    Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    Since the mid-eighties I've been an avid follower of Martin Seligman's leading-edge work at the University of Pennsylvania. He began his distinguished psychology career in the late sixties studying pessimism, learned helplessness, and depression. His two previous books, Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life and Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Lasting Fulfillment are loaded with extensive and solid research from the rapidly expanding fields of cognitive therapy and positive psychology. I cited them to reinforce my two books on self/personal leadership; Growing the Distance: Timeless Principles for Personal, Career, and Family Success and Growing @ the Speed of Change: Your Inspir-actional How-To Guide For Leading Yourself and Others through Constant Change.

    His latest book lives up to its title. Seligman continues to build and expand on his life work. He starts with a radical rethinking of his own studies and results from the flood of new happiness research of the past decade. In Flourish, he writes, "I actually detest the word happiness, which is so overused that it has become meaningless." Seligman goes on to outline what he sees beyond good feelings and smiley faces, "I now think that the topic of positive psychology is well-being, that the gold standard for measuring well-being is flourishing, and that the goal of positive psychology is to increase flourishing. This theory, which I call well-being theory, is very different from authentic happiness theory..."

    Seligman centers well-being theory on a "PERMA" framework:

    Positive Emotion - happiness and life satisfaction are moved from being the end goals to factors of well-being.

    Engagement - when we're in this state of "flow," time flies by as thoughts and feelings are often absent. We then look back later at just how fun or rewarding the activity was.

    Relationships - acts of kindness, connecting with others, and sharing laughter, joy, pride, or purpose provide deep and lasting feelings of well-being.

    Meaning - feeling we're part of something much bigger or serving a greater purpose that ourselves.

    Accomplishment - goals such as money, fame, winning, or mastery that we pursue for their own sake
    whether or not they bring positive emotion, stronger relationships, or meaning.

    The PERMA elements of our well-being are maximized when they align with our highest strengths. Flourish provides an appendix of twenty-four VIA (Values in Action) Signature Strengths. Seligman and his colleagues developed these as the foundation for positive psychology to counterbalance the decades old mental illness or "sickness model." Minimizing misery is the path of psychiatry that traces back to Freud and is still deeply entrenched in many psycho therapy disciplines and treatments. Go to [...] to take the Signature Strengths questionnaire -- among many other excellent personal assessment and development tools provided there free with registration.

    Seligman's work is deeply grounded in extensive research and science. This is especially evident in Flourish with 50 pages of fine print footnotes. His evidence-based approach clearly sets Flourish apart from most personal growth books puffed up with fluffy theories and wild claims. However, it will make harder reading for some readers, having to sift through the academic approaches and citations for many of the practical nuggets, application exercises, and personal growth insights buried throughout the book.

    Flourish covers a lot of ground in the rapidly expanding field of positive psychology. Seligman reports on the development of the new Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) degree program that he leads at the University of Pennsylvania. The program's mission is to "combine cutting-edge scholarship with the application of knowledge to the real world." He also provides chapters on breakthroughs in teaching well-being to young people, a new theory of intelligence (very similar to the work in emotional intelligence), and the biology of optimism.

    Flourish has two chapters dealing with a huge project Seligman and his colleagues have with the U.S. Army to provide Comprehensive Soldier Fitness and Master Resilience Training to hundreds of thousands. One goal is converting Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) into Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG).

    Seligman concludes Flourish with his "moon shot objective" (inspired by President JF Kennedy's audacious goal declared in 1961 to land on the moon by the end of the decade) of PERMA 51. This chapter proposes a new approach to the politics and economics of well-being with new measures of a country's prosperity based on the PERMA indicators. PERMA 51 is "the long mission for positive psychology. By the year 2051, 51 percent of the people of the world will be flourishing."

    By applying PERMA to our own lives -- and using these concepts in our parenting, coaching, leading, and developing others -- we can all benefit from "shooting for the moon."
    22 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Maria
    1.0 out of 5 stars Aburrido y sin evidencia
    Reviewed in Mexico on April 10, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Basado en puras opiniones, nada de evidencia. Su teoría bastante simplista. No recomiendo para nada, aburrido
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  • Julie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book
    Reviewed in Belgium on January 27, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Amazing book. A bit hard to read at the beginning if you don’t have a scientific background, but as you progress through the book it gets easier. And it’s worth it. The topic of this book and all of the tips & explanations stated in this book are amazing. Would definitely recommend!
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  • ITP
    5.0 out of 5 stars Muy recomendable
    Reviewed in Spain on September 2, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Un placer leer este libro
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  • Caitlin Cockcroft
    5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for those wanting to understand how we thrive as opposed to existing psychological theories of why we suffer
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 21, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I think Martin Seligman’s approach to writing a part-memoir part-theoretical book is really appealing and is one of the reasons I remain engaged with such writings.

    I am fascinated by the concept of positive psychology and how it was not considered scientific enough to be taught in my highly renowned university degree 9 years ago, but that now it’s being acknowledged as the credible theory it is, I believe it should be taught within standardised psychology degrees.

    The book itself leaves me wanting more - more of the science, more of the theory, more of Seligman’s experiences.
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  • Frances Baxter
    5.0 out of 5 stars loved this
    Reviewed in Australia on December 26, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Seligman made me stop and think. Where am I in his writing? Where do I want to be? I think I will re-read, more to absorb and consider. Highly recommend.
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