The New "Secret"

Bright-sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America by Barbara Ehrenreich

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I was alerted to this book by a friend on Goodreads.  As an optimist I couldn't help but want to see what it was about.  My husband, the pessimist, thought I was strange for wanting to read it.  I couldn't help but hear his voice throughout the book.  I once read and was moved by "The Secret."  This book bashes it, along with other motivational books and speakers I've admired.  It gave me reason to really think about the pros and cons of positive thinking.  In the end (she did a good job of bringing it together at the end - but I did struggle through a couple chapters wondering at her negativity) I realized that there must be something out there better than just having an optimistic outlook.  As she said, it's not about being negative either, at least I like to think she said that.  I remember advice my father used to give - you don't have to like it you just have to eat it.  I guess in life you don't have to think all is rosy and you don't have to think the sky is falling, you just have to work.  A willingness to work hard may be what's undermining America, and the trend toward positive thinking is a nice way to justify our laziness.  Anyway, it was a quick read and gave some added insight into the recent market crash, as well as a renewed desire to be hard working and realistic.  But I'm still determined to be hopeful!



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