Martin E.P. Seligman - The Hope Circuit: A Psychologists Journey from Helplessness to Optimism

Martys book is not an autobiography. Its a personalized, guided tour through the mind and consciousness of genius. I thought I knew my friend from our many years of association. But not until I read The Hope Circuit did I really understand how Martys life is a reflection of the unimaginable purity of one mans creative and unparalleled intellect.

Major General Robert Scales (retired)

Here is a major thinker who sees deeply into human nature and tells a good story. In The Hope Circuit , Marty Seligman displays both these gifts. Th is book is his best writing and thinking yet.

Angela Duckworth, CEO of the Character Lab and bestselling author ofGrit

Martin Seligman is an intellectual giant, and readers will look to his memoir The Hope Circuit for secrets to his phenomenal impact as a scholar. What they will find is a deeply human story of his own struggles, hopes and ideas, told in an inspiring way. The Hope Circuit is more than an autobiography; it is handbook for each of us to build a life dedicated to human flourishing.

Arthur C. Brooks, PhD, President of the American Enterprise Institute

The Hope Circuit is a masterful blend of memoir and recent intellectual historyspecifically, the history of trying to understand how we can live richer and more meaningful lives. Th is book could only have been written by someone who has played a vital role in that inquiry, cares passionately about it, and has the literary skill to carry that passion onto the page. Th e result is a vivid, bracing and sometimes poignant story of unfolding synergy between a psychologists life and his work.

Robert Wright, author ofWhy Buddhism is True

For half a century Martin Seligman has enlightened and inspired students of the human mind with his arresting findings and his visionary insights. He has been unafraid to plumb the dark recesses of the psyche, and just as bold in illuminating our better angels. Th is book combines a history of psychology by a man who shaped it, an explanation of powerful ideas about mental life, and a delightfully candid and reflective memoir.

Steven Pinker, Johnstone Professor of Psychology, Harvard University, and the author ofHow the Mind Works andEnlightenment Now

In this revealing memoir, the founder of the Positive Psychology movement recounts the experiences that shaped his workfrom early childhood through his academic studies and research to the present. Martin Seligman has transformed the field of psychology to the benefit of all of us. It is fascinating to read the story of how he did that.

Andrew Weil, MD, author ofSpontaneous HappinessandEight Weeks to Optimum Health

One of our most important psychologists alive takes us on a surprising personal journeythrough his own highs and lows, twist and turns, overcoming tremendous obstacles to discover some of the most groundbreaking and iconic concepts in psychology. For a time his concept of learned helplessness dominated the field as we looked to undo the past and now has us looking forward with positive psychology to grow our resilience, gratitude and hope. If you have an interest in the human condition, you will love this book.

John Ratey, author ofSparkandDriven to Distraction

Th is warm, lively, beautifully written book tells the stories behind some of the grand ideas and developments that have reshaped psychologyas well as the struggles, missteps, conflicts, and misunderstandings that nearly derailed them. Th rough it all emerges the authors infectious excitement about exploring the human mind and his roaming quest for how to make life better for the mass of humanity.

Roy F. Baumeister, author of Willpower:Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength

With a mix of humility and insight, Marty Seligman walks us through the full arc of his life, offering his theories on tectonic shifts in both himself and the field of psychology. In The Hope Circuit , Marty uncovers a view of human nature that is as surprising as it is inspiring. Dive in for a fascinating disciplinary history seen through the eyes of one of the most influential psychologists of our time.

Barbara Fredrickson, author ofPositivityandLove 2.0

Th is inspiring and rewarding well-documented record of a lifetime is a beautifully written page-turner. In addition, The Hope Circuit is the saga of how American psychology came of age.

George E. Vaillant, MD, author ofTriumphs of Experience

Martin Seligman provides a riveting autobiography about his discovery of learned helplessness and positive psychology with The Hope Circuit . Interwoven within the carefully scripted storytelling, Seligman takes the reader in a journey of self and intellectual discovery that explains why he is one of intellectual icons of our times. Woven throughout is a story of discovery, resilience, passion, and drive to not only understand self but to understand and remedy the maladies of life. Th e 2017 recipient of the prestigious American Psychological Associations Lifetime Achievement Award employs a unique, simultaneous combination of both fast reading and soul-scratching to deliver a timely and critical message of hope.

Antonio Puente, President of the American Psychological Association

The Hope Circuit is riveting. It turns out that one of the greatest psychologists of all time is also one of our greatest storytellers. Offering an unparalleled glimpse into a particular time and place and history of science, Marty Seligmans book will entertain you, fascinate you, disabuse you, and move you. Along with Marty, you will laugh, grieve, and rage and, alighting on the last page, insist on a sequel.

Sonja Lyubomirsky, Ph. D., professor of psychology at the University of California, Riverside, and author ofThe How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want

Martin Seligman has written a fascinating and intimate portrait of both his own life and the discipline of psychology. A deeply gifted scholar, practitioner and communicator, he reminds us that positive psychology has profound implications for the way we live and workand for public policy. Th rough his unique insights, relentless work ethic and infectious enthusiasm, Marty has helped many children and adults around the worldand especially in Australialive more engaged, happy and meaningful lives. For that we should be most grateful.

The Honorable Kevin Rudd, 26th Prime Minister of Australia

Martin Seligman is simply the most important and influential psychologist of the last 30 years. Th is stunning memoir will tell you why, and reading it will change your life for the better.

Sir Anthony Seldon, vice-chancellor of the University of Buckingham

Th is valuable memoir reveals how an influential new approach in psychology is intertwined with the life story of its leader.

Howard Gardner, Hobbs Professor of Cognition and Education at Harvard University and author ofMultiple Intelligences

Th e positive psychology movement is a beacon of hope in our contemporary culture. Its founder, Martin Seligman, is one of todays most influential psychologists. In this book, he tells his remarkable journeyfrom studying failure to promoting human flourishing. It is a fascinating story.