The Beethoven Factor: The New Positive Psychology of Hardiness, Happiness, Healing, and Hope

By Paul Pearsall

Book Overview

Pearsall identifies the characteristics of individuals he labels "thrivers"--those who face challenges head-on and grow stronger and more vital as a result. Illustrations. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1571743979
• ISBN13: 9781571743978
• Release Date: August 2003
• Publisher: Hampton Roads Publishing
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 1.23 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 1.0" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

A good introduction to the field of Positive Psychology

Pearsall is Hawaiian, and he combines insights from his native culture, his personal experience with extreme challenge, and the wisdom of the emerging field of Positive Psychology. He contends that we can choose and/or learn how to be "thrivers," i.e to move beyond victim or even recovery status, and experience "Stress Induced Growth". We can grow and be transformed through the pain and suffering of our lives. He cites many examples from his interviews, of people who have indeed experienced what an outsider might call horrific experiences-- and shows how their unique perspective (which he assures us is learnable) has let them create a "good life" despite their problems. Pearsall cites more scientific research that substantiates his position, so the reader who wants "hard data" can follow his references.This is a useful and even inspiring contribution to the Positive Psychology literature -- I gave it a "4" because I wearied of Pearsall's frequent references to his own (significant) crisis experiences. IMHO, the point was made without repeating his personal credentials as a thriver every page or two.Is it worth reading? Absolutely.