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

Whether you are a chronic sourpuss or cheerful optimist, Bright-sided will appeal to you. Author Barbara Ehrenreich’s premise is that positivity often leads to harmful outcomes. More specifically, it leads to insincere and reckless behavior that undercuts our best efforts to be intelligent thinkers, sensible spenders and compassionate caregivers. She chronicles the beginnings of positive thought in the United States and follows its effect on medicine, academia, religion and business. You do not need to agree with Ehrenreich to benefit from this book, nor do you need extensive experience with the positive thinking movement in the United States to be impacted by her argument. Bright-sided was an excellent choice for our library bookgroup, leading to conversations as far ranging as the topics discussed by the author as well as to lively debates about the benefits and dangers of both optimism and pessimism. An interesting book, to be sure, and an excellent title for discussion.