Detailing the emerging science of "positive psychology," which seeks to understand what causes a person's sense of well-being, Easterbrook offers an alternative to our culture of crisis and complaint. He makes a compelling case that optimism, gratitude, and acts of forgiveness not only make modern life more fulfilling but are actually in our self-interest. An affirming and constructive way of seeing life anew, The Progress Paradox will change the way you think about your place in the world-and about our collective ability to make it better.
"Lively . . . combines a vast amount of scholarly research and reporting to generate a thoughtful, sustained argument."
-BusinessWeek
"Utterly engaging . . . There are surprises all through it, and some startling refutations of conventional wisdoms."
-Baltimore Sun
"With the lively wit and contrarian insight that is a regular feature of his articles in The New Republic . . . Mr. Easterbrook offers a bracing reminder of what is too often forgotten but difficult to deny: In the West in the past fifty years, life has gotten steadily better."
-The Wall Street Journal
"Excellent."
-The Economist
Fascinating. . . may well be this fall's version of The Tipping Point."
-Seattle Post-Intelligencer