100,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฟ

๐Ÿ‰ ๐Ÿ”ฅ Happy Threshing Day! Pre-order the Deluxe Edition of Rebecca Yarros' newest release today! ๐Ÿ”ฅ ๐Ÿ‰

Authentic Happiness

3.92 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating.
( 12,486 ratings, 560 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Authentic Happiness by Martin Seligman explores the science of positive psychology, offering strategies to boost well-being and satisfaction. The book delves into the positive aspects of human life, such as strengths, virtues, and talents, providing practical tools to cultivate lasting happiness.
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$3100
Elsewhere:
$3299
OVERNIGHT NZ-WIDE DELIVERY

Found a better price? Request a price match

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're interested in understanding the science behind happiness and how to apply positive psychology principles to improve your well-being and life satisfaction.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Authentic Happiness examines the mechanisms by which mentally healthy people become happy, and how happy people become very happy. The life-changing lesson of Authentic Happiness is that, by assessing the very best in ourselves, we can improve the world around us and achieve new and lasting levels of genuine contentment and joy.

From the author of the international bestseller, Learned Optimism, comes a ground-breaking look at the nature of happiness and how everyone has the power to inject real joy into their lives.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Authentic Happiness by Martin Seligman delves into the depths of positive psychology, exploring the roots of genuine happiness and well-being. The book offers an illuminating journey through the mechanisms that enable mentally healthy individuals to attain happiness, and how those who are already happy can elevate their well-being to even greater heights.

For the first time, a scientist shifts the focus from just treating mental illness to understanding and cultivating 'mental wellness'. Seligman's groundbreaking approach is not about fixing what's wrong, but rather about leveraging one's innate strengths and virtues to foster what he terms 'authentic happiness'.

Seligman expertly combines scientific research with practical advice to guide readers towards realising their full potential. Through various exercises and assessments, he helps individuals identify and nurture the best in themselves, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and joyful existence. The insights provided in Authentic Happiness show that by recognising and enhancing our best qualities, we can create positive changes not only within ourselves but also in our communities and beyond.

The life-changing lesson at the heart of Authentic Happiness is that true contentment comes from within. By embracing our strengths and actively working on them, we can achieve lasting satisfaction and joy. Readers will find themselves inspired to make meaningful improvements in their lives, fostering a sense of genuine happiness that endures.

This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the science of happiness, self-improvement, or personal growth. Whether you are looking to improve your own life or seeking ways to enhance the well-being of those around you, Authentic Happiness offers an invaluable resource full of practical wisdom and insightful knowledge.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Authentic Happiness by Martin Seligman is widely acclaimed for its insightful exploration of positive psychology. Readers appreciate its actionable advice and scientific approach to improving well-being. Many reviews praise the book for being both engaging and practical, offering valuable strategies for a more fulfilling life.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781864713022

Publisher: Random House Australia

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 02 May 2011

Country: Australia

Imprint: William Heinemann Australia

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 22.0mm

Width: 135.0mm

Height: 208.0mm

Weight: 302g

Pages: 336

About the Author

Martin E.P. Seligman, Ph.D., professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania and a past president of the American Psychological Association, is a leading motivational expert and an authority on learned helplessness. His many books include Authentic Happiness and The Optimistic Child. Dr. Seligman's research has been supported by the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute on Aging, the National Science Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, and the Guggenheim Foundation.

Also by Martin Seligman

View all
  • The Optimistic Child
    In The Optimistic Child, Dr. Martin Seligman, a pioneering figure in the field of positive psychology, presents a comprehensive and well-validated programme aimed at preventing depression in children. Based on over three decades of research, Seligman and his colleagues have uncovered the profound connection between pessimismโ€”which often involves dwelling on the most catastrophic interpretation of any setbackโ€”and the onset of...
    Paperback
    $2300
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Learned Optimism
    Learned Optimism shows us how to stop automatically assuming guilt, how to get out of the habit of seeing the direst possible implications in every setback, and how to be optimistic. With concrete examples, Dr Seligman documents the effects of optimism on the quality of life. He provides tests to determine the degree of our negative and positive orientation and...
    Paperback
    $3000
    Elsewhere:
    $3299
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Flourish
    Flourish - A new understanding of Life's Greatest Goals - and what it takes to reach them. In this groundbreaking book, one of the world's foremost academic psychologists and founder of the Positive Psychology movement offers a new theory on what makes people flourish and how to truly get the most out of life. Eight years have passed since the...
    Paperback
    $2600
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Hope Circuit
    One of the most important psychologists alive today tells the story of the transformation of modern psychology through the lens of his own career and change of heart. Martin E. P. Seligman is one of the most decorated and popular psychologists of his generation. When he first encountered the discipline in the 1960s, it was devoted to eliminating miseryโ€”the science...
    Paperback
    $3600
    Elsewhere:
    $4000
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • TomorrowMind
    A future-proof guide to rehumanising the workplace to bring about greater personal success and corporate productivity, from two global authorities in workplace mental health. In recent years, workplace toxicity, industry volatility, employee isolation, and technology-driven change have threatened the psychological well-being of employees. The rise of quiet quitting has shown that when we can't flourish at work, both personal success...
    Paperback
    $3999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Agency
    Pre-order
    Agency
    Drawing on six decades of pioneering research and a sweeping reexamination of the last 2500 yearsโ€”from Periclean Athens and the Hebrew Torah to the Renaissance, the Enlightenment and the Civil Rights Movementโ€”Martin Seligman shows how rises and falls in agency have steered the course of history. Agency is the big idea for our times: when individuals have confidence, optimism and...
    Paperback
    $3999
    Pre-order
    Out 8 Sep 2026

More from Self-Help & Personal Development

View all
  • Signed Copy
    New Release
    "What Were You Thinking!?"
    Everything parents need to know about their baby, child or teen's developing brain to raise resilient, emotional intelligent kids, by globally renowned neuroscience educator Nathan Wallis. 'What were you thinking!?'If you've ever asked this in despair while watching a toddler melt down, a tween push boundaries or a teenager make a truly terrible decision, this book is for you.Inย "What Were...
    Paperback
    $3299
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Let Them Theory
    New York Times Bestselling Author. Millions of books sold worldwide! A Life-Changing Tool Millions of People Can't Stop Talking About What if the key to happiness, success, and love was as simple as two words? If you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or frustrated with where you are, the problem isn't you. The problem is the power you give to other...
    Paperback
    $2599
    Elsewhere:
    $3200
    (8)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Eat Your Ice Cream
    New Release
    Eat Your Ice Cream
    The New York Times bestseller that presents a bold new vision for living well and ageing with purpose from a world-renowned health expert THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER From a leading doctor and world-renowned health expert, the simple, uplifting and practical guide to cutting through the wellness noise, living well and ageing with purpose. โ€˜Essential reading for anyone who...
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $4000
    (2)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    The Winner's Formula
    The Neuroscience of Peak Performance, Success, and Happiness Why do some people win all the time? Why do others languish? From Olympians to Formula 1 drivers, addicts to billionaires, cognitive neuroscientist Dr Kerry Spackman has spent decades working to help people understand how to succeed. In The Winner's Formula, Kerry explains what goes on in your brain when you are...
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Choose Your Hard
    Every path in life is hard. Being unfit and unhealthy is hard. Choosing to exercise, eat well, face discomfort, and do the difficult things is also hard. The question is: which hard do you choose? In Choose Your Hard, Professor Grant Schofield, one of New Zealandโ€™s most cited health scientists with over 18,000 citations in the scientific literature, argues that...
    Paperback
    $3300
    Elsewhere:
    $3500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Atomic Habits Daily Calendar
    New Release
    The Atomic Habits Daily Calendar
    Powerful ideas for each day of the year from the author of the #1 worldwide bestseller, Atomic Habits. Based on the principles that made Atomic Habits a global phenomenon, this daily calendar turns habit formation into a simple daily practice. Get actionable guidance, motivational insights, and system-building tools that make it easier to get a little bit betterโ€”every day of...
    Calendar
    $3699
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The DOSE Effect
    The DOSE Effect offers small habits to boost your brain chemistry. "This book will help you find more motivation, create deeper connections, energise your body, and destress your mind," says Jay Shetty, author of Think Like a Monk. Life can feel overwhelming, but it doesnโ€™t have to be. Todayโ€™s fast-paced world leaves many of us struggling with extreme emotional highs...
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    (2)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    Now What?
    There are countless self-help books telling you how to get the life you wantโ€”how to find your purpose, make your plan, follow your goals. Yet, too many of us are frozen in life, unfulfilled and stuck with what we have. Too often, we only see our future through a lens of the pastโ€”our past beliefs, experiences, and circumstances. We desire...
    Paperback
    $3299
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • We Can Do Hard Things
    We Can Do Hard Things is a powerful and inspiring guide co-authored by renowned voices Abby Wambach, Glennon Doyle, and Amanda Doyle. This compelling book offers insights and encouragement to help readers tackle life's toughest challenges. By combining personal stories with practical advice, the authors empower you to embrace resilience and courage. Their collective wisdom sheds light on the strength...
    Paperback
    $3200
    Elsewhere:
    $4000
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Atua Wahine
    Ancient wisdom of the Mฤori goddesses to help you navigate the modern world Atua Wahine are the Mฤori goddesses who make up the world around us: earth, fire, water, the moon, and more. From the earth mother, Papatuanuku, who sustains and nurtures us, to the goddess of peace, Hineputehue, who transformed pain into beauty, and the misunderstood goddess of the...
    Hardback
    $3000
    Elsewhere:
    $3699
    (3)
    Backorder
    Ships mid August
  • The Myth of Normal
    A book that changes everything - from the legendary Dr Gabor Matรฉ THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER OVER ONE MILLION COPIES SOLD We tend to believe that normality equals health. Yet what is the norm in the Western world? Mental illness and chronic disease are on an unstoppable rise. How did we get here? And what lies ahead for us?...
    Paperback
    $2400
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Anxious Generation
    A powerful argument for reclaiming childhoodโ€”and all human relationshipsโ€”from the online world, from the influential social psychologist and international bestselling author. Jonathan Haidt has spent his career speaking truth and wisdom in some of the most difficult spacesโ€”communities polarised by politics and religion, campuses battling culture wars, and now the mental health emergency hitting teenagers today in many countries around...
    Paperback
    $2299
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    In Stock
    Ships today

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 80,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.