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Smile Or Die

How Positive Thinking Fooled America and the World
By Barbara Ehrenreich
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Check link for latest rating. ( 10,338 ratings, 1,614 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
In Smile Or Die, Barbara Ehrenreich critically examines the pervasive culture of positive thinking, questioning its role in society and impact on mental health. She argues that an insistence on optimism can sometimes overshadow reality, leading individuals to overlook genuine problems and challenges. Through her analysis, Ehrenreich invites readers to explore the balance between staying hopeful and acknowledging real-world difficulties.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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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?

If you're intrigued by a critical and thought-provoking examination of the culture of positive thinking, this book may appeal to you. It offers a sharp analysis of how relentless optimism can sometimes ignore reality and adversely impact personal and societal well-being.

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Smile Or Die

A brilliant, savagely funny attack on the cult of positive thinking - Ehrenreich's most compelling book since Nickel and Dimed.

A brilliant, savagely funny attack on the cult of positive thinking - Ehrenreich's most compelling book since Nickel and Dimed.

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

In this highly original and hugely entertaining account, Barbara Ehrenreich confronts the cult of positive thinking in America.

She examines the impact of positive thinking on religion, medicine, academia, and the business community, and exposes the psychological effects of a world which tells us to 'put on a happy face'. From the pink ribbons and platitudes that surround breast cancer sufferers to the blind optimism that led to the recent economic disaster, Ehrenreich pokes holes in conventional wisdom and faux science, and ends with a rallying cry for clarity and courage.

Smile or Die challenges readers to rethink the pervading social norms and consider the benefits of realism and critical thinking over blind positivity.

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?

Smile Or Die by Barbara Ehrenreich is critically acclaimed for its thought-provoking exploration of the pitfalls of positive thinking. Reviews often praise Ehrenreich's blend of personal anecdotes, scientific analysis, and cultural critique, noting her skilful debunking of the notion that optimism alone can solve life’s challenges. Critics appreciate her sharp wit and articulate arguments, calling the book a powerful reminder of the need for realism amidst pervasive positivity.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781783787531

Publisher: Granta Books

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 04 March 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Granta Books

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 15.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 183g

Pages: 256

Collections

Barbara Ehrenreich Education & Reference Non-Fiction Self-Help & Personal Development

About the Author

Barbara Ehrenreich is the author of fifteen books, including the bestselling Smile or Die and Nickel and Dimed. She has written for Time, Harper's, the New York Times Magazine and various British newspapers including The Times and the Guardian. She lives in Virginia, USA.

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