The Power of Resilience: Achieving Balance, Confidence, and Personal Strength in Your Life

by Robert B. Brooks, Sam Goldstein

"Continuing their pioneering work on resilience, they now show how and why it is never too late for adults to find strength and safety in life."
--Edward Hallowell, M.D., author of Driven to Distraction "A uniquely wise guide summarizing a vast amount of research into a practical set of strategies to overcome adversity and live a stress-hardy life."
--Jack Canfield, coauthor of Chicken Soup for the Soul

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Self Help

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1955

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author named "Robert Brooks" on goodreads.

Reviews

[Paula]

There is much about this book that is rehashed. If you've read books on Attribution Theory and Reframing, then you've heard it all before. The section in which he defines Attribution Theory was particularly disappointing. There is so much more to the theory than the author credits. The author briefly introduces Learned Helplessness, but then I've always considered that the weakest point of Attribution Theory. The greater part of the theory, such as the effects of Cognitive Dissonance, is not covered, nor is the difference between the cultures of the East and West which is worth considering given the slant of the book.

The author does one thing that I find admirable, he makes people consider their own culpability in their failures of communication. We can all learn to be more empathetic, more aware of our own role in perpetuating arguments, more willing to try a more sympathetic approach. If the effects of the book are to bring peace to one family, or help one manager be more courteous to his or her employees, then the book was worth publishing.

[William Schram]

With anecdotes and practical advice, this book does a good job at what it offers. It also contains a section for you to write in it and make it your own, but since I got this book from the Library I did not think it proper to do so.

The book has a pretty typical presentation. It splits the ideas to make you more resilient into different chapters and gives explanations on how to achieve your goals.

While it wasn't particularly phenomenal or outstanding I assume that following the advice in the book would help almost anyone out in their lives.

[Steven Myers]

The many anecdotes of patient case studies show how the principles of resilience have a large impact on a person's outlook and engagement with life, be they a sufferer of circumstances either extraordinary or just ordinary. The text breaks down the constituent personality traits of resilient people in attempt to indicate those areas that might need help for the cultivating of a more constructive attitude towards the events and relations we encounter.

[John]

2.5 Stars. This is basically a reminder (which can be good) to work on re-framing and attribution theory. It's got a fair amount of anecdotal lessons associated with it, and an emphasis to work on empathy.

Basically, stuff that may have been "cutting edge" in the 90s but now disseminated into pop psychology and the general population.

[KitCat]

I admit that by the fourth chapter I was annoyed with the voice of the book. They started to sound pompous.

However, the anecdotes shared in this book were great. Each story helped to make the chapter’s point in a relatable, interesting manner.

The questions provided so that the reader could analyze themselves were interesting.

[Carnell Griffin]

Motivation

During times of negativity this has helped to stay focused on long term goes and strive for true happiness and balance. If you looking for guidance on how to move forward in life and experience more satisfaction, it is here

[Macs Mahlangu]

Great Read, interesting perspective emotional intelligence and human interaction in business.

[Monique]

islands of competencies, flexibility, satisfaction (rejoice- take responsibility for your actions)

[Nancy]

I recently saw Robert Brooks speak at a local school. I enjoyed him there (which is why I bought the book), and I enjoyed what he had to say in this book as well. In his view, resilience pretty much boils down to the ability to be empathic, re-writing negative scripts, and having a positive mindset. Most of what he suggests seems like obvious common sense, but it surprising how often we forget to use it. Nothing earth-shattering here, but a nice simple reminder of how best to treat yourself and others.

[Christina]

A self-help book that is a cut above the rest. This book divides "resilience" into several different qualities that resilient people have and then offers suggestions on how to cultivate these qualities. I found the chapters on handling stress, avoiding perfectionistic thinking, and maintaining self-control particularly helpful. The many anecdotes from the authors' joint therapy practice make the book an engaging read.

[Anna S]

Interesting review of research on differences between people who are more and less resilient. However he does not provide any practical or achievable way to change other than suggesting to act like the more resilient people. I wish the book instead discussed the research on effective strategies that result in people being more resilient. I suspect, just telling people to be so does not work very well.

[Karlene Olesuk]

I'm reading less and less self-help books these days, but I'm about half-way through this book....at least I think it's the title, since there are a few resilience books out there. I like the "resilience score" they make you do for yourself and explaining their method as well as some common sense tips.

[Loretta Estrada]

I'm anticipating reading this book once I've finished my current reads. It's waiting for me on my nightstand. I heard Robert Brooks speak at a conference spring 2009. He was an accessible, intelligent speaker. His book will hopefully be the same.

[Morgan]

I went to see Dr. Brooks talk about how to raise resilient children at the Children's Museum (for work). Great speaker! But I've never gotten past the first chapter of a self-help book and this one was no different.

[Rebekah]

I've been working through this one on and off for almost a year, reading when I didn't feel as strong as I wanted to be. The result? I've decided that through all the events and constant changes in my life, I'm actually more resilient than I thought. I just need little reminders once in a while.

[Rhenz]

This book will help me in improving my personality.

[Pennyb4437]

Good information about building your own and other's resilience.

[Ylva]

recommended by lecturer

[Martin Goldberg]

Just OK. Could have been so much better. "Succeeding When Your Supposed To Fail" by Rom Brafman is a similar book and WAY better.

[Ashley]

Book club pick March 2014

[Kac]

回復力を育てる実用的な方法で心の平和を探求する旅の大助けとなる。

[Lucretia Cioata]

We all must endure setbacks and impasses in our lives!

[Perrin McCormick]

From Chris Brogan's Three Book Diet