Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification,   ISBN:9780195167016

Customer Rating: 

I found this to be the most thorough treatment of postive psychology yet considered. However, like the whole field of positive psychology this work leaves both the motivation for practicing such attributes and the explanation for the lack of such practice without adequate explantation. In an age in which almost daily we hear or see in the daily news goverment officials guitly of failing to practice these virtures (those to whom we entrust our resources and who we expect to be model for the next generation), it seems to me that such a scholarly volume as this cannot overlook motivation or lack of practice.

Customer Rating: 

In part from the guru of positive psychology, this excellent resource is accessible to not only the "experts in the field" but those who "work the field" like parents and teachers. The strength of this resource is its incredible scholarship; its virtue is its resurgence and renewal of the classic cardinal and theological virtues. What philosophers and theologians have known for thousands of years, the scientific community is finally realizing as they approach the top of the mountain. So as the old adage goes, as the proud scientist climbs the mountain of knowledge, passing the philosopher, he reaches the top only to find the theologian waiting, who says, what took you so long? I say, better late than never.

If you are at all interested in character education, drop your "values-based" materials and purchase this superior resource. Then go read Plato's Republic or Aquinas' Summa.

Customer Rating: 

This is a solid text book on the character strengths and virtues as seen within the study of positive psychology. It is interesting to take the assessments and then lay the character strengths and virtues out for the person being assessed. Corrolates relatively well with Strengthfinders2 and the Myers Briggs assessments. For those who study personalities, it is an interesting read.

Customer Rating: 

This is a positive psycholgy textbook with a focus on character traits and virtues. It is a great beginning point in uncovering what character is, examples of great character and how to form character as an aspect of your inner self or in helping others to the same outcome. It is alos an end in itself. It has depth and richness in content, it is both comprehensive and sufficiently concise to be useful for both the student of and practitioner of psychology and the person pursuing the virtous expression of their truer nature.

Although I can see how and why psychologists would be greatly enhanced in the roles through its application, I am the latter; a non-psychologist and it is true to say I have found it an axcellent tome in understanding character and virtue and in doing so living a better life.

Customer Rating: 

This book exceeded my expectations. It covered in great detail the concepts of character, strengths, and virtues. Concepts were clearly defined, with extensive background and supporting information. While it is not a necessarily easy read, it is one of the most extensive and exhaustive works that I have come across. It was VERY useful and provided me with more information than I imagined.