The Other Side of Sadness - 9780465021901

"The Other Side of Sadness is a game changer. Bonanno carefully assembles scientific evidence to show that most of what we thought we knew is just plain wrong. If you want to know the truth about the human experience of loss, there's only one book on the shelf."---Daniel Gilbert, Professor of Psychology, Harvard University, and author of Stumbling on Happiness

The conventional view of grieving, encapsulated by the famous five stages, is defined by a mourning process that we can only hope to accept and endure. In the Other Side of Sadness, psychologist and emotions expert George Bonanno argues otherwise: All of us share a surprising ability to be resilient, and to expect or require grief-stricken behavior from the bereaved simply does them harm. In fact, sorrow can actually deepen interpersonal connections and even lead to a new sense of meaning in life.

For survivors, The Other Side of Sadness is a must-read and a refreshingly positive perspective on death and dying. It will be fascinating for anyone interested in our innate ability to thrive in the face of adversity.

"This is a valuable book for Bonanno's application of the scientific method to a field that badly needs it."---New Scientist

"A deep and intelligent book. ... It's heartening to discover that grieving is not `work,' we don't have to be successful at it, and we're stronger than we know."---Double X, on Slate.com

"Brilliant and moving."---Dacher Keltner, Professor of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, and author of Born To Be Good