This book was recommended by one of the students of a course I teach on Positive Psychology. I hadnt read it, so took a gamble (despite a couple of negative reviews on amazon) and took it on holiday
It's one of the most inspiring books I've read for ages. It really does hammer home what an exciting field this is, and also how east and west can enlighten each other. I can only assume that those readers who wrote negative reviews were expecting a very simple recipe-book.
The book is a detailed and very interesting account of a 4 day seminar featuring Buddhists and western scientists and philosophers. It really was a "think-together" exercise. They didnt always agree, but all learnt from the experience - as we do. Goleman is his lucid and very positive usual self, and we are introduced to many experts on the subject of emotions.
The book begins with two chapters putting the rest into context. The first gives fascinating evidence that meditation actually changes one's brain structure in a very positive way (so learning about buddhist practice may be very helpful even if you dont want to be a Buddhist). The second chapter emphasises the Dalai Lama's lifelong interest in science (so he is a man to take seriously).
The book concludes with a postscript and suggestions for further reading.
If you are at all interested in destructive or negative emotions (especially anger), or in Buddhism, or in neuroscience - then this book is a must.