When it comes to bad news, we’ve never had it so good. ‘Continuing conflict in the Middle East . . . genocide in Africa . . . natural disasters in the Far East . . . earthquakes in England . . . price of oil at a record high . . . Arctic ice at a record low . . . government legislation curbing personal freedoms . . . financial markets in meltdown . . . ’ [ARE WE READY? Headline in the Independent, October 2005] Today we face a greater range of potential disasters than ever before Laurence Shorter is feeling anxious. Every time he turns on the radio or opens a newspaper he finds another reason to be tearful. It’s time to make a change. THE OPTIMIST charts Laurence’s quest for inner happiness. Can Desmond Tutu bring a smile to Laurence’s face? Will he ride out the tide of pessimism with California’s famous Surfing Rabbi? Or will it fall to the ultimate icon of optimism, Bill Clinton, to show Laurence the brighter side of life? THE OPTIMIST is a hilarious and life-affirming stand against the grind of everyday strife.
The Optimist: One Man's Search for the Brighter Side of Life
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'A delightfully quirky journey of self-discovery that will make your spirits soar, and possibly lead you to enlightenment. Possibly.' Mick Brown
Book Description
A hilarious antidote to the January Blues.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Who needs anti-depressants, happy endings or chocolate pudding when you can wallow in a book like this? It's very hard to package what is basically a historical review of the philosophy of happiness into something you can read on the loo, tube and plane. Shorter takes us on a journey around the world -- from New York to India, South Africa to London -- and asks the question we all wrestle with -- how can we be perpetually happy? -- in a subtle and engaging way. And he gives us answers, without ever resorting to Oprah-esque platitudes or the empty sillinesses of the self-help brigade. His self-deprecating wit throws Toby Young into shadows of mediocrity; his taut and elegant prose augurs well for future books; and his empathy and humanity are inspirational. Suck it up, cynics! Here is the New British Dream in its multi-coloured, fragile glory!
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
What do we most need at a time of near universal gloom and feeble-minded pessimism? A shot of optimism, that's what. It's one of Laurence Shorter's triumphs to provide this welcome boost, to remind us of what we already have rather than what we think we need and put a smile on our faces while he's at it. Insightful, highly amusing and a wonderful read. Memorable encounters with some of our planet's most optimistic minds make this a lively and informative romp across a subject that has exercised homo sapiens from the earliest times. Bravo!
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I was won over by the accessbility of the writing and the endearing way in which the narrator contrasts the 'big' ideas with the challenges he faces in his own everyday existence. Laurence Shorter writes with assurance but is unafraid to to lay himself bare. I found by the end of reading the book it had managed to awake some pretty dormant positive attitudes and my outlook had noticeably brightened - a result that is surely worth a few quid of anyone's money?
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3.3 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
The optomist!
Good book, interesting story with a good healthy dose of humor, made me laugh often and the characters where fun too!
Published 19 months ago by Kenny
2.0 out of 5 stars
disappointing, self-absorbed read
At first I couldn't understand why there were so many copies of this book on Amazon going for £0.01. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Vanessa
1.0 out of 5 stars
Not a ray of sunshine
The premise of 'The Optimist' is quite good - Laurence Shorter wakes up to the idea that the world is drowning in pessimism and goes on a journey to find famous optimists and... Read more
Published on 26 Oct 2010 by E. Cooper
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Read !!! I couldn't put it down
Laurence Shorter's ¨ The Optimist ¨ is a great read, one of those that I could not put down. The writing is funny and thought provoking at the same time. Read more
Published on 11 Sep 2010 by B. Consulting
2.0 out of 5 stars
A personal journey of self discovery
One man's very personal search for meaning and optimism in the face of constant bad news in the media, and too many pessimistic friends and family. Read more
Published on 5 May 2010 by John Holland
1.0 out of 5 stars
self-regarding time wasting
Although, in the course of writing this book, Mr. Shorter has - often by lying about, or at best misrepresenting, his motives and credentials - gained access to and interviewed an... Read more
Published on 22 Feb 2010 by Alexa
1.0 out of 5 stars
An exercise in missed opportunities
I really wanted to like this book. It sounds so interesting: interviews with leading world figures on their positive approach to life. Read more
Published on 24 Oct 2009 by Lute&Guitar
5.0 out of 5 stars
give the guy a break
I can't believe that some readers have rated this book as 1 star! I think this is exactly what Lawrence is talking about in his book. Read more
Published on 15 Mar 2009 by Andy Cope
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great book for making you think...
I bought this after hearing that it was hilarious and informative. It is very well-written, but I didnt laugh out loud much unfortunately! Read more
Published on 2 Mar 2009 by Ms. C. Mackay
1.0 out of 5 stars
A sad wast of good trees - this book is absoloutely awful!
This is a sad attempt to write a funny book about the writers love life and the opinions of world famous figures renowned for their positive approach to life. Read more
Published on 2 Mar 2009 by Bill Clinton
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