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Exuberance: The Passion For Life Audiobook
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(3.04) - 407 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
We have learned much about depression, but what about its opposite? Why hasn't the human emotion that lifts us, inspires us, drives us on, and makes life worth living been discussed-and celebrated? In this outstanding book, bestselling author Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison explores exuberance in all its unrestrained, joyful energy, and shows how its unique vitality is essential to our existence. Jamison points to the contagiousness of laughter, excitement, and positive feelings, and how it plays a role in choosing a mate, in the giddiness of new love, music, and religious ecstasy. She also discusses our dangerous desire to simulate exuberance by using drugs or alcohol. Most of all, Jamison points to some of our most famous artists and scientists to show how they all share an exuberance for life that inspires their discoveries, drives, and the force to persevere even when it seems the odds are against them.
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"An excellent study of the value, virtue, and potential viciousness of exuberance in the human condition. The analysis of historical events, works of art, scientific breakthroughs, and the people behind them gives a special authenticity and weight to the subject matter."
— Alex (5 out of 5 stars)
Exuberance Listener Reviews
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" Had to struggle to get through it. Just never captured my interest. Was that because my psychiatrist recommended it to me? I guess he thought I needed more passion in my life. But this book didn't do it. "
— Larry, 2/12/2014 -
" too much negativity with mental illness. she was trying to talk about the positive part of mental illness but it was so scientific. it still seemed negative even when she talked about the positive parts of mania. "
— Kelly, 2/11/2014 -
" What a breath of fresh and exhilerating air to read of a discussion and study of a positive psychological trait. The only problem is it gets a little too scholarly and wordy in places but very worthwhile especially where my heros like Teddy Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln are discussed. "
— Calvin, 1/23/2014 -
" An interesting, but horribly frustrating, conversational exploration of the nature of exuberance. Worth reading if only for the collection of thoughts on the subject by people who are not Kay Redfield Jamison. "
— Kit, 1/21/2014 -
" Excellent study of the rewards and challenges that having an exuberant personality can bring to your life. "
— Heather, 1/20/2014 -
" I've read a lot of books by Jamison, and she is quite an intelligent woman. I think this is my favorite one by her because it's uplifting. "
— M., 1/6/2014 -
" cool exploration of the emotion and concept of Exuberance, enthusiasm, passion... "
— Jessica, 12/30/2013 -
" Kay Jamison is a psychiatrist who has published a great deal , much of it on manic depression or bipolar disorder, which she struggles with herself. She is a wonderful advocate for mental illness. This book tells of the upside, the creativity and contributions of the controlled manic, or hypothymic. "
— Joan, 11/20/2013 -
" She had some interesting stories about famous "exuberant" people, some very disturbing stories about exuberant soldiers, and fascinating facts about how it shows up in the brain. I wished she had more about how to encourage/control what she called exuberance. "
— Deb, 11/12/2013 -
" I think every human being has passion for doing something that he really likes. Find that and your life will turn upside down- in a good way of course. "
— Gregor, 9/13/2013 -
" After reading An Unquiet Mind, Exuberance was a no-brainer to pick up. Glad I did. "
— Dr., 2/19/2012 -
" It's hard to explain my deep feelings about this book. I've read it twice now. Once about four years ago and again just recently (2013) I find both comfort and discomfort in how it so accurately describes my crazy mixed up brain. "
— Dave, 1/27/2012 -
" I consider this a profoundly rich book! Very substantive and thorough! Very easy to read and informative about the bright side of psychology! "
— Morris, 12/10/2011 -
" I listened to this as an audiobook from the library, but may have to buy a copy of this just to mark up, highlight, and underline. There are more fantastic quotes in this book than i could have imagined. Actually will end up buying it because its really that good. "
— Gloriavirtutisumbra, 10/4/2011 -
" ...but still, if the subject fascinates you, there is enough here that make it worth a read "
— Denis, 6/27/2011 -
" Not as good as "An Unquiet Mind" "
— Fatima, 6/9/2011 -
" Having a hard time getting through it for some reason. I am not sure if it is me or the topic or her writing style. Will keep at it... "
— Diana, 6/3/2011 -
" Amazing reminder to add play to the schedule and how much better life is for those that do. "
— Angela, 3/28/2011 -
" After reading An Unquiet Mind, Exuberance was a no-brainer to pick up. Glad I did. "
— Dr., 2/27/2011 -
" I listened to this as an audiobook from the library, but may have to buy a copy of this just to mark up, highlight, and underline. There are more fantastic quotes in this book than i could have imagined. Actually will end up buying it because its really that good. "
— Gloriavirtutisumbra, 10/29/2009 -
" cool exploration of the emotion and concept of Exuberance, enthusiasm, passion... "
— Jessica, 5/15/2009 -
" Insightful. <br/>One of my favorite quotes, speaking about a well known exuberant <br/>individual, "Life for Theodore Roosevelt, said one friend, was the "unpacking of endless Christmas stockings." "
— Pattie, 5/1/2009 -
" What a breath of fresh and exhilerating air to read of a discussion and study of a positive psychological trait. The only problem is it gets a little too scholarly and wordy in places but very worthwhile especially where my heros like Teddy Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln are discussed. "
— Calvin, 1/28/2009
About Kay Redfield Jamison
Kay Redfield Jamison is the Dalio Family Professor in Mood Disorders and a professor of psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, as well as an honorary professor of English at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. She is the author of the national best sellers An Unquiet Mind, Night Falls Fast, and Touched with Fire and is coauthor of the standard medical text on manic-depressive illness, Manic-Depressive Illness: Bipolar Disorders and Recurrent Depression. Besides being a finalist for the 2018 Pulitzer Prize in Biography for Robert Lowell, Setting the River on Fire, she is a recipient of the Lewis Thomas Prize, the Rhoda and Barnard Sarnat International Prize in Mental Health from the National Academy of Medicine, and a John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Fellowship.
About Bernadette Dunne
Bernadette Dunne is the winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards and has twice been nominated for the prestigious Audie Award. She studied at the Royal National Theatre in London and the Studio Theater in Washington, DC, and has appeared at the Kennedy Center and off Broadway.