Book Review Essay

Abstract

T he times they are a'changing," at least in the . social sciences, where calls have recently been made for theoretical and empirical attention to what is best about life. In this essay, I discuss positive social science by using as points of departure three recent books that each exemplifies this approach. Honesty compels me to say that this is not a dispassionate book review. The authors and editors of the books on focus are not strangers to me-they are valued colleagues and close friends, fellow travelers in this new field of positive social science. Indeed, I contributed two chapters to the book edited by Cameron, Dutton, and Quinn, and some of my ongoing research on character strengths is featured in the book written by Seligman. With these entanglements made clear, I start by saying that all of these books are worth owning and more importantly worth reading. If positive social science indeed becomes a viable enterprise, then each