The Transformative Self

"This is a breathtaking and courageous book--perhaps the most original work in personality psychology in the 21st century. Building on developmental psychology, philosophy, and literature, it explores an enduring dimension of human nature--the search for growth in the pursuit of both happiness and wisdom. Not since Maslow has a psychologist so effectively portrayed the inner lives of individuals who organize their life stories around the search for self-understanding. Simultaneously scientifically rigorous and deeply felt, this magnum opus is invaluable to any reader interested in how we strive for and make meaning in our lives." -- Jefferson Singer, Dean of the College and Faulk Foundation Professor of Psychology, Connecticut College "Jack Bauer's conception of human lives is both scholarly and deeply humane. His central subject is growth--the manifold ways human beings can grow good lives and create good life stories that affirm the growth of happiness, love, and wisdom. Drawing deftly from philosophy, literary studies, history, and cutting-edge psychological research, Bauer builds a generous and thought--provoking theory, articulating a vision that grows in intricacy and beauty, step-by-step, chapter-by-chapter, over the life course of this extraordinarily insightful book." -- Dan P. McAdams, Henry Wade Rogers Professor of Psychology, Northwestern University "Jack Bauer's magisterial book of a life-time addresses the probing and ever-timely question of what constitutes a good life. Injecting a glimmer of optimism into today's troubled and uncertain times, Bauer argues that we all have the capacity to craft a narrative of personal growth that unlocks the door to happiness and wisdom." -- Paul Wink, Nellie Zuckerman Cohen and Anne Cohen Heller Professor in Health Sciences, Wellesley College