Reviews

Berglas, a management consultant and psychology instructor at UCLA and Harvard, traces burnout among attorneys, doctors, executives and others. For example, he points to Michael Jordan, who left basketball in 1993 because of "Supernova Burnout"; after extraordinary achievements, excessive attention made him fear failure, Berglas theorizes. Other cases of people trapped by success demonstrate burnout variations. Readers without their own professional guidance will wish Berglas discussed more solutions. Agent, Jill Kneerim. (On-sale: May 8) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

If a person works hard and accumulates enormous wealth, should one assume that he or she is happy and successful? Berglas, a clinical psychologist and former columnist for Inc. magazine, says "no" in this examination of success-triggered problems what he calls "Supernova Burnout." U.S. society's glorification of material wealth, he argues, is to blame for the burnout that afflicts highly motivated professionals who no longer find their careers rewarding: "Achieving what you want and realizing that no favorable psychological changes have automatically ensued is far worse than failing to reach a goal." Using clinical case studies of attorneys, corporate executives, athletes, and business managers as well as laboratory research findings, Berglas vividly illustrates the symptoms and offers helpful tips for prevention and treatment. This well-written, well-supported work covers a fascinating topic and will sustain the interest of the reader. Recommended for psychology and business collections in academic and large public libraries. Elizabeth Goeters, Georgia Perimeter Coll., Roswell Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

"Dr. Berglas's book provides invaluable insight into what it takes to achieve the balance necessary to maintain the drive to succeed."
--Larry W. Sonsini, chairman and CEO, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
"I have seen firsthand the kinds of burnout issues and situations Dr. Berglas so eloquently describes in this book. His comprehensive grasp of what causes burnout and, more important, how we can remedy it is first-rate. Reclaiming the Fire is a must-read for anyone feeling the pressure in this fast-paced, go-go world."
--Tom Matthews, vice president, human resources, AOL International
"Reclaiming the Fire demonstrates Dr. Berglas's uncanny understanding of what makes people tick. In it he provides great insight and practical strategies for executives intent upon keeping the flames of career passion roaring."
--Roger S. Berkowitz, president and CEO, Legal Sea Foods, Inc.
"Reclaiming the Fire is a remarkable book. Few people are as gifted as Steve Berglas at getting into the psyche of businesspeople and unveiling it layer by layer so that the rest of us can begin to comprehend how they think and act."
--Jeffrey L. Seglin, author of The Good, the Bad, and Your Business: Choosing Right When Ethical Dilemmas Pull You Apart

"From the Hardcover edition."