Friday, November 10, 2023

Book Review: Past Forward


When an old song makes you want to dance like you did in high school, or you long for the comforting taste of your mom’s cooking, that’s more than just memory—it’s nostalgia. But is nostalgia all about “living in the past” to hide from reality? In Past Forward, psychologist Clay Routledge presents a fascinating investigation into an emotion we all experience yet often misunderstand, revealing nostalgia’s extraordinary potential to enrich our present—and our future.

Dr. Routledge has been at the forefront of a new wave of research that has established a fresh, evidence-based view of nostalgia—not as a psychological weakness, but as a complex and valuable resource for our well-being. Here he presents a treasury of informed insights and science-based practices to help you turn nostalgia into a powerful ally.

Past Forward will be published on December 5, 2023. Sounds True Publishing provided an early galley for review.

Nostalgia has always been a part of my life as far back as I can remember. And as I get older, it becomes a comfortable, warm blanket that I turn to more often. Therefore, the subject matter of this book very much spoke to me.

Routledge has spent considerable time studying this field, and his presentation of the findings comes across in a highly professional/academic manner that is still approachable. I especially appreciated his use of summary notes at the end of each chapter that give a bulletized recap.

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