Questioning Irrational Exuberance.

Author Barbara Ehrenreich thinks vinegar deserves as much accord in American culture as honey.

Coming in October, her critique of positive psychology--practiced by such corporate charismatics as Jack Welch, Tom Peters and Tony Robbins--is entitled Brightsided: How the Relentess Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America."

Ehrenreich, who holds a PhD in cellular immunology, battled cancer and says it annoyed her to hear that the disease was a "gift." She traces the background of our cultural optimism and argues that negativity has a place.

Cranky or common-sensical? I am curious to find out.