Here’s a concise write-up on , suitable for a book summary, academic introduction, or PDF annotation guide. Write-Up: The Stress of Life by Hans Selye (1956/1978) 1. Overview The Stress of Life is a landmark work by endocrinologist Hans Selye , often called the “father of stress research.” First published in 1956 (revised in 1978), the book introduces and explains Selye’s revolutionary concept of biological stress —not as a vague mental feeling, but as a measurable physiological response to any demand placed on the body.