Author:Mitch Prinstein,Mitch Prinstein
Random House presents the unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of Popular, written and read by Mitch Prinstein.
Who doesn't want to be more popular? Surely a person's popularity - be it at school, work or socially - is the best predictor of how happy and successful they can be?
The truth is actually much more complex. This impeccably researched and highly entertaining book presents two very distinct types of popularity and shows how only one of them will get us where we want.
Based on 20 years of research and written by popularity expert Mitch Prinstein, Popular investigates the science of what popularity is, why we care about it so much – even if we don’t think we do – what kind of popularity is worth caring about, and if we can still get the popularity we want, even if we didn't have it when we were younger. Prinstein also offers important insights on parenting for popularity, explaining why supporting children in the right way will help them cultivate the right kind of popularity and help shape them positively as adults in the future.
“We have all imprinted emotionally on the vicissitudes of our teenage years. Mitch Prinstein, in this compelling, page-turner, tells us why and also how we can shed the skins of our adolescence. Even better he tells us how our children can achieve meaningful popularity. A science-based Dale Carnegie.”
—— Martin E.P. Seligman, Ph.D. Zellerbach Family Professor of Psychology and the Director of the Positive Psychology Center, University of PennsylvaniaA superb exposition of scientific findings
—— Steven Poole , GuardianIt's a triumph in itself that Chater has written a book about cognition that is as gripping as a thriller. In fact, I would go even further. If you can measure a book by how often you find yourself bringing it up in conversation, then The Mind is Flat is one of the best I've ever read . . .
Brilliant . . . beautifully written . . . you'll be able to bored your relatives rigid with your new theories of cognition over the Christmas turkey
This is a remarkable book. Every other book about the mind will tell you either why we're so dumb, or why we're so smart. Chater offers a single elegant theory to explain both: why our minds so often let us down and confound us, at the same time that they far surpass our current attempts to build intelligence in machines
—— Josh Tenenbaum, Professor of Cognitive Science and Computation at MITThe mind may be flat but this book is a fascinating, rounded and radical approach to understanding how we think and act. The implications for understanding human decision making are profound. Everyone who enjoyed Thinking, Fast and Slow must read this book
—— Gus O'Donnell, former Cabinet Secretary and Chair of the Behavioural Insights Team Advisory BoardA total assault on all lingering psychiatric and psychoanalytic notions of mental depths to be plumbed. For Chater, surface is everything ... Light the touchpaper and stand well back
—— 'The ideas driving 2018' , New ScientistLaunched with what may be the most engaging prologue of any work of nonfiction, the reader of The Mind is Flat is taken on a fascinating intellectual journey. Chater first compels us to leave behind widely-accepted views about the depth of the mind, abandoning the cherished idea that thinking is rooted in the depths of unconscious thought. But far from depriving the life of the mind of its charm, magic or meaning, Chater introduces us to a new appreciation of the brain's remarkable propensity and capacity to make sense of experience. While the mind may indeed be flat in the sense it is devoid of unconscious ruminations, reading this book leaves us with a much deeper, transformed, understanding of our own thoughts and feelings and of how we perceive the definitively non-flat world in which we live
—— George Loewenstein , author of Exotic Preferences: Behavioral Economics and Human MotivationIf only this had been written twenty years ago I can only imagine the lives that could have been saved sooner. This is a hugely important book for everyone. It's changed the way I see myself, other people and the world.
—— Paris Lees, author and British Vogue Contributing EditorMatthew Todd dares to shine a light on the dark legacy of gay shame [and] it’s not a pretty sight…There are some uncomfortable and downright terrifying truths to be confronted in Todd’s brilliant, essential new book. It’s difficult to underestimate the importance of Straight Jacket. If you are struggling and want help and don’t know where to look, this book is a great place to start. But even if you’re not, [it] is by far one of the most important books you’ll read this year.
—— Gay Community News IrelandAn essential book... Part sociological polemic and part self-help book, it zones in on some of the issues that disproportionately affect the gay community, from depression and anxiety to drug and alcohol addiction and body and eating disorders. I found myself both deeply upset and hugely relieved by its candour. After reading the book, tender as it is, you can’t help but want to share your own experiences. Consider Straight Jacket a call to arms.
—— Independent (i)Matthew Todd thought he had long since dealt with the demons surrounding his sexuality. In [his] new book, he reveals the crisis of shame facing the gay community – and how to solve it.
—— The ObserverStraight Jacket is a really brilliant and moving read for everybody, especially LGBTQ+ people. Thanks Matthew.
—— Years and Years singer Olly AlexanderStraight Jacket documents Todd’s own childhood experiences, and the long-term mental health and addiction issues he has suffered; he is also using it to call for a government inquiry into the experiences of LGBT children at school.
—— GuardianThere are some uncomfortable and downright terrifying truths in Todd’s brilliant, essential new book... It’s difficult to underestimate the importance of Straight Jacket. It’s fundamentally a call to arms, a wide-ranging, desperately heartfelt cri de coeur… The gay community needs to look at ways of taking better care of itself, being nicer to each other and offering and providing support when it’s needed.
—— Gay Community News, DublinCannot put it down… a book like this is long overdue.
—— Charlie CondouAn honest and perceptive book.
—— Sunday ExpressA smashing book.
—— Paul O'GradyExcellent… A valuable contribution to mental health and a must read.
—— Dr Christian JessenIt’s an important book. I had to read it right through. It tackles some tough issues and is searingly honest
—— Lorraine KellyI got so much out of that book and I know a lot of people have. It’s helping a lot of people. It’s a bible.
—— Performance artist David HoyleI’m about to read Straight Jacket for a second time. Brilliant, important, inspiring, brave.
—— Rucomingout.com's Wayne DhesiAn honest insight into LGBTQ life that everybody should be enlightened about regardless of sexuality.
—— Rylan Clark-NealThis powerful book, I believe, will save lives. I’d like to see every gay man read this.
—— Juno Dawson , The GuardianA superb book… Have read it twice now.
—— Oliver Thring, Times journalistThe book we should all be talking about.
—— Prowler magazineThank you for writing this book. It is a must read.
—— Activist Bisi AlimiOne of the best books we have ever read. Honest, thought provoking and much needed.
—— Q Scene magazineFinally started to read Straight Jacket. I’m already blown away. An incredibly honest and insightful read. Bravo Matthew.
—— Journalist Tom KnightThis book should have been written a long time ago, but it wasn't...Everyone, no matter what their background, will benefit from reading this book. A much-needed and healing work of tough love, written with love.
—— John GrantA sensitive subject, brilliantly and intelligently handled.
—— Evan DavisAn excoriating book, Straight Jacket: How to be Gay and Happy delves into contemporary gay culture to address a plethora of issues gay people continue to face in 2016.
—— AttitudeInsightful, inclusive, clever and engaging
—— Jeremy Langmead