I really enjoyed DiSalvo's journey on this topic. His search grabbed from cognitive science, neurology, social psychology, economics and the kitchen sink to find out about what makes us happy. Why do our brains get in the way? How do we find a fulfilled life? If you dig cognitive psychology or books that highlight studies on the brain and behavior (think Malcolm Gladwell) done well, you will like this book. I loved this book. I am fascinated by what makes us tick apart from acculturation. There are study summaries that are entertaining that will enlighten you and if you can retain a few of them you can in some cases be aware of when you are responding to marketing ploys and can at least be fairly armed. This awareness will make you slow down and consider why you and others do some of the things you do and possibly motivate you to make incremental changes. Alternately, appreciating how we operate can be used in child development where parents, teachers and remedial specialists could capitalize on these hardwired human inclinations.Besides the content, this book is written in a very entertaining way full of short vignettes of human behavior in a variety of situtations.
A very non-technical look at recent brain research & its practical applications.
—robertr
Good read interesting view on how the brain works not always in your favor.
—brandyn
Trite, cliched, and completely forgettable.
—Kim
Pop brain science. An easy bed-time read.
—kelsey
Rather short and shallow.
—emeraldgirl6