The Surprising Science Behind Why Everything You Know About Success Is (Mostly) Wrong

If you’re into critical thinking, myth busting and open to a change in perspective, you have to read this. If you enjoyed “Outliers” you’ll love this. Well written in a conversational way. Hard to put down.

Through the endorsements of writers that I thoroughly enjoy, I decided to pick up this book with limited expectations as I was unfamiliar with the author's works. Man, I am so glad I did. Having read many works in the social physiology/self improvement space, I have to say this is one of the most refreshing approaches, while still adding tremendous value and actionable insights. I will definitely be returning to the many highlights in the book from my first pass and look to incorporate many of these learnings into my own life.

Very informative and interesting read. The author provides compelling evidence that many of our pre conceived notions about success and life in general often wrong. The book is written in well organized style and the author uses many true stories to prove his theories.

Having read Eric's (the author's) blog for years, I had very high expectations for this book. He blew them out of the water.

You will never read a book that is both so enjoyable and provides so much actionable information to improve your life. There is so much actionable value in this book that, if you try to highlight everything that counts, you'll nearly highlight the whole thing. No exaggeration. I found myself making hard choices between highlights so that my highlight summary reread (highly recommend doing this) would be its most valuable. Every sentence of Eric's writing - every word - has a place. That's a very hard thing to achieve, and I've never seen another author do it so well.

Unlike most authors, Eric isn't offering platitudes and a series of inspirational quotes to help you be a better, more successful person. He's not poking in the dark, taking guesses, or offering opinions. Eric delivers real, scientific value.

And Eric makes it fun. As he dives into a new subject, he opens up with an interesting story that relates to the subject - an illustration of what the following content will demonstrate. You'll hear about what made seemingly-unstable Winston Churchill a great leader in WW2, a guy who overcame full-body paralysis, and the surprising things that made pirates successful on the high seas. Eric then starts sprinkling in research, doing it in such a way that it works with the story, but so that it also connected with me, as a reader, emotionally.

This isn't a feel-good book, but this book will make you feel good. By the time you finish Barking Up the Wrong Tree, you will have actionable strategies to be a better leader, to be more efficient and effective, and to live a happier life. On top of that, you'll have stories to share with friends and family - things that will make you a better conversationalist, but also a better teacher, as you try to help people that matter in your life.

What could make this book better? I just wish there was more of it, because I was genuinely sad to read the last page. I can't wait for Eric's next book.

I'm a lawyer, and a consultant. I read, learn, and think for a living. This is probably the single most valuable book I've ever read.

Barking up the wrong tree is a very insightful read. I caught myself taking loads of notes while making my way through it. It's a few parts philosophy, research, interesting stories and entertainment. Eric discusses how to be great in various environments, working with your self-talk, creating value for yourself and others, and enjoying a fulfilled life. I love his line, "We spend so much time trying to be good when good is merely average. To be great we must be different."

Love this book! Everyone should own this. If you haven't read and signed up for Eric Barker's blog, you are missing out. His research and writing is admirable. Buy the book, read it and then buy more to give as gifts.

Very pragmatic, hilarious and magnetizing read how to become a better friend and a more successful leader. Among dozena of other books on the topic, this stands out with Eric’s intelligent storytelling and cheat-sheet approach that truelly inspires to change.

This is the kind of solid, researched, instantly useable information that I love. Eric's a natural at poring through reams of real-world research, conducting thought-provoking interviews with experts, and then condensing, connecting dots, and delivering it all to a total layman like me in a way that's a joy to read. If you're looking for info on smarter ways to achieve your goals GET THIS BOOK!

Really great book from start to finish. It contains a rare combination of depth (tons of interviews and wide body of research) coupled with readability. i plan on reading it again because there was so much to process. Even if you aren't into the self-help genre, you will enjoy the learning about the history and science behind success, presented in an entertaining form.

Fantastic read - clear, funny, well-researched and completely counter-intuitive advice that can make a real and meaningful difference in how you think about and approach "success" in your life.

I ended up buying copies for my entire team of 20 - rave reviews all around!

Entertaining read, and backed by reasonable research, though some of the takeaways were backed by loose rigor and anecdotes. Sometimes I read a section in one chapter that seemed to contradict the message of another, but each chapter was consistent with itself. Also, his style can be a little cheesy, saying " don't be Batman " to eschew perfectionism...for me it was a little much at times.

Insightful, scintillating & perceptive. Barker's work resonated with me and draws on a truly comprehensive body of knowledge. His analysis of what a successful life must look like- and the steps one should take to arrive at this destination- are based not on the relativism that is so prevalent today, but on hard empirical evidence and deep critical thought- This is more than a book. It is a map. The best piece of literature I have read all year.

You have to enjoy any book that makes you reevaluate your core principles and ideas. This is the major thing Barker does. What does it mean to be successful? You may never look at your life the same way.

Wow. This is possibility one of the best combos of social myth busting, science and biography told as personal stories, and action steps, which turns it all into a kind of practical self help that I've read. I wish I could force everyone I know to read this. Possibly by direct consciousness download.

Dense with stories & information. Worth listening to more than once, or in small bits to really take it all in. Of course, if you are bothered by 'on the one hand ... and on the other...." this might make you crazy. He shows the pluses and minuses of every trait he writes about.

Eric has written a contrarian masterpiece! This book is a fantastic guide to challengine assumptions and looking at life and success from a neutral view. The way philosophy and thought is blended with fact and research is a testament to the great storytelling of the author. I've never experienced a book that had over 30 pages of references that was so easy to read. This is going to be one of my annual books that gets reread once a year.

A very well thought out well written book.the writing is delivered in an easy down to earth style.It is a book for everyone to to read. The information given is researched by the author and references are given to his sources of information. All in all a good read five stars.

The book's various observations would have been very helpful to me when I was much younger; and I do hope that many young people will gain an opportunity to read it. The book's examples of varying paths to success are insightful.

Amazing book that really breaks down a lot of the myths that we all think about with success. I like how he breaks down both sides of the equation and really exposes what is important and what is not. This book definitely makes you scratch your head on a lot of stuff that you've heard in the past that might not be the truth. Would definitely recommend to a friend

As insightful as it is entertaining, "Barking Up the Wrong Tree" delivers a ton of fascinating information about how to make the most of your life, whatever your personality type might be. Filled with compelling stories and scientific studies--the rigorous ones (yes, I read the References, too...)--it also delivers clever, sometimes counterintuitive advice about how to make concrete changes. Most importantly: it's a great read.

A wonderfully researched look at what makes a life worth living. The examination of extreme behavior to real life drives home the points. Extremely entertaining and packed with thought-provoking ideas

Barking Up The Wrong Tree is entertaining, insightful, and well worth the read. The author brings scientific research to life with an amusingly diverse range of examples–ranging from Stoic philosophy to Navy SEAL training to Superhero comics–to help readers create a more balanced perspective how personal success can be attained.

The author also has a weekly e-blast, which is well worth subscribing to.

HELPED ME WITH CAREER TRANSITION

I began reading this book after I had just left a job and looking to make some significant changes in my career. The book gave me insight and helped clarify some things as well as validates others. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for more direction. Great for ambitious individuals as well as parents.

This book is absolutely brilliant. Just like Eric Barker's blog posts, this book combines impressive research with sound, straightforward advice. However, it's also tremendously entertaining. Each chapter starts with an anecdote that sets the tone for a specific topic, making the book much more of a page turner then you typically see in the world of success literature. This instantly became one of my all time favorites.

This book is great! I really enjoyed the anecdotes and how the writer times them into the messages packed into each chapter. I flew through this book as it was so good to read. I definitely will be returning to it, and will recommend it to all of friends.
I honestly disliked nothing and anyone wanting to know more about success should read it.

Well researched, readable and entertaining analysis of success. Thought provoking and insightful. One of the best books I have read regarding the subject. Right up there with “How to Win Friends and Influence People.” After finishing the book, I was glad to discover his excellent blog.

This book is an extremely fun and informative read. It challenges your perceptions, and makes you reconsider a lot of what you know. There is something to take from each page of this book and Eric does a wonderful job of communicating compelling research. I really enjoyed Barking Up the Wrong Tree and I'll be telling my friends about it who are looking for book recommendations!

I've been reading Eric Barker's blog for sometime and appreciate his wit and insight. He has good stories to illustrate his points. And I tend to like ideas that appear on their face to be counter intuitive. Definitely worth your time and investment.