Willpower

Willpower

Rediscovering Our Greatest Strength

Summary

'Immensely rewarding...filled with ingenious research, wise advice and insightful reflections on the human condition' New York Times Book Review

Can you resist everything except temptation? In a hedonistic age full of distractions, it's hard to possess willpower - or in fact even understand why we should need it. Yet it's actually the most important factor in achieving success and a happy life, shown to be more significant than money, looks, background or intelligence. This book reveals the secrets of self-control.

Here, Roy Baumeister, one of the world's most esteemed and influential psychologists, and journalist John Tierney, turn this notion on its head. They show us that willpower is like a muscle that can be strengthened with practice and improved over time. Based on years of psychological research and filled with practical advice, this book will teach you how to gain from self-control without pain, and discover the very real power in willpower. The results are nothing short of life-changing.

Reviews

  • Willpower (the thing) lies at the curious intersection of science and behavior. Willpower (the book) lies at the intersection of Roy Baumeister, an extraordinarily creative scientist, and John Tierney, a phenomenally perceptive journalist. Ignore it at your peril
    Stephen J. Dubner, coauthor of 'Freakonomics' and 'SuperFreakonomics'

About the authors

Roy F. Baumeister

Roy F. Baumeister is the author of Willpower and a social psychologist who explores how we think about the self, and why we feel and act the way we do. He is especially known for his work on the subjects of willpower, self-control, and self-esteem, and how they relate to human morality and success.
Learn More

John Tierney

John Tierney is the author of Willpower and writes the 'Findings' science column for the New York Times. His writing has won awards from the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Institute of Physics.
Learn More

Sign up to the Penguin Newsletter

For the latest books, recommendations, author interviews and more