From the winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics, Richard H. Thaler, and Cass R. Sunstein: a revelatory look at how we make decisions—for fans of Malcolm Gladwell's Blink and Daniel Kahneman's Thinking Fast and Slow.
Every day we make choices—about what to buy or eat, about financial investments or our children's health and education, even about the causes we champion or the planet itself. Unfortunately, we often choose poorly. Nudge is about how we make these choices and how we can make better ones. Using dozens of eye-opening examples and drawing on decades of behavioral science research, Nobel Prize winner Richard H. Thaler and Harvard Law School professor Cass R. Sunstein show that no choice is ever presented to us in a neutral way, and that we are all susceptible to biases that can lead us to make bad decisions. But by knowing how people think, we can use sensible "choice architecture" to nudge people toward the best decisions for ourselves, our families, and our society, without restricting our freedom of choice.
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"really great book. I loved reading the POV from an economist because he provides practical solutions for today's problems. Albeit today's problems are far more complex and emotional, therefore would not be as easy to solve. But was still great reading from a different perspective."
— Joey (5 out of 5 stars)
“I love this book. It fundamentally changes the way I think about the world. Just as surprising, it is fun, drawing on examples as far afield as urinals, 401(k) plans, organ donations, and marriage. Academics aren’t supposed to be able to write this well.”
— Steven Levitt, New York Times bestselling author“In this utterly brilliant book, Thaler and Sunstein teach us how to steer people toward better health, sounder investments, and cleaner environments without depriving them of their inalienable right to make a mess of things if they want to.”
— Daniel Gilbert, New York Times bestselling author“Superb insights.”
— Financial Times“An engaging and insightful tour through the evidence that most human beings don’t make decisions in the way often characterized (some would say caricatured) in elementary economics textbooks, along with a rich array of suggestions for enabling many of us to make better choices.”
— New York Times“A manifesto for using the recent behavioral research to help people, as well as government agencies, companies, and charities, make better decisions.”
— New York Times Magazine"[This] research-based analysis full of practical solutions to real-life problems is strongly recommended for public libraries.”
— Library Journal“It is a must-read for anyone who wants to see both our minds and our society working better. It will improve your decisions and it will make the world a better place.”
— Daniel Kahneman, Princeton University, Nobel Laureate in Economics“This is an engaging, informative, and thoroughly delightful book. Thaler and Sunstein provide important lessons for structuring social policies so that people still have complete choice over their own actions, but are gently nudged to do what is in their own best interests. Well done.”
— Don Norman, Northwestern University, Author of The Design of Everyday Things and The Design of Future Things”This book is terrific. It will change the way you think, not only about the world around you and some of its bigger problems, but also about yourself.”
— Michael Lewis, author of The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game and Liars Poker" Most of the examples were good, although sometimes using the most extreme case to make a point. Some of the solutions proposed were a little too idealistic, and not viable in reality. "
— Brentin, 2/16/2014" Great idea, not so great book. Just read the first few chapters. "
— Ellen, 2/15/2014" Good information, but a bit repetitive. You can pick up the concept pretty quickly with the first examples. Then you continue to read the same ideas put to use in different industries, so it starts to lose the excitement factor. "
— Kelly, 2/15/2014" Good book but long for what it covers....or maybe it just makes you wish you could see many more examples and less on theory. But with that said, without the book, how would a reader even understand the idea of a nudge? "
— Kurt, 2/12/2014" A brilliant book. Explains the nature in which we present choices are inexplicably unbiased and that there is no neutral way to present choices. Having said that the book goes on to explain the applications in a variety of fields. "
— The, 2/11/2014" Reads just like CHES exam prep material...which is why I couldn't finish. I sold all of my textbooks back thankyouverymuch. "
— Suzy, 2/8/2014" Ultimately this does not amount ot a clear, coherent political philosophy. Its ideas are good but tend to add up to small, although potentially significant, ways of restructuring what we current do rather than thinking through what we actually want to achieve. "
— Al, 2/6/2014" Simple, thoughtful suggestions to help people make better decisions about health, finances, and lifestyle. "
— Jessica, 2/1/2014" Excellent book about how to encourage socially optimal behavior without mandates. Nudge is equally applicable to thinking about public policy, as well as to those interested in encouraging better behavior from their employees or patrons. "
— Mike, 1/31/2014" This book is unbelievable. Especially the beginning is extremely interesting. "
— Radovan, 1/25/2014" The author, Cass Sunstein, with his moderate approaches, is a good addition to the Obama Administration. "
— Roger, 1/18/2014" A brilliant book. Explains the nature in which we present choices are inexplicably unbiased and that there is no neutral way to present choices. Having said that the book goes on to explain the applications in a variety of fields. "
— The, 1/9/2014" I am vastly more curious about studying behavioral finance... "
— Khalid, 12/31/2013" Well written, with loads of examples, but you need not read the whole book to understand the concept and philosophy behind it. "
— Maciej, 12/30/2013" For the first part, which is a very clear and concise introduction to modern economic psychology. "
— Henri, 12/25/2013" my main takeaway from this book is the power of default settings! encourage good behaviors through default and most people will comply out of indifference or laziness and it will be better for everyone in the long run! "
— May-Ling, 12/9/2013" Cool insights. Draws some of them out but worth the read. "
— Lane, 12/3/2013" this book incorporates what i feel like are a majority of the studies we looked at in the course i took on behavioral economics, but in layman's terms. while the studies and findings are exciting, it's unfortunately a little bit dry and anticlimactic in its finish. "
— Andrew, 12/1/2013" Another book about research, minus the pain. Also has a few helpful hints for changing personal habits. "
— Barbara, 10/29/2013" Good read.... Some of the discussion was familiar earlier so was not super excited at the end.. "
— John, 9/23/2013" Wow, people are suckers. (Unfortunately, this includes me.) The way we respond to default values, or estimate based on personal experience, or whatever. A neat book on everyday psychology. "
— AC, 9/18/2013" people are provably gullible "
— Meghan, 9/6/2013" Not an easy book to read. Makes one aware of methods used to influence buyers,sellers,deceision makers--helpful in making choices. "
— Betty, 6/24/2013" First half is quite repetitive. America-centric, interesting cases, but overall not a designer guide. "
— Connie, 6/1/2013" I think I'm a behavioralist now. "
— Tim, 4/16/2013" Enjoyed this when I read it - have forgotten pretty much everything about it apart from the basic idea that getting people to do the things you want by slightly encouraging that behaviour in some way, probably by making it the easiest option, is a good idea. "
— Kirsty, 4/3/2013" Really enjoyed reading nudge. Pretty quick read about decision making. Lots of insights into structuring systems for desired outcomes. "
— micha, 2/27/2013" This is a book for policy creators, not really the general public. I was hoping for something more like predictable irrationality, which can help you understand your own decision making process. This book instead concentrates on how to affect the decision making process of others. "
— Kelly, 2/18/2013" A engaging and interesting read. Altough I don't agree with all of the authors' ideas, they certainly give the reader something to consider. Well worth the read. "
— Matt, 1/15/2013" I was disappointed with this book. I thought it would have more of a self help bent, but it is actually a banal mish-mash of The Tipping Point and Freakanomics, yet not nearly as engaging as either, and I didn't like Freakanomics either. "
— Rob, 1/6/2013" Useful for both policymakers and information designers alike, which is probably why I liked it so much. It's really quite amazing what results you get if you change one little thing. "
— Alice, 11/28/2012" Good read.... Some of the discussion was familiar earlier so was not super excited at the end.. "
— John, 10/20/2012" Nudge is like a Gladwell book based on actual research. Entertaining read and compelling ideas. "
— Tyson, 9/24/2012" Popular right now, but there are better guides out there in terms of the real practical methodologies for decision making and avoiding common (often emotional) pitfalls (see my books). It is good at uncovering some of the shenanigans of the selling and advertising world. "
— Natalie, 9/24/2012" Thought provoking. A ton of insight on "choice architecture" and "libertarian paternalism." Sounds awful, but was really interesting. "
— Teeni, 6/3/2012" A lot of good info but much of it not applicable to everyone, and very dry reading. "
— Vicki, 4/13/2012" Never finished this book. Main thesis seems to be thoroughly hashed out in the first third; the rest is detailed case studies in everything from finance to government to health. Might pick it up again someday or use it as a reference if I never have to deal with those specific topics. "
— Tina, 4/4/2012" Enjoyed this when I read it - have forgotten pretty much everything about it apart from the basic idea that getting people to do the things you want by slightly encouraging that behaviour in some way, probably by making it the easiest option, is a good idea. "
— Kirsty, 11/11/2011" maybe this book has a powerful message, if so, it was lost on me "
— Cate, 10/10/2011" Wow, people are suckers. (Unfortunately, this includes me.) The way we respond to default values, or estimate based on personal experience, or whatever. A neat book on everyday psychology. "
— AC, 9/5/2011" i got a bit lost in some of the financial details of this book... probably a topic i should be more invested in, but i had trouble sticking with it. "
— Marisa, 8/19/2011" "Don't Mess With Texas" began as a part of a anti-litter campaign. "
— tara, 6/10/2011" In the same vain as Tipping Point, but I love these kinds of books. They are slightly academic while being humorous and insightful. "
— Alison, 5/20/2011" In the same vain as Tipping Point, but I love these kinds of books. They are slightly academic while being humorous and insightful. "
— Alison, 5/20/2011" Spannendes Buch - streckt sich hintenraus ein wenig mit zu vielen Details zum amerikanischen Gesundheitssystem und dergleichen für Europäer weniger relevanten Einzelheiten. Einige Beispiele sind einem auch schon allzu bekannt (Fliege im Pissoir etc.). Dennoch lesenswert. "
— Megatrend, 5/2/2011" Spannendes Buch - streckt sich hintenraus ein wenig mit zu vielen Details zum amerikanischen Gesundheitssystem und dergleichen für Europäer weniger relevanten Einzelheiten. Einige Beispiele sind einem auch schon allzu bekannt (Fliege im Pissoir etc.). Dennoch lesenswert. "
— Megatrend, 5/2/2011" I was disappointed with this book. I thought it would have more of a self help bent, but it is actually a banal mish-mash of The Tipping Point and Freakanomics, yet not nearly as engaging as either, and I didn't like Freakanomics either. "
— Rob, 4/30/2011" I was disappointed with this book. I thought it would have more of a self help bent, but it is actually a banal mish-mash of The Tipping Point and Freakanomics, yet not nearly as engaging as either, and I didn't like Freakanomics either. "
— Rob, 4/30/2011" Thaler and Sunstein for President! "
— Erika, 4/28/2011" Thaler and Sunstein for President! "
— Erika, 4/28/2011" It's basically an applied behavior economics. It reminds me of Predictably Irrational, but not nearly as cute. I mean that as a compliment. "
— Taylor, 4/1/2011" An easy read but there's nothing new here and the writing style is very patronising. "
— HKd, 4/1/2011" It's basically an applied behavior economics. It reminds me of Predictably Irrational, but not nearly as cute. I mean that as a compliment. "
— Taylor, 4/1/2011" An easy read but there's nothing new here and the writing style is very patronising. "
— HKd, 4/1/2011" Some interesting material, but I found the style irritating. The humour felt patronising. <br/><br/> "
— Voracious, 4/1/2011" Some interesting material, but I found the style irritating. The humour felt patronising. <br/><br/> "
— Voracious, 4/1/2011" I read the sample sending over by Kindle. I am not impressed by the pedantic style of writing. The ideas seem to be rather mundane. "
— Qi, 3/15/2011" I read the sample sending over by Kindle. I am not impressed by the pedantic style of writing. The ideas seem to be rather mundane. "
— Qi, 3/15/2011" Great review of social science findings in a readable and applicable format. "
— Sam, 3/15/2011" Great review of social science findings in a readable and applicable format. "
— Sam, 3/15/2011" Much of the content is repetitive if one has read other behavioral economics books. But the authors' takes on Marriage (Privatizing), Savings, Green taxes, etc were new and thought-provoking "
— Saugat, 3/4/2011" Much of the content is repetitive if one has read other behavioral economics books. But the authors' takes on Marriage (Privatizing), Savings, Green taxes, etc were new and thought-provoking "
— Saugat, 3/4/2011Richard H. Thaler, winner of the 2017 Nobel Prize for Economics, is an American economist and the Ralph and Dorothy Keller Distinguished Service Professor of behavioral science and economics at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business. He is considered a pioneer in the fields of behavioral economics and finance. He is the author of numerous articles and books, including Nudge: Improving Decisions about Health, Wealth, and Happiness; The Winner’s Curse; Quasi Rational Economics; and Misbehaving: The Making of Behavioral Economics.
Cass R. Sunstein has written many articles and books, including Simpler: The Future of Government and Wiser: Getting beyond Groupthink to Make Groups Smarter. He is the Robert Walmsley University Professor at Harvard Law School, where he is the founder and director of the program on behavioral Eeonomics and public policy. He is by far the most cited law professor in the United States. From 2009 to 2012 he served in the Obama administration as administrator of the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. He has testified before congressional committees, appeared on national television and radio shows, been involved in constitution-making and law-reform activities in a number of nations.
Lloyd James (a.k.a. Sean Pratt) has been a working professional actor in theater, film, television, and voice-overs for more than thirty years. He has narrated over one thousand audiobooks and won numerous Earphones Awards and nominations for the Audie Award and the Voice Arts Award. He holds a BFA degree in acting from Santa Fe University, New Mexico.