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Plays Well with Others

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

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Plays Well with Others

By: Eric Barker
Narrated by: Roger Wayne
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About this listen

From the author of the Wall Street Journal bestseller Barking Up the Wrong Tree comes a cure-all for our increasing emotional distance and loneliness—a smart, surprising, and thoroughly entertaining guide to help build better friendships, reignite love, and get closer to others, whether you’re an extrovert or introvert, socially adept or socially anxious.

Can you judge a book by its cover?

Is a friend in need truly a friend indeed?

Does love conquer all?

Is no man an island?

In Plays Well With Others, Eric Barker dives into these questions, drawing on science to reveal the truth beyond the conventional wisdom about human relationships. Combining his compelling storytelling and humor, Barker explains what hostage negotiation techniques and marital arguments have in common, how an expert con-man lied his way into a twenty-year professional soccer career, and why those holding views diametrically opposed to our own actually have the potential to become our closest, most trusted friends.

Leveraging the best evidence available—free of platitudes or magical thinking—Barker analyzes multiple sides of an issue before rendering his verdict. What he’s uncovered is surprising, counterintuitive, and timely—and will change the way you interact in the world and with those around you just when you need it most.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Eric Barker (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers
Career Success Personal Success Social Psychology & Interactions Career Witty Inspiring

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Lots of great stories … with a point.

Plays well with others us full of great stories that lead to a very interesting conclusion. A great book.

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Such a timely book for me.

I avoided it in my Audible library for 4-6 weeks just in time though to avoid making some serious long term mistakes. Eric Barkers 2 books have been of the most influential 10 books in my life. Thank you 😊

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Absolute gem!

i absolutely love this book! this is different to other communication or relationship books I have read, the content, tips and perspectives are supported by facts and funny stories too. the narrator did a great job reading the book, I couldn't contain my laughter when I was listening to this book on the train. highly recommend!

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Challenges your thinking

I really enjoy the style and content of Eric's writing. His first book had me thinking for quite some time and so I was looking forward to reading this book - and I am pleased to say that I was not disappointed.

Other than the many thoughts that he presented, the biggest twist in all that he said is to be found at the end. I really like the fact that all of his research and thinking led him on his own journey of discovery. No pretense here - while Eric knows a lot, he shows a real learner's mindset in the way that he has written this.

Powerful and entertaining.

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Scientifically based, wide read, novel information

I usually expect relationship books to cover a few key points we already know and just need reminding of. I also expect a bunch of filler and repetition about the same points over and over. It's not the case for this book.

This book is packed with information from start to finish. Too much to take in for a single listen. All the points made are supported by academic research of some kind. The connections he makes between disciplines are remarkable. Later chapters are very poignant and beautifully written.

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Another brilliant book from Eric Barker

Well researched with data strung together in such an engaging way. Eric's ability to interweave facts with emotion, humour and insight is second to none. Highly recommend this book to anyone interested in becoming a better human.

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Poignant

As a parent to kids growing up through a childhood I can’t imagine, ‘Plays well with others’ was a timely, entertaining and well referenced enough to give me the credibility to use it to helps friends make sense of what they’re experiencing.

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