The Human Mind

An extraordinary book that absolutely delivers on its sweeping ambitions. Every chapter here - on topics ranging from Freud to the mysteries of consciousness, from intergroup conflict to the meaning of life - feels like having the mind's complexities untangled by a witty, eloquent and deeply knowledgeable friend -- OLIVER BURKEMAN, author of Four Thousand Weeks
Essential reading for anyone who has wondered why people do, feel, and think what they do. Paul Bloom is that rarest of experts - able to tell a story, make it practical, and yet faithfully capture the complexity and nuance of the latest research -- ANGELA DUCKWORTH, author of Grit
This book is a gem. Insightful, accessible, witty and provocative in the best sense, it presents state-of-the art science and its controversies in an even-handed manner. A wonderfulbook, whether for a newcomer or a specialist who has studied one tree so long that the forest has been forgotten -- ROBERT SAPOLSKY, author of Behave
I don't remember the last time I was this excited about a psychology-related book. The Human Mind is everything a reader wants. Enlightening, thoroughly researched, and witty too. Paul Bloom knows his stuff and has a way of sharing that will delight you. I wish psychology was always taught in this way -- SOPHIE MORT (aka Dr Soph), author of A Manual For Being Human
Paul Bloom can always be counted on to take your confident assumptions about humanity and turn them upside down -- SUSAN CAIN, author of Quiet
Really wonderful, hugely readable -- DERREN BROWN (on Twitter)
Explains the deep and lasting insights from the science of the mind ... such a pleasure to read -- STEVEN PINKER, author of Enlightenment Now
Bloom asks the big, thought-provoking questions, and his passion and enthusiasm for his line of work are evident on every page ... [The Human Mind] is a success at giving readers a taste of their own minds ... Readers will learn a lot about themselves * Washington Examiner *
A perfect testament to why understanding the puzzles of the mind can be so damn fun -- LAURIE SANTOS, host of The Happiness Lab podcast
Perhaps the wittiest, most captivating overview of the field of psychology to date -- JENNIFER SENIOR, author of All Joy and No Fun
The story of the human mind as told by psychology's best storyteller ... a fantastic journey -- DANIEL GILBERT, author of Stumbling on Happiness
Powerful ... The Human Mind is a sane corrective in an increasingly crazed world * Prospect *
An ambitious, up-to-the-minute guide to the mind ... From perception and behaviour to choice and morality, psychologist Paul Bloom's book on the mind takes on a comprehensive journey of what it means to be human -- Simon Ings * New Scientist *
Excellent ... [Bloom's] stories are sometimes surprising and made me laugh out loud ... a very enjoyable read * The Conversation *