Why Smart People Do Dumb Things: Lessons from the New Science of Behavioral Economics (Paperback)

~ Mortimer Feinberg (Author) "My name is Ed," says the gentleman with the scraggly beard, "and I'm a smart screwup..." (more)
Key Phrases: smart screwup, risk junkies, logic override, New York, Bobby Ray Inman, John Sculley (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Culled from business headlines and corporate files, this examination of the ultimate in boardroom breakdown describes, in entertaining anecdotes, the mega-mistakes made by highly regarded leaders in business and public life.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Fireside (April 26, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671892584
• ISBN-13: 978-0671892586
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #256,918 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must read for aspiring executives, August 13, 2000

By	George Kledaras (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

I have spent my entire career on Wall Street and have witnessed first hand a lot of the pitfalls outlined in this book. It is easy to see it in others, but how can you stop doing it yourself? How do you keep yourself from doing dumb things especially when the more success you have, the less people are honest with you?

I highly recommend this book for aspiring executives and entrepreneurs, just to make sure that they stay humble and avoid some of the traps on the road to success. The book shocked me because it clearly provides examples of past presidents, celebrities, and business executives and then outlines step by step how and why they blew it.

The first half of the book had me wondering if it was too late for me, a president of a growing software company. But the second half of the book is full of recomendations and survival tips that are insightful and applicable. I make sure that anyone around me who aspires to any leadership position reads this book.

1 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Satisfied Customer, July 25, 2007

By	Andres R. Romero - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The item was delivered very, very quickly and in good conditions. I am very happy with my purchase. My only complaint is that the delivery time offered at the time of the purchase seems to be intentionally inflated. I am in favor of underpromossing and overdelivering but taken to an extreme this is sandbaging.