Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength [Hardcover]

Roy F. Baumeister (Author), John Tierney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2011

One of the world's most esteemed and influential psychologists, Roy F. Baumeister, teams with New York Times science writer John Tierney to reveal the secrets of self-control and how to master it.

In Willpower, the pioneering researcher Roy F. Baumeister collaborates with renowned New York Times science writer John Tierney to revolutionize our understanding of the most coveted human virtue: self-control.

In what became one of the most cited papers in social science literature, Baumeister discovered that willpower actually operates like a muscle: it can be strengthened with practice and fatigued by overuse. Willpower is fueled by glucose, and it can be bolstered simply by replenishing the brain's store of fuel. That's why eating and sleeping- and especially failing to do either of those-have such dramatic effects on self-control (and why dieters have such a hard time resisting temptation).

Baumeister's latest research shows that we typically spend four hours every day resisting temptation. No wonder people around the world rank a lack of self-control as their biggest weakness. Willpower looks to the lives of entrepreneurs, parents, entertainers, and artists-including David Blaine, Eric Clapton, and others-who have flourished by improving their self-control.

The lessons from their stories and psychologists' experiments can help anyone. You learn not only how to build willpower but also how to conserve it for crucial moments by setting the right goals and using the best new techniques for monitoring your progress. Once you master these techniques and establish the right habits, willpower gets easier: you'll need less conscious mental energy to avoid temptation. That's neither magic nor empty self-help sloganeering, but rather a solid path to a better life.

Combining the best of modern social science with practical wisdom, Baumeister and Tierney here share the definitive compendium of modern lessons in willpower. As our society has moved away from the virtues of thrift and self-denial, it often feels helpless because we face more temptations than ever. But we also have more knowledge and better tools for taking control of our lives. However we define happiness-a close- knit family, a satisfying career, financial security-we won't reach it without mastering self-control.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The psychologist Roy F. Baumeister has shown that the force metaphor has a kernel of neurobiological reality. In Willpower, he has teamed up with the irreverent New York Times science columnist John Tierney to explain this ingenious research and show how it can enhance our lives. . . . Willpower is an immensely rewarding book, filled with ingenious research, wise advice and insightful reflections on the human condition."

(Steven Pinker, THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW )

"An accessible, empirically grounded guide to willpower and how best to deploy it to overcome temptation."

(THE WALL STREET JOURNAL )

"Willpower is sure to inspire further groundbreaking research into the mechanics of willpower. One implication is already apparent. Since repeated behaviors eventually turn into habits, improving willpower long term requires a unique strategy-a habit of changing habits, of continually expanding our zones of comfort. One such practice, it seems, is the ''routine'' of learning. That''s a habit that this brilliant book will certainly nourish."

(THE DAILY BEAST )

"Willpower affects almost every aspect of our lives. From procrastination, to saving for retirement to exercising, Tierney and Baumeister have given us a wonderful book in which they not only share fascinating research on the subject but also provide simple tricks to help us tap into this important quality."

(Dan Ariely, Duke University, author of PREDICTABLY IRRATIONAL )

"Willpower is sinfully delicious - once you start reading, you won''t be able to stop. A fascinating account of the exciting new science of self-control, told by the scientist who made it happen and the journalist who made it news."

(Daniel Gilbert, Harvard University, author of STUMBLING ON HAPPINESS )

"Who knew that a book about such a daunting topic could be as wonderfully entertaining as it is enlightening! Tierney and Baumeister have produced a highly intelligent work full of fascinating information (and great advice) about a core element of modern living. Bravo."

(David Allen, author of GETTING THINGS DONE and MAKING IT WORK )

"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 )

"Will, willpower, and mental energy have been shunned by modern psychology. Roy Baumeister, the most distinguished experimental social psychologist in the world, and John Tierney, a renowned journalist, have teamed up to put Will back into its rightful center stage place. This little masterpiece is a must read for all of us who want to exercise, diet, manage our time, be thrifty, and resist temptation."

(Martin Seligman, former president of American Psychological Association )

"This is a manual from heaven for anyone who has ever wanted to lose weight, stop smoking, drink less, work more efficiently and more intelligently. An astonishingly good - and accessible - inquiry into one of the more elusive areas of human psychology: why we go on thwarting ourselves when we really know better. On top of that, Willpower is a vastly entertaining book, full of fascinating stories about the complexities of our evolutionarily-wired brains. A brilliant accomplishment, at every level."

(Christopher Buckley, author of THANK YOU FOR SMOKING )

"Deep and provocative analysis of people''s battle with temptation and masterful insights into understanding willpower: why we have it, why we don''t, and how to build it. A terrific read."

(Ravi Dhar, Yale School of Management, Director of Center for Customer Insights )

About the Author

Roy F. Baumeister directs the social psychology program at Florida State University. He has written for more than 450 scientific publications and consistently ranks among the world's most frequently cited psychologists. This is his twenty-eighth book.
John Tierney 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. This is his third book.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Press HC, The; 1 edition (September 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594203075
• ISBN-13: 978-1594203077
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (62 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #501 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Compulsive Behavior
  • #27 in Books > Self-Help > Motivational
  • #39 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Spirituality > Personal Transformation

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

84 of 92 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars profound and easy to read, September 15, 2011

By 

Todd B. Kashdan - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength (Hardcover)

There are few concepts in psychology with as much scientific support as the idea that willpower is a limited resource and when its drained, people (and even dogs) have less willpower for whatever task is coming next in their lives. Perhaps the most sexy finding is that if you use a great deal of self-control or willpower in doing something you end up exhausted in whatever you do next that requires self-control even if it is completed unrelated to the first activity. For instance, you try to resist the sexual temptation of looking at beautiful women at work and without even knowing it, you end up physically weaker during your gym workout. This tends to happen when the two activities are back to back. Other people will be fascinated by the unusual ways that people can build up their reservoir of willpower. I won't give away the juice here.

As a scientist, I am impressed with how the authors stay close to the science.
As a reader, I relish the smooth writing style.
As someone who wants to be entertained, I appreciate the great storytelling ability. For this reason, the ideas in this book are sticky.

Honestly, I find it difficult to imagine an audience that would not benefit from reading this book. Educators. Policy makers. Parents. Self-help book fanatics. Therapists and coaches. People interested in why human beings do the things they do (that is, fans of psychology). If you disagree, let me know. Roy Baumeister is one of the most important psychologists alive and he is not afraid of taking risks and delving into what matters- sex, death, love, happiness, suicide, and even UFO abductions. Its about time people outside of science get a taste of his excellent contributions.

I couldn't recommend this more strongly.

cheers,
Todd

354 of 438 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Unfocused and meandering....an embarrassment, September 22, 2011

By 

Dr. Chuck Chakrapani - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength (Hardcover)

Will power is an interesting and important topic. A good authoritative book on the subject written for general audience is long overdue. So I eagerly waited to read this book. Unfortunately, this book is not it. It is a readable book but with no significant payoff to the reader.

In recent years, a new genre of books - academics and scientists writing for lay audience - has become very popular. Many such books (for example, Influence by Cialdini, Freakonomics by Steven Levitt, Stumbling on Happiness by Daniel Gilbert) are surprisingly well written; others are well-meaning but plodding (for example, The How of Happiness by Sonja Lyubomirsky, Positivity by Barbara Frederickson); but almost all of them are clearly focused on their subject.

Not so with this book.

If authors know what this book is about, they don't tell the readers. But, to be fair to the authors, it doesn't appear that they have a clue themselves.

What is Willpower? Well, the authors aren't sure. It could be decision making skill. The authors have the solution. Watch your glycemic index. Or it could be strategies to cope with things when you DON'T have self-control. Authors helpful suggestions include that if you are an alcoholic, don't be around people who drink. I could have never thought of that. Or...

How to increase your willpower? Well you cannot. But wait, if you are organized, then you will increase your willpower in other areas. Well not really. When something becomes a habit, it does not deplete your energy. So you have more willpower, even though you don't. Are you following all this? If not, let's take a detour here. Let's go on some completely irrelevant excursions into the Heart of Darkness, Eric Clapton's transformation and behavioral economics. And if you are still confused, here is another suggestion. Maybe you should become religious. The authors know of a study in which religious people are found to have more will power than those who don't. Good enough for us.

Are the authors bothered by contradictory findings? No, not a bit, not our intrepid authors. They have explanations for things that might baffle more enquiring minds. When you lack the willpower to resist the second temptation, it's because your ego is fatigued. When you do have the willpower to resist the second temptation, it's because your willpower is strengthened by your earlier resistance. If parole officers decide to be less lenient when their glucose level is low, that's because they don't have the willpower at all to decide (to be lenient). Deciding not to grant parole is the same as not deciding. Theoretical consistency and reality checks are no concern of the authors. Must be wonderful to find a fantasy niche in science where one's theories are unfalsifiable, no matter what reality says.

Is the book a summary of what researchers found thus far on willpower? Well maybe. But the authors did not find much worthwhile research done by anyone else except by one of the authors. Anything else that is mentioned just supports Baumeister's research. Bit players all.

Is the research reported solid? Yes of course, most of them are based on single studies on voluntary university students. Why bother replicating when you can stretch the implications of single studies to develop beautiful theories? Why consider the possibility of alternative explanations? Why consider testing anything in a more realistic or broader context?

This book lacks the theoretical rigor of books like Howard Rachlin's The Science of Self Control or the breeziness of books like Dan Ariely's Predictably Irrational. This book (Willpower) is like a large meal that lacks taste and flavor. Come to think of it, nutrition as well.

Why two stars? I am a generous guy, that's why.

This book is an embarrassment to the genre created by the likes of Bob Cialdini, Dan Ariely, Steven Levitt and Dan Gilbert.

103 of 129 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An advanced guide, offering an abundance of helpful strategies to offset the human weakness of will, September 3, 2011

By 

Didaskalex "Eusebius Alexandrinus" (Kellia on Calvary, Carolina, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength (Hardcover)

****
"The elusive forces behind a person's willpower have been the subject of increasing scrutiny by the scientific community trying to understand why some people overeat or abuse drugs and alcohol. What researchers are finding is that willpower is essentially a mental muscle,..." -- Tara Parker-Pope, How to Boost Your Willpower


Good impulse control was always celebrated as a positive personal character, long considered as the backbone trait of emotional maturity by Western standards. Moreover, people who are unable to delay gratification are said to require instant gratification and might endure poor impulse control, that should be mentally important for academic achievement and success in adult life. Research indicates that animals do not defer gratification, accordingly, the problem of delayed gratification is intellectual and philosophically fundamental to human nature. Europeans abandoned Willpower, as a foundational moral virtue in their post-WWII rush toward instant gratification. Americans followed suit, but blamed it on Dr. Spock, whose childcare advised a more flexible and affectionate bringing of their children, as a plan of instant gratification!

One of the recent discoveries in social science by Baumeister, claims that willpower actually operates as a muscle, and so it can be fortified with practice, and exhausted on overuse. Willpower is sustained merely by glucose, and can be reinvigorated simply by replenishing the brain's store of fuel. That tells you why self-discipline is so vital to individual success. Baumeister's latest research into willpower suggest that psychology is the best venue for advancing human self-control and personal welfare. He maintains that we typically spend around four hours every day wrestling with temptation, proving that lack of self-control is human's greatest weakness, and 'Willpower' could irritate the root cause of the problem it is trying to reduce by promoting the idea of self-control.

It is captivating to learn that exerting willpower leads to a slowdown in the brain location that imposes self-control. This means that if a demand on your willpower is followed closely by another, called 'ego depletion' by Baumeister, that will eventually cause you to give up and acknowledge defeat. More engrossing is to hear the authors' assertion that this failure is caused only by physiology, since the practice of self-control lowers the level of glucose, which supports brain activity of the body. But it is far less misleading to be told that the key to sustained self-control is proper nutrition, that guarantees the glucose supply you need, with plenty of rest, which helps glucose processing. This is actually the same old advice not to make important choices when you are tired. In conclusion, the authors draw from a series of experiments that, "It takes willpower to make decisions."

Combining modern social science with practical wisdom, Baumeister and Tierney share their psychological findings on willpower. They articulated a liberating book that takes pains to avoid Old School morals, in favor of experimental data collected by Baumeister in a quarter century research project. Willpower is a well documented self-help manual, that offers an abundance of helpful strategies to offset the human weakness of will. But the authors have fell inexplicably short of exploring the ways of willpower reinforcing by way of systematic changes to the environment, in addition to the individual's own. As our society has moved away from the virtues of thrift and self-denial, it often feels helpless because we face more temptations than ever.

However we define happiness, a close-knit family, a satisfying career, financial security-we won't reach it without mastering self-control. The authors "want to tell you what's been learned about human behavior, and how you can use it to change yourself for the better."