AN INSTANT USA TODAY and PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BESTSELLER 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 age-old maxims 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. Inside you will learn: The two things essential to making
friends ? and what Dale Carnegie got wrong. What creates love reignites love and sustains
love. (There's no Build-A-Bear store for a happy marriage but this is close.) The ethical and
effective way to get your partner to change. How social media can actually improve
relationships. The antidote to loneliness and why what we usually hear doesn't work. And so
much more. The book is packed with high-five-worthy stories about the greatest female detective
to ever live the most successful liar to ever open his mouth genius horses thieving hermits
the perils of perfect memories and placebos. 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.
