From the Publisher
"There are few academics who write with as much grace and wisdom as Timothy Wilson. Redirect is a masterpiece."—Malcolm Gladwell
"Accessible, engaging and consistently WTF-worthy...an instant classic of popular science."—Evening Standard
"This presents a fascinating argument for how humans make sense of the world."—Library Journal
"[In Redirect], a keen observer of the human condition explains how tweaking our personal narratives can have a huge effect on our lives."—Kirkus Reviews
"For those...who find in social psychology a viable vehicle for leading us more surely on the path towards what is true, right and good, Redirect is likely to be a stimulating, valuable read."—New Scientist Culture Lab
"With a deft narrative touch, an engaging metaphor for bringing about psychological change (personal story editing), and a ferocious commitment to scientific evidence, Timothy Wilson has made a remarkable contribution to knowledge."—Robert Cialdini, author of Influence
"Whether you are a parent, educator, employer, or simply someone who cares about making the world a better place, you should read this book."—Sonja Lyubomirsky, Ph.D., author of The How of Happiness
"Redirect is a great book!"—Carol Dweck, PhD, author of Mindset
"Wouldn't it be amazing if a very smart scientist could write a book on happiness, crime, violence, drug and alcohol abuse, parenting, and teenage pregnancy—and sum up all the research in clear and surprising lessons on how we should live our lives? Well, Timothy Wilson is the scientist and Redirect is the book, and it is in fact amazing."—Daniel M. Wegner, Harvard University, author of The Illusion of Conscious Will
"Redirect reveals the hidden meanings we assume in our everyday lives, how these meanings shape our behavior, and how we can change our assumptions and the world. Extraordinary."—Greg Walton, PhD, Department of Psychology, Stanford University
"This should be required reading for any well-intentioned person who wants to make the world a better place."—James W. Pennebaker, author of The Secret Life of Pronouns
"This glorious book shimmers with insights. Timothy Wilson has distilled the field's wisdom and shown us how to use it to change ourselves and the world. This may well be the single most important psychology book ever written."—Daniel Gilbert
Daily Progress
"REDIRECT is a 10-chapter treasure trove of information on various aspects of social psychology....The man who wrote REDIRECT is patently honest and fair in his assessments of all the barriers keeping any of us from being all we can, and might, be....[It's] a book to stir all of one's human instincts and curiosity."
Boston Globe
"Particularly when criticizing various failed social policies and programs, REDIRECT is sensible and reasonably convincing. Wilson...knows his behavioral research and is a fair and careful critic."
Science
"In clear prose that does not trivialize the science, Wilson reviews the many success stories in social psychology....As the scientist Paul C. Stern once wrote, a policy objective of science is to 'separate common sense from common nonsense and make uncommon sense more common.' Wilson's book does science and society a great service by accomplishing precisely this."
New Scientist Culture Lab
"For those...who find in social psychology a viable vehicle for leading us more surely on the path towards what is true, right and good, REDIRECT is likely to be a stimulating, valuable read."
Evening Standard
"Accessible, engaging and consistently WTF-worthy...an instant classic of popular science."
James W. Pennebaker
"Timothy Wilson's book Redirect reminds me why I became a social psychologist. Without solid laboratory and real world research, some of society's most important decisions can easily be guided by faulty beliefs. The genius of Wilson's book is that it points out how mistakes can be made and, at the same time, how research can help us to correct these errors. This should be required reading for any well-intentioned person who wants to make the world a better place. It brings together central issues in psychology, public policy, community activism, and science."
Greg Walton
"One of the foremost psychologists of our time, Timothy Wilson shows us that solving endemic social problems and making ourselves happier, healthier, and more successful is within our grasp. Redirect reveals the hidden meanings we assume in our everyday lives, how these meanings shape our behavior, and how we can change our assumptions and the world. Extraordinary."
David G. Myers
"Renowned social psychologist Timothy Wilson writes for those of us who want to make a real difference in our worlds (and not just to fool ourselves into thinking we're doing so). With wit and wisdom, he shows us how to spare ourselves worthless (or worse) interventions, think smarter, and live well."
Daniel M. Wegner
"Wouldn't it be amazing if a very smart scientist could write a book on happiness, crime, violence, drug and alcohol abuse, parenting, and teenage pregnancy-and sum up all the research in clear and surprising lessons on how we should live our lives? Well, Timothy Wilson is the scientist and Redirect is the book, and it is in fact amazing."
Carol Dweck
"Redirect is a great book! In his uniquely engaging way, Wilson shows how simple techniques can deliver large and lasting personal changes--and convinces us that only good research can give us these techniques."
Sonja Lyubomirsky
"Is it possible to reinvent ourselves, transform our children, and improve our communities? Professor Timothy Wilson proposes an idea that many readers will find revolutionary - namely, that the most effective methods are often deceptively simple. What matters most is not pressuring the people that we want to change, but subtly helping them to shift the stories that they tell about themselves. Whether you are a parent, educator, employer, or simply someone who cares about making the world a better place, you should read this book."
Robert Cialdini
"With a deft narrative touch, an engaging metaphor for bringing about psychological change (personal story editing), and a ferocious commitment to scientific evidence, Timothy Wilson has made a remarkable contribution to knowledge."
Daniel Gilbert
"This glorious book shimmers with insights-an instant classic that will be discussed and quoted for generations. One of the great psychologists of our time, Timothy Wilson has distilled the field's wisdom and shown us how to use it to change ourselves and the world. This may well be the single most important psychology book ever written. Not to be missed!"
Malcolm Gladwell
"There are few academics who write with as much grace and wisdom as Timothy Wilson. Redirect is a masterpiece."
Library Journal
Wilson (psychology, Univ. of Virginia; Strangers to Ourselves: Discovering the Adaptive Unconscious) presents a fascinating argument for how humans make sense of the world. Basing his book on the classic work of Kurt Lewin, Wilson explains that to understand the choices people make, one must understand how they see the world. He believes people can change the way they and others view the world through interventions like story editing, story prompting, and his "do good, be good" approach. Although more relevant for academia, the material is nicely interpreted for lay readers and covers the impact of the author's techniques on improving personal self-esteem, preventing teen pregnancies, reducing teen violence and alcohol and drug abuse, combating prejudice, and achieving personal goals. A plausible and well-documented alternative to David Kinchin's and Victor Volkman's theories of trauma. VERDICT While Wilson's work is well researched and heavily cited, his novel ideas for treating trauma will likely raise eyebrows. Essential for mental-health professionals, especially those working with first responders and members of the military, and highly recommended for all university libraries supporting the helping professions.—Dale Farris, Groves, TX
Kirkus Reviews
Change is hard. Or is it? A keen observer of the human condition explains how tweaking our personal narratives can have a huge effect on our lives.
"I'm such an idiot!"Who hasn't admonished themselves in similar fashion at some point in their lives? The problem, according to Wilson (Social Psychology, 2009, etc.), is that such seemingly innocuous interior narratives can have a profound effect on the way we view ourselves in society. Like the college freshman who muffs her first math test and immediately concludes she's just not cut out for higher education; the little leaguer who strikes out his first time at bat and thereafter confines himself to the dugout. The way we internalize our experiences matters. The good news, writes the author, is that the same toxic narratives that produce drop-outs and bench warmers can just as easily be replaced with positive narratives that promote valedictorians and all-stars. Individually, that means happier, more fulfilling lives. Nationally, it could mean reduced crime, fewer unwanted pregnancies and the end of racism. Wilson looks at how well-meaning people have tried to combat societal ills in the past and concludes that they have been ineffective because they have failed to recognize the importance of core narratives. The same goes for a host of other sociological interventions that on the surface appear sound, but ultimately fail to stand up to scientific scrutiny. That's the second part of Wilson's premise. He's keenly interested in understanding why a certain approach succeeds of feels, and the result is an important examination of the ways we try to ameliorate societal ills.
Rendered in bite-sized portions with ample servings of statistics and case studies, readers should have no trouble digesting any of it—no matter how faulty their own personal narrative about "science books" may be.
