The Social Animal

The Hidden Sources of Love, Character, and Achievement

David Brooks examines how unconscious processes, social connections, and cultural norms shape individual lives and collective success. Through the intertwined lives of two fictional characters, he draws on research from psychology, neuroscience, sociology, and behavioral economics. The book argues that character, love, achievement, and decision-making emerge less from isolated rational choice than from relationships, habit, emotion, and environment.

by David Brooks

Random House · First published 2011 · 424 pages