Corruptible

Who Gets Power and How It Changes Us

By: Brian Klaas

Narrated by: Brian Klaas

An “absorbing, provocative, and far-reaching” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) look at what power is, who gets it, and what happens when they do, based on over 500 interviews with those who (temporarily, at least) have had the upper hand - from the creator of the Power Corrupts podcast and Washington Post columnist Brian Klaas.

Does power corrupt, or are corrupt people drawn to power? Are tyrants made or born? Are entrepreneurs who embezzle and cops who kill the result of poorly designed systems or are they just bad people? If you were suddenly thrust into a position of power, would you be able to resist the temptation to line your pockets or seek revenge against your enemies?

To answer these questions, Corruptible draws on over 500 interviews with some of the world’s top leaders - from the noblest to the dirtiest - including presidents and philanthropists as well as rebels, cultists, and dictators. Some of the fascinating insights include: how facial appearance determines who we pick as leaders, why narcissists make more money, why some people don’t want power at all and others are drawn to it out of a psychopathic impulse, and why being the “beta” (second in command) may actually be the optimal place for health and well-being.

Corruptible also features a wealth of counterintuitive examples from history and social science: You’ll meet the worst bioterrorist in American history, hit the slopes with a ski instructor who once ruled Iraq, and learn why the inability of chimpanzees to play baseball is central to the development of human hierarchies.

Based on deep, unprecedented research from around the world, and filled with “unexpected insights…the most important lesson of Corruptible is that when psychopaths inadvertently reveal their true selves, the institutions that they plague must take action that is swift, brutal, and merciless” (Business Insider).

©2021 Brian Klaas. All rights reserved. (P)2021 Hodder & Stoughton Limited. All rights reserved.

Fantastic book!

One of the best books I’ve listened to in the past few years.
Outstanding stories, research and insights.
I’m going to listen to it again.

It's not about any specific individual!

You will make your own mind up about who fits the title of the book. Either a financier or a politician.

Great Blend of Anecdote and Skepticism

A very enjoyable yet thought provoking summary of the subject in layperson terms. A must read for anyone in leadership or management.

compelling narrative, important topic

the relationship between power and corruption is a very important issue in our society deserving a thorough study. this book is a great first strong stone into it.

What we should've learned in school

This book is stacked with eye-opening information on the dynamics of power and how humans interact with it. How this isn't regarded as an obligatory read in Norwegian schools (or anywhere else for that matter) is beyond my understanding.

I cannot recommend this book enough.

Loved

Brian Klaas is just so brilliant. A fascinating book. Highly recommend to anyone who wants to understand the political & social world.

Paradigm shifting

This book is really well done. It is grounded in research and provides information that has the potential to transform our society. I wish every single person would read it, so we could get on the same page and demand changes in the way leaders lead.

Both Timely and Timeless

Well researched and beautifully presented material. I appreciate that the author doesn’t stop at simply exposing the problems of corruption in modern society but also offers solutions that we, as a society, can choose to implement, both at the level of household or neighborhood to the highest levels of governance.

I for one genuinely believe that his suggestion of a shadow panel created randomly and representing the majority of the population created to explore solutions for the big problems that we are confronted with today would be the first step in avoiding the hyper partisan politicization of government that we are experiencing today and put our elected officials on notice when they are being corrupt and ignoring the will of the people. My only suggestion would be that we may want to change the name “shadow panel” to something that doesn’t sound quite so Orwellian.

Excellent read! Learned a lot,

Thanks very much Brian! It all makes so much more sense. 5 stars for real!

Really fantastic read into the psychology of power

It is so important to see our fallacies and biases in how we gain and control power, as one of the masses and for the ones on top. It is a facinating look into the story behind the story and the data that leads to conclusions we haven't considered before. If braiding sweatgrass opens your mind to the world of natural wonders and how to step softly into our footprint on the world this book gives us the tools to see how far reaching our power dynamics are and begin to recognize how to craft better systems and leaders for our world.