Plays Well with Others

The Surprising Science Behind Why Everything You Know About Relationships Is (Mostly) Wrong

By: Eric Barker

Narrated by: Roger Wayne

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 questions, 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.

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.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Eric Barker (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

The secret(s) of happiness

This book is filled with well presented and important insights. It’s also a very enjoyable read due to the entertaining stories and humor.

My highest recommendation for anyone who is searching for more meaning in life.

insightful book

Let the Contant presented in “plays well with others". At first, I was a bit skeptical, and wondered if I spent my Audible token wisely, but as I got into the book, I really resonated with a lot of the points that the author and decided to join his newsletter to get more information on the topic. I would certainly recommend this book.

Amazing Book!

Valuable Information! I have been feeling lonely in my life even though I am surrounded by people. I didn't understand why and I felt unique in my struggle. I found this book very comforting. Thank you!

The perfect book on relationships if you love data and studies that provide scientific evidence to its claims

As a clinician, this book was perfect. So jam packed with verifiable data that proves that the concepts discussed in the book are backed by real evidence. Such a great guide to creating and maintaining relationships of all types. I specifically found the section on romantic relationships to be extremely beneficial, as it discusses evidence based methods to increase your likelihood of long term happiness and success in a relationship/marriage.

If you aren’t into data the book is still chock full of true stories that illustrate the authors points well and keep you entertained, but I can see how it might be overwhelming and you may need to listen to different parts a second time to fully comprehend everything since it can be dense. But overall this has been the best relationship book I’ve ever read, and it has really helped shape friendships, work relationships, and my relationship with my partner in a very positive way.

The last section was so enlightening

The last section was much more important for me than the others, but only because I have been studying the first parts for many years. It's all really super helpful. It should be required reading in high schools.

Eric delivers again.

I have placed this book in the hands of my daughter in hope she will learn many lessons that I have stumbled around and missed.

Very insightful!

Great book, very insightful and entertaining. Eric’s humor is an added bonus! Highly recommended to better understand human connections.

One of the best

This is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. Big fan of Mr Barker and his research and story-telling. Funny, thought provoking and potentially life changing. The end brought tears to my eyes. Can’t wait for his next book

If you like Barker’s first book you be even happier with this one!

Phenomenal book. Eric takes through his unique scientific and witty explanation of what makes people tick and how form better relationships. He even self admittedly breaks from some of the science and admits that some facts defy logic.

He wraps the book up beautifully at the end as well, but I’m not going to spoil that!

Buy this book yesterday!

excellent book - thank you Eric! Very well written

very relevant. very timely. Eric's book is a wonderful tying together and explanation on a variety of interpersonal situations with thought provoking solutions.