In this in-depth exploration of the dumb things we all do and why we do them, the author sheds new light on the well-known foibles of people such as Martha Stewart, Bill Clinton, Michael Richards, Britney Spears, Don Imus, Eliot Spitzer, Tiger Woods, and Bernie Madoff, as well as common missteps like road rage, telling off your boss or good friends, cheating, shoplifting, and lying. But this is far more than an entertaining read. Based on hundreds of interviews and exhaustive research, Helmreich concludes that this behavior isn't only a result of psychological problems. It's also based on our culture, history, and values. Only when we understand these causes, the author says, can we begin to address our behavior and improve our lives. And he shows us how to do so, by offering concrete suggestions and solutions. Book jacket.

William B. Helmreich, Ph.D., is a noted expert on the sociology of everyday life and risk behavior and is an award-winning author of fourteen books. He has been interviewed by Oprah and Larry King and has appeared on all the major networks to discuss his work. Helmreich has also written for the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Newsday, and many scholarly journals.