Science journalist David Robson makes something very clear early on in this book: this is NOT going to be one of those books (like Rhonda Byrne’s best-selling The Secret) that insists you can wish yourself to become rich or powerful. As he makes clear, we cannot — for example — prevent ourselves from ageing. But can influence how we age.

This is an evidence-based popular work on how what we expect influences how we live. Some of the studies are mind-blowing. I knew that placebos work nearly as well as real medicines in many cases. (Which explains the “success” of some alternative treatments.) But what I didn’t know was that studies have now shown that even when people are told they are taking a placebo, it can still work. Amazing.

A very good, positive and upbeat book – highly recommended. ( )