NF

Both the title and the sub-title are topics I'd read whole books about. That they're smooshed together was an extra special treat. Everything in this book is quality, the research is impeccable and I admire his inquisitive mind. However, the title/sub-title are really just half of the book. The other half is random musings - albeit all fascinating. However, that half should be a separate book unto itself, or a collection of essays. He should have spent more time actually sticking to the titles of the book. He has plenty to say, I'm sure. Still, he's an excellent writer, with a genuine curiosity about the world. I suspect I'll add him to the list of writers whose full canon I wish to read. ( )

The beginning of the book was great. A very interesting read. Just why do smart people do stupid things? I work in the chemical industry and found many of his insights instructive in explaining why accidents happen. But as other reviewers have noted, in the second half of the book he just goes off the deep end into nonsense. It sounds like from the other reviewers that his previous book was worth reading all the way through so if I see it I'll pick it up. ( )

How could you replicate a similar book? Subject both Malcolm Gladwell and Bill Bryson to a bad case of ADD. Join both of 'em up with David Foster Wallace and Charles Manson. Add Dr. Ian Malcolm (The Jeff Goldblum character from Jurassic Park). Find an editor - on acid.

Gonzales' second effort starts off as a lucid treatment of the psychological reasons why folks might execute stupid behaviors. Very informative. But after a few chapters, all hell breaks loose, and the author goes on and on with the most bizarre similes and anecdotes. The sex life of Bonobos, the limbic system, Mexican Indios' archery prowess, fractals, trash and grocery product variety, environmental degradation, trilobites, classic sociological studies from the 60s, the stock market, entropy, microcellular structures, the universe - all of these subjects are covered, and sometimes in the same paragraph. What most of these "examples" specifically have to do with human behavior, is not made particularly clear.

The epilogue is about the death of his father - that is all.

The author would make an incredible guest at a cocktail party. But his writings are not for the structured thinker.

If this sometimes entertaining book had a different subtitle (How about, "An Incomplete Thesis on Stupid Behaviors and a Variety of Other Ramblings") -- I'd add another star or two, in a heartbeat. ( )

I read about 1/3 of this, but could not get interested. A very scattered mishmosh of trivia. ( )