Sophistication

This unique self-help book brings together serious neuroscience and seriously deadpan humor, resulting in an opus that can best be described as Sigmund Freud meets Dave Barry meets Malcom Gladwell-esque amateur science-minus the amateur part.

"Sophistication "suggests how readers can become more competent thinkers, able to interpret complex issues and make better decisions in all aspects of life.

Bernstein breaks humanity down into four personality types: shmo, schmuck, schadenfreudist, and sophisticate. The goal, for anyone hoping to get ahead in life, is to become a sophisticate-and learning how is a real trip

The book lampoons everything from the self-help genre itself (Dale Carnegie's famous advice boils down to influencing people by using their name a lot, being friendly, and wearing a hat) to Major League Baseball (it's an orthodox religion) to Vladimir Putin (Stalin Lite). "Sophistication" offers keen insights into the biological, psychological, and sociological causes of behavior that could help you achieve success-or not.

Either way, this book takes you on a fascinating foray into the inner workings of the human mind.