Kindle
$18.99
Available instantly
Audible Logo Audiobook
$0.00
with membership trial
Hardcover
$21.99
Audio CD
$24.22
Buy new:
-27% $21.99
FREE delivery Tuesday, May 14 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Ships from: Amazon.com
Sold by: Amazon.com
$21.99 with 27 percent savings
List Price: $30.00

The List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. Except for books, Amazon will display a List Price if the product was purchased by customers on Amazon or offered by other retailers at or above the List Price in at least the past 90 days. List prices may not necessarily reflect the product's prevailing market price.
Learn more
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Tuesday, May 14 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or fastest delivery Friday, May 10. Order within 11 hrs 15 mins
In Stock
$$21.99 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$21.99
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
$11.27
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
Minimal signs of wear. Corners and cover may show wear. May contain highlighting and or writing. May be missing dust jacket. May not include supplemental materials. May be a former library book. Ships direct from Amazon! Minimal signs of wear. Corners and cover may show wear. May contain highlighting and or writing. May be missing dust jacket. May not include supplemental materials. May be a former library book. Ships direct from Amazon! See less
FREE delivery Wednesday, May 15 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or fastest delivery Friday, May 10. Order within 8 hrs 45 mins
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$21.99 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$21.99
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the authors

Daniel Simons
+ Follow
Christopher F. Chabris
+ Follow
See all
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Nobody's Fool: Why We Get Taken In and What We Can Do about It Hardcover – July 11, 2023

by Daniel Simons (Author), Christopher Chabris (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 67 ratings
See all formats and editions
Great on Kindle
Great Experience. Great Value.
iphone with kindle app
Putting our best book forward
Each Great on Kindle book offers a great reading experience, at a better value than print to keep your wallet happy.

Explore your book, then jump right back to where you left off with Page Flip.

View high quality images that let you zoom in to take a closer look.

Enjoy features only possible in digital – start reading right away, carry your library with you, adjust the font, create shareable notes and highlights, and more.

Discover additional details about the events, people, and places in your book, with Wikipedia integration.
Get the free Kindle app: Link to the kindle app page Link to the kindle app page
Enjoy a great reading experience when you buy the Kindle edition of this book. Learn more about Great on Kindle, available in select categories.
View Kindle Edition
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$21.99","priceAmount":21.99,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"21","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"99","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"i8sotlMeZUVdFKxxJiKtA%2BZXRAtTCWdIlKVijBavI%2Fc6jePAHs13DP6DWHCbmptuSvnqSpPeV94GWNlHJeDls2f6jWPiMhjVnwlYMvAnfmnekoQiJkDC%2FaBY5TQ2t2incXCsJ3aDKNJD2IM9UT0jXQ%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$11.27","priceAmount":11.27,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"11","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"27","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"i8sotlMeZUVdFKxxJiKtA%2BZXRAtTCWdIsxVNqpGGr6CFgoMg6By4eI8vXixVl%2BwIIz6guzwOp32XxTm1rcb1NyOMHRPqY%2Bvs%2BAX6Xi9yrTxVG5APEjPOwobBvP47RzHdQw3dpN5ByiMhrnsw74rS5qhcxmKWUL4Qoy5gFZU0ozUy0bPPQzHlPA%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

From two New York Times-bestselling psychologists, “an engaging master class in how to foil purveyors of false promises” (Philip E. Tetlock, author of Superforecasting)
 
From phishing scams to Ponzi schemes, fraudulent science to fake art, chess cheaters to crypto hucksters, and marketers to magicians, our world brims with deception. In Nobody’s Fool, psychologists Daniel Simons and Christopher Chabris show us how to avoid being taken in. They describe the key habits of thinking and reasoning that serve us well most of the time but make us vulnerable—like our tendency to accept what we see, stick to our commitments, and overvalue precision and consistency. Each chapter illustrates their new take on the science of deception, describing scams you’ve never heard of and shedding new light on some you have. Simons and Chabris provide memorable maxims and practical tools you can use to spot deception before it’s too late. 
 
Informative, illuminating, and entertaining, Nobody’s Fool will protect us from charlatans in all their forms—and delight us along the way.  
Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Print length
    336 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Basic Books
  4. Publication date
    July 11, 2023
  5. Grade level
    9 and up
  6. Reading age
    14 years and up
  7. Dimensions
    6.4 x 1.13 x 9.5 inches
  8. ISBN-10
    1541602234
  9. ISBN-13
    978-1541602236
  10. See all details
Next page
The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Frequently bought together

Nobody's Fool: Why We Get Taken In and What We Can Do about It
$21.99
Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 14
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
The Invisible Gorilla: How Our Intuitions Deceive Us
$6.34
Get it May 10 - 15
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
Ships from and sold by BOOK HARVEST.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
One of these items ships sooner than the other.
Show details Hide details
Choose items to buy together.

From the Publisher

Blue/green background with text displayed

yellow background with quote

yellow background with quote

yellow background with quote

yellow background with quote

yellow background with quote

yellow background with quote

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Affable and fleet-footed … fascinating examples … even if we can’t be nobody’s fool, we may become a bit less foolish.”―Wall Street Journal

“In their fascinating new book, they weave outrageous examples of art frauds and scholarly work with meticulously researched insight into why we fall for these deceivers, how we can avoid becoming patsies and why we shouldn’t take it personally when someone tried to dupe us.”―Salon

"An outstanding guide to nonsense for critical readers."―Kirkus (Starred)

"This entry provides smart, succinct analyses based in solid cognitive science principles. The gullible and skeptical alike will find plenty to chew on."―Publishers Weekly

“To know if you have been deceived, you must question what you believe—but we can’t always question everything. In Nobody’s Fool, Simons and Chabris address the more difficult and intriguing question: When should you question what you believe?”―Apollo Robbins, theatrical thief and deception expert

“Through captivating storytelling and insightful analysis, Nobody’s Fool provides a fascinating exploration of the human mind’s vulnerability to deception and offers practical tools to help us become more rational decision-makers."―Annie Duke, author of Thinking in Bets and Quit

“Nobody’s Fool is a fascinating and fun read that explores the limits of the human mind and teaches you how to avoid being hoodwinked. Simons and Chabris are outstanding storytellers and scientists who’ve written just the book we all need in a world where misinformation, scams, and everyday duplicity put us at increasing risk.”―Katy Milkman, author of the Wall Street Journal bestseller How to Change

“Rarely do you find such practical advice combined with such delicious entertainment. In an age of con artists, charlatans, and conspiracy peddlers, Nobody’s Fool is an essential survival guide for investors, consumers, and citizens. I wondered if the authors could possibly top The Invisible Gorilla, a classic in its field. They have—and we’re all better armed against fraud as a result.”―Diana B. Henriques, author of the New York Times bestseller The Wizard of Lies

“Nobody's Fool is science writing at its best. A must-read for anybody who loves reading about fascinating social-science studies and compelling stories—or just wants to get tricked less.”―Seth Stephens-Davidowitz, New York Times–bestselling author of Everybody Lies and Don’t Trust Your Gut

“The vast menagerie of scams detailed in Nobody's Fool makes for entertaining — albeit frightening—reading. Thankfully, Simons and Chabris excavate the inner workings of con-artistry and explain in great detail why we fall for it, again and again, and how we can stop. This book is an inoculation for your brain.”―David Epstein, author of the New York Times bestseller Range

“This book is worth vastly more than its purchase price. It shows, in rich detail, that con artists around the world use strikingly similar tactics to ensnare their victims. Daniel Simons and Christopher Chabris offer an engaging master class in how to foil purveyors of false promises.”―Philip E. Tetlock, author of Superforecasting

“Whether you are wondering how frauds like Enron, Theranos, and FTX managed to fool so many people for so much of the time or just want to know how to protect yourself from the Next Big Fleece, Simons and Chabris have got you covered in this tour of how con artists, hoaxers, and troll farms prey on human cognitive weaknesses.”―Gary Marcus, author of Guitar Zero, Kluge, and Rebooting AI

“In an era when more information is available to us than ever before, when claims of ‘fake news’ might themselves be fake news, Simons and Chabris offer a vital tool to not only inoculate ourselves against getting infected by misinformation, but also prevent us from spreading it to others.”―David McRaney, author of How Minds Change

"Nobody's Fool is a must-buy for all investors who want to improve their decision-making."―Guy Spier, Managing Partner of Aquamarine Capital and author of The Education of a Value Investor

"It's hard enough to think well in everyday life, much less when someone is trying to swindle you. Nobody's Fool is well written, has lots of great stories, and guides you to think twice appropriately."―Michael J. Mauboussin, author of Think Twice and The Success Equation

About the Author

Daniel Simons is a professor in the department of psychology at the University of Illinois, where he directs the Visual Cognition Laboratory. He lives in Champaign, Illinois.

Christopher Chabris is a cognitive scientist who has taught at Union College and Harvard University. He lives in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Basic Books (July 11, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1541602234
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1541602236
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 14 years and up
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 9 and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.17 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.4 x 1.13 x 9.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 67 ratings

About the authors

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Previous page
  1. Daniel Simons

    Daniel Simons

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Daniel Simons is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Illinois where he also has appointments in the Gies College of Business and the Sandage Department of Advertising. His first book, co-authored with Christopher Chabris, is titled "The Invisible Gorilla." Their second book, "Nobody's Fool: Why We Get Taken In And What We Can Do About It" will be published by Basic Books on July 11, 2023. Simons received his B.A. from Carleton College and his Ph.D. from Cornell University. After five years on the faculty at Harvard University, he moved to Illinois in 2002. His scholarly research focuses on the limits of human perception, memory, and awareness, and he is best known for his research that showing people are far less aware of their visual surroundings than they think. In addition to a number of academic honors and awards, he and Chabris jointly received the 2004 Ig Nobel Prize in Psychology—an award for research that first makes you laugh and then makes you think—for showing that it's possible to hide a "gorilla" in plain sight. His research appears regularly in the popular media (and top scientific journals), and his studies and demonstrations have been exhibited dozens of science museums worldwide.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Christopher F. Chabris

    Christopher F. Chabris

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Christopher Chabris is a professor at Geisinger, a Pennsylvania healthcare system, where he co-directs the Behavioral Insights Team. He previously taught at Union College and Harvard University, and is a Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science. Chris received his Ph.D. in psychology and A.B. in computer science from Harvard. His research focuses on decision-making, attention, intelligence, and behavior genetics. His work has been published in leading journals including Science, Nature, PNAS, and Perception, and he has published essays in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and Washington Post. Chris is also a chess master, games enthusiast, and co-author of the book "Nobody's Fool: Why We Get Taken In and What We Can Do About It," as well as the bestseller "The Invisible Gorilla: How Our Intuitions Deceive Us" (published in 21 languages).

    See more on the author's page
Next page

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
67 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Tom Coleman, Pawsitivity
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, funny, and helpful!
Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2023
Verified Purchase
Whether it’s academic scams, for-profit fraud, or political cons, they all have certain elements in common. This book explains the different ways we can be fooled, and why, with entertaining examples and stories. I loved that a few of the elements described involved some pretty sophisticated statistical analysis, but since it was all explained without jargon or formulas, I always followed all the explanations and learned a lot! Highly recommended to anyone who likes nonfiction about how the world works!
8 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Michael Wiley
5.0 out of 5 stars Great sequel to Invisible Gorilla 🦍
Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2023
Verified Purchase
The authors provide some important insights into how easily we are unknowingly fooled by others. I particularly found the chapter about expectations helpful
4 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Kim Worley
5.0 out of 5 stars AND MY FLAX
Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2023
Verified Purchase
Only halfway but enjoying incredibly
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Don Moore
5.0 out of 5 stars A Masterpiece of Social Science
Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2023
Dan Simons and Chris Chabris have masterfully crafted a book that explores the inner workings of human trust, intuition, credulity, and confidence. The result is stupendously insightful, delightfully entertaining, and incredibly useful.

From the very first page, I was ensnared by the authors' incredible ability to seamlessly blend scientific rigor with captivating storytelling. "Nobody's Fool" not only challenges our preconceived notions of how our own vulnerability to deception, but it does so with an unparalleled elegance that makes even the most complex concepts accessible to readers. I was particularly impressed by their honest and insightful discussion of scientific evidence, credulity, and our vulnerability to fraud. The authors are courageous in discussing cases of scientific misconduct; they bravely call out the individuals and institutions that shamelessly profiteer off lies and shoddy research findings.

I loved “The Invisible Gorilla” and, if it is possible, I was even more captivated by “Nobody’s Fool.” The synergy between Dan Simons and Chris Chabris is nothing short of magical. Their writing style is a harmonious blend of wit, clarity, and intellectual curiosity that transforms even the most complex psychological phenomena into an engaging and enlightening adventure. I am in awe of their ability to weave together personal anecdotes, fascinating examples, and cutting-edge research to create a text that is both enlightening and entertaining.

Simons and Chabris guide us through a journey that uncovers the astounding limits of our attention, perception, and awareness. Each insight is complemented by a compelling story that makes the lessons come to life. The authors' insightful exploration of the tools of deception left me more aware of my own mind’s functioning and my own vulnerability to scams.

"Nobody's Fool" is an extraordinary opus that sets a new standard for non-fiction. Simons and Chabris have gifted us a book that shatters illusions, challenges conventions, and invites us to explore the very fabric of our perceptions. Prepare to be captivated, enlightened, and forever changed by the remarkable insights that await you within its pages.
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
mike meyer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great analysis of why fraudulent schemes work and what we can do to protect ourselves
Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2023
Nobody’s Fool contains a thoughtful analysis of why fraudulent schemes work so often and what we can do to protect ourselves from falling for them. The authors, both cognitive psychologists, identify four features of typical human thought including our natural tendencies to focus too narrowly, accepting information too quickly when it meets our expectations, making premature commitments, and sacrificing detailed analysis for efficiency, all of which make us susceptible to fraud. They then suggest new ways of critical thinking to improve our odds of avoiding becoming victims. They discuss four hooks, aspects of information such as familiarity, consistency, precision, and potency that make pitches inherently more appealing to us. Anyone can be scammed, but armed with a knowledge of our typical thought habits and hooks, the reader will have a better chance of detecting fraud and avoiding losses.

This book is entertaining as well as being informative. While the book does not attempt to catalog every known fraud, the authors discuss several recent frauds such as Bernie Madoff and Theranos and explain why they succeeded for so long. They cover dozens of other interesting examples of fraud from crypto to political polling. They also discuss a number of interesting proven quantitative techniques for analyzing raw data which have been successfully used to detect fraud, including medical test results and a variety of academic studies.

Many of us see internet phishing attempts, telephone calls, and other scams on a regular basis. Having read Nobody’s Fool, I now have a better appreciation for how these fraud attempts are constructed; and more importantly, I will be better prepared to ask the necessary tough questions to make sure that I am not one of their victims.
6 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Telebiopic
3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting
Reviewed in Canada on April 7, 2024
Verified Purchase
more like a compilation of popular stories
Report
Uta C. Groeschel
5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining and elucidating
Reviewed in Germany on September 23, 2023
Verified Purchase
Understanding our vulnerabilities and knowing protective measures is a worthwhile endeavor. Having fun along the way with a pletora of interesting examples and stories is quite a treat. Great footnotes, great focus. Worth your time.
Report