Short Synopsis
Through ten examples of ingenious experiments by some of psychology's most innovative thinkers, Lauren Slater traces the evolution of the century's most pressing concerns—free will, authoritarianism, conformity, and morality.

Full Synopsis
Beginning with B. F. Skinner and the legend of a child raised in a box, Lauren Slater takes us from a deep empathy with Stanley Milgram's obedience subjects to a funny and disturbing re-creation of an experiment questioning the validity of psychiatric diagnosis. Previously described only in academic journals and textbooks, these often daring experiments have never before been narrated as stories, chock-full of plot, wit, personality, and theme.

"Voice-over narrator Jo Anna Perrin's lively rendition aptly realizes Slater's intention to spice up these experiments to appeal to lay listeners." ---Library Journal Audio Review

"As much urgent reassessment as historical re-creation . . . one of the most informative and readable recent books on psychology." ---Publishers Weekly Starred Review

"Passionately and poetically, [Lauren Slater] humanizes the calculating inspiration and inhumane consequences such experimentation conferred. . . . refreshingly honest, and human." ---Booklist

"Vivid, insightful account of the experiments that changed the field of psychology in the last century. . . . told with wit and warmth." ---Kirkus

“Slater creates for the reader a sense of intimacy with scientists and their subjects.” ---Erik Strand, Psychology Today

Publishers Weekly Review