What Makes a Hero?, Elizabeth Svoboda
What Makes a Hero?, Elizabeth Svoboda
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What Makes a Hero?
The Suprising Science of Selflessness

Author: Elizabeth Svoboda

Narrator: Rose Itzcovitz

Unabridged: 6 hr 46 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Ascent Audio

Published: 08/29/2013


Synopsis

An entertaining investigation into the biology and psychology of why we sacrifice for other people

Researchers are now applying the lens of science to study heroism for the first time. How do biology, upbringing, and outside influences intersect to produce altruistic and heroic behavior? And how can we encourage this behavior in corporations, classrooms, and individuals?

Using dozens of fascinating real-life examples, Elizabeth Svoboda explains how our genes compel us to do good for others, how going through suffering is linked to altruism, and how acting heroic can greatly improve your mental health. She also reveals the concrete things we can do to encourage our most heroic selves to step forward.

It’s a common misconception that heroes are heroic just because they’re innately predisposed to be that way. Svoboda shows why it’s not simply a matter of biological hardwiring and how anyone can be a hero if they're committed to developing their heroic potential.

About Elizabeth Svoboda

Elizabeth Svoboda is a science writer who has contributed to The New York Times, Psychology Today, and O, The Oprah Magazine. Her first book, What Makes a Hero?: The Surprising Science of Selflessness, came out in 2013 and was excerpted in Discover and The Wall Street Journal. She lives in San Jose, California with her husband and son.


Reviews

Goodreads review by James

This was a decent book on altruism but didn't have much to do with heroism. There's a lot more that makes a hero than just being altruistic but the author just focused on her skewed and limited view of what makes a hero. It was very disappointing.......more

Goodreads review by Polina

I am glad this book has found its way to life. Writing books is an art and a hard labour. So thank you for producing this important piece. It has many many flaws but lets hop it is a start for the author. The author seems to be in love with the authority of Zimbardo and Milgram, the most reknown psy......more

This book may have explained the science of why human give. Becoming a hero is already wired in us it just needs some time to develop within us. Example donating blood, kidney ([URL not allowed]-membership, [URL not allowed]-your-spare) , eyes takes a lot of thinking before deciding......more

Goodreads review by Steve

I was pleasantly surprised by What Makes a Hero by Elizabeth Svoboda. The journalistic approach towards interpreting the social scientific perspective on selflessness, altruism, and compassion was a strength. Svoboda made more of an effort than most by going beyond interpreting the studies and actua......more

Goodreads review by Aldwin

Gives so many examples of heroic action. You might as well name the book as "Compilations of Heroic Actions of All Time". The book use many difficult words so it's pretty hard to understand. Unfortunately, those unusual words don't make the text more beautiful, but make it annoying instead. I don't......more