REVIEWS
New York Times Book Review "in the category.... of works of brilliant originality that stimulate and enlighten and can sometimes even change the way we understand the world"
The Boston Globe "a clever, cogent, and enjoyable look at the the latest thinking about humans in community"
The Financial Times "Rational, individual action is out, it seems. The network is here."
Oprah's Fall Reading Guide "explores the startling intricacy of social networks"
City Journal "fascinating... and well-written"
Seed Magazine "blockbuster," "engaging and insightful"
Science News "argues convincingly that it's not enough to understand how individuals behave... you are your brother's keeper"
The New Scientist "an illuminating account of the pervasive and often bizarre qualities of social networks," "profound"
Kirkus Reviews "groundbreaking," "say goodbye to the idea of individual choice"
ABC Biggest Books of 2009 "...one of the most important works of the decade. In a clear and engaging way, the authors apply their creative and provocative findings on social networks to understanding not only our social relationships but also the forces that shape our world. Full of fascinating stories and examples, this book is essential in understanding our very nature."
A Business Week Top 20 Business Book of 2009 "...a persuasive case for the power of social networks to affect everything and everyone."
DesignObserver.com "...brings startling clarity to the idea that we don't live in groups — we live in networks."
GOOD Magazine: 15 Books You Must Read in 2010 "Why read? Obesity, smoking, and happiness, Christakis and Fowler find, are all socially transmitted behaviors."
The Guardian "Extraordinariily rich in insights."
FOREIGN REVIEWS
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
Christakis and Fowler have written the book on the exciting new science of social networks. With passion and precision, these two internationally renowned scientists expose the invisible webs that connect each of us to the other, and in so doing cast our lives here together in an astonishing new light. We think we are individuals who control our own fates, but as Christakis and Fowler demonstrate, we are merely cells in the nervous system of a much greater beast. If someone you barely know reads Connected, it could change your life forever. How? Read it yourself and find out.
— Daniel Gilbert, author of Stumbling on Happiness
From health and happiness to fads and financial markets, Christakis and Fowler take us on a dazzling tour of the world of social networks. And in showing how these networks matter in our individual lives, the authors also make the deeper point that 'network thinking' is the key to understanding how all our lives fit together.
— Duncan Watts, author of Six Degrees: The Science of a Connected Age
An old adage tells us, 'You can't choose your family.' After reading Connected, you will find that you can't choose many things in your life. Others choose them for you! Christakis and Fowler take a fresh look at an old idea: that who we know matters. Connected is a lively, well-written account of social networks and their power to shape our lives. Complicated ideas become easy to understand and the mysteries of science unfold in front of your eyes. The world becomes smaller and more meaningful after reading this engaging book.
— Sudhir Venkatesh, author of Gang Leader for a Day
A God's-eye view of social relationships that may make you dizzy. Every business leader, teacher, and parent should see their life from this vantage.
— Chip Heath, author of Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die
What makes us human - for good and bad - is our social nature. Nowhere is this complex, wonderful, and sometimes dark part of us more clearly revealed than in Connected. In a social world exploding with new ways to interact, Connected is a user's guide for ourselves in the 21st century.
— Dan Ariely, author of Predictably Irrational
This wonderful book by Christakis and Fowler could well be one of the most important works of the decade. In a clear and engaging way, the authors apply their creative and provocative findings on social networks to understanding not only our social relationships but also the forces that shape our world. Full of fascinating stories and examples, this book is essential in understanding our very nature. A must read.
— Ed Diener, author of Happiness
Margaret Thatcher said there is no such thing as society. Hillary Clinton wrote that it takes a village. In their new book, Christakis and Fowler write, 'We don't live in groups, we live in networks,' and they back this up with dozens of interconnected stories of research findings by themselves and others, ranging from bank runs to suicide prevention, from nut allergies among schoolchildren to epidemics in virtual worlds, from the spread of happiness to the spread of voting. The combination of speculation and science is fascinating and leaves me eager to learn about the next wave of research in this area.
— Andrew Gelman, author of Red State, Blue State