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  • What Makes Us Tick?

  • Making Sense of Who We Are and the Desires That Drive Us
  • By: Hugh Mackay
  • Narrated by: Hugh Mackay
  • Length: 12 hrs and 49 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (38 ratings)

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What Makes Us Tick? cover art

What Makes Us Tick?

By: Hugh Mackay
Narrated by: Hugh Mackay
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Publisher's Summary

Ever wondered what 'human nature' really means?

This new edition of What Makes Us Tick takes us beneath the often overwhelming surface noise of politics, economics, new technology and social change to explore something that hasn't changed: the 10 desires that drive us all and, now in a new prologue, the seven characteristics that define us as a species.

From our desire to be taken seriously, to be useful and to be loved, to the desire for more, the desire for control and the desire for something to believe in, these universal human motivations powerfully influence our behaviour towards each other.

Hugh Mackay goes to the heart of what it means to be human. This is an audiobook that explains us to ourselves and, in the process, helps us understand each other a little better. It also encourages us to lead more generous, compassionate lives.
©2018 Hugh Mackay (P)2018 Hachette Australia Audio
Psychology Social Sciences Sociology Relationships
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What listeners say about What Makes Us Tick?

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Profile Image for Jennifer

A must-have to understand modern Australia

Fascinating and comprehensive view of Australian society today. Liked Hugh's voice- kind, compassionate. 1.15x speed was perfect for listening while driving

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for Michael Matusik

A national treasure!

I have read all of Hugh's books including his novels. And I am glad that some of these are now out via Audible. Hugh's reading of his work here is also very good. Sometimes an author doesn't get it right when it comes to reading their own work. Hugh's passion for the subject and his lilt in his voice - sometimes he even chuckles - made me smile on numerous occasions. This version is also updated, bringing it up to date regarding Trump, Brexit, Aussie politics and the current state of the world. Well done Hugh. Now please audio the rest of your work, including your novels. I wait with bated breath!

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10 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for Hayley

It’s the Vibe

I found the contents of this book incredibly interesting but struggled to keep my eyes open as Hughs voice is so soothing, I kept nodding off oops. in fact, his voice reminds me of Bud Tingwell and his guest appearance as the QC in the movie The Castle - “it’s not a house, it’s a home”.
Fascinating book none the less. The need to be taken seriously explains many things.

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    2 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for Venetia

Tedious and unsubstantiated

Sometimes an author just shouldn't narrate their own book. When I listened to the free sample, I thought Hugh Mackay's plodding reading style merely overshadowed his fascinating content. And 'What Makes Us Tick' ought to have been fascinating! Certainly, Hugh offers up the occasional insightful or provoking thought, but he doesn't back them up with convincing argument and substantial research. No, long lists of potential examples are NOT sufficient in themselves as evidence, Hugh, especially when (as I suspect) you've just pulled them out of your head at a moment's notice. Give me some substance or at least liven up your reading style!

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2 people found this helpful

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.