Try free for 30 days

  • Plays Well with Others

  • The Surprising Science Behind Why Everything You Know About Relationships Is (Mostly) Wrong
  • By: Eric Barker
  • Narrated by: Roger Wayne
  • Length: 6 hrs and 55 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (71 ratings)

1 credit a month to use on any title, yours to keep (you’ll use your first credit on this title).
Stream or download thousands of included titles.
Access to exclusive deals and discounts.
$16.45 a month after 30 day trial. Cancel anytime.
Plays Well with Others cover art

Plays Well with Others

By: Eric Barker
Narrated by: Roger Wayne
Try for $0.00

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $21.99

Buy Now for $21.99

Pay using voucher balance (if applicable) then card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.

Publisher's Summary

From the author of the Wall Street Journal bestseller Barking Up the Wrong Tree comes a cure-all for our increasing emotional distance and loneliness—a smart, surprising, and thoroughly entertaining guide to help build better friendships, reignite love, and get closer to others, whether you’re an extrovert or introvert, socially adept or socially anxious.

Can you judge a book by its cover?

Is a friend in need truly a friend indeed?

Does love conquer all?

Is no man an island?

In Plays Well With Others, Eric Barker dives into these questions, drawing on science to reveal the truth beyond the conventional wisdom about human relationships. Combining his compelling storytelling and humor, Barker explains what hostage negotiation techniques and marital arguments have in common, how an expert con-man lied his way into a twenty-year professional soccer career, and why those holding views diametrically opposed to our own actually have the potential to become our closest, most trusted friends.

Leveraging the best evidence available—free of platitudes or magical thinking—Barker analyzes multiple sides of an issue before rendering his verdict. What he’s uncovered is surprising, counterintuitive, and timely—and will change the way you interact in the world and with those around you just when you need it most.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Eric Barker (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

What listeners say about Plays Well with Others

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    53
  • 4 Stars
    16
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    52
  • 4 Stars
    11
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    45
  • 4 Stars
    16
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Lots of great stories … with a point.

Plays well with others us full of great stories that lead to a very interesting conclusion. A great book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Such a timely book for me.

I avoided it in my Audible library for 4-6 weeks just in time though to avoid making some serious long term mistakes. Eric Barkers 2 books have been of the most influential 10 books in my life. Thank you 😊

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Absolute gem!

i absolutely love this book! this is different to other communication or relationship books I have read, the content, tips and perspectives are supported by facts and funny stories too. the narrator did a great job reading the book, I couldn't contain my laughter when I was listening to this book on the train. highly recommend!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Challenges your thinking

I really enjoy the style and content of Eric's writing. His first book had me thinking for quite some time and so I was looking forward to reading this book - and I am pleased to say that I was not disappointed.

Other than the many thoughts that he presented, the biggest twist in all that he said is to be found at the end. I really like the fact that all of his research and thinking led him on his own journey of discovery. No pretense here - while Eric knows a lot, he shows a real learner's mindset in the way that he has written this.

Powerful and entertaining.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Scientifically based, wide read, novel information

I usually expect relationship books to cover a few key points we already know and just need reminding of. I also expect a bunch of filler and repetition about the same points over and over. It's not the case for this book.

This book is packed with information from start to finish. Too much to take in for a single listen. All the points made are supported by academic research of some kind. The connections he makes between disciplines are remarkable. Later chapters are very poignant and beautifully written.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Another brilliant book from Eric Barker

Well researched with data strung together in such an engaging way. Eric's ability to interweave facts with emotion, humour and insight is second to none. Highly recommend this book to anyone interested in becoming a better human.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Poignant

As a parent to kids growing up through a childhood I can’t imagine, ‘Plays well with others’ was a timely, entertaining and well referenced enough to give me the credibility to use it to helps friends make sense of what they’re experiencing.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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.