Shop Trolls
Your audiobook is waiting!
Enjoy a free trial on us
$0.00
  • One credit a month to pick any title from our entire premium selection to keep (you’ll use your first credit now).
  • Unlimited listening on select audiobooks, Audible Originals, and podcasts.
  • You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
  • $14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel online anytime.
Learn more about membership
Sold and delivered by Audible, an Amazon company
List Price: $19.79
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible’s Conditions Of Use. and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Sold and delivered by Audible, an Amazon company

Plays Well with Others: The Surprising Science Behind Why Everything You Know About Relationships Is (Mostly) Wrong Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Eric Barker (Author), Roger Wayne (Narrator), HarperAudio (Publisher)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,014 ratings
See all formats and editions

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.

Previous slide of product details
  1. Listening Length
    6 hours and 55 minutes
  2. Author
    Eric Barker
  3. Narrator
    Roger Wayne
  4. Audible release date
    May 10, 2022
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    HarperAudio
  7. ASIN
    B09CWDM2MR
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
Next slide of product details

Read & Listen

Switch between reading the Kindle book & listening to the Audible audiobook with Whispersync for Voice.
Get the Audible audiobook for the reduced price of $13.19 after you buy the Kindle book.
$0.99/month for the first 3 months
For a limited time, save 90% on Audible. Get this deal

Product details

Listening Length 6 hours and 55 minutes
Author Eric Barker
Narrator Roger Wayne
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date May 10, 2022
Publisher HarperAudio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B09CWDM2MR
Best Sellers Rank #23,877 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#104 in Social Psychology
#137 in Medical Social Psychology & Interactions
#231 in Popular Social Psychology & Interactions

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
1,014 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. They appreciate the author's insights and science-backed advice on how to navigate life with others. The humor and storytelling are described as delightful, amusing, and playful. Readers praise the writing style as well-written, conversational, and actionable. They also appreciate the practical stories that gradually lead into more stories. Overall, customers find the book useful and effective in conveying the author's research and formula.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
ReadabilityInsightHumorWriting styleStorytellingEffectiveness
97 customers mention "Readability"97 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. They appreciate the stories and useful content. The book teaches valuable life skills and provides thought-provoking insights in every chapter.

"Great read- excellent insight backed by research and wit...." Read more

"...It works really well, and it's not only entertaining, it's often touching, and funny, I highlighted a bunch of passages with actionable info for..." Read more

"...Interesting read, that diverges into many topics and situations....oh, and the science of it...." Read more

"...Great read for anyone who interacts with other humans - Thanks Eric - can't wait to read what you put out next!" Read more

95 customers mention "Insight"95 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful and informative. They appreciate the author's research and advice on how to navigate life with others. The book provides a good blend of humor, facts, and stories. It backs up all its commentary with science and cites all references. Readers mention it has more important things to say about society, human happiness, and how to navigate relationships.

"...Understanding the importance of belonging and loneliness has never been more important than today. Definitely will be recommending to “friends”." Read more

"...He has a good blend of humor, facts, and stories. With as much science that is packed into this book, it is a very easy read...." Read more

"...Basically, this book is both extremely entertaining and practically useful, and thus is easily the best book I've read about relationships...." Read more

"...Interesting read, that diverges into many topics and situations....oh, and the science of it...." Read more

51 customers mention "Humor"51 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the humorous writing style. They find the stories engaging and well-structured, leading into more stories. Readers appreciate Barker's wit and humor while discussing how to get along with others.

"Great read- excellent insight backed by research and wit...." Read more

"...He has a good blend of humor, facts, and stories. With as much science that is packed into this book, it is a very easy read...." Read more

"...really well, and it's not only entertaining, it's often touching, and funny, I highlighted a bunch of passages with actionable info for..." Read more

"...Eric had me cracking up with his sarcastic sense of humor! Definitely, worth taking a read through." Read more

37 customers mention "Writing style"33 positive4 negative

Customers find the writing style engaging and easy to read. They appreciate the author's conversational writing style and sense of humor. The book provides actionable content in a clear and simple way. Readers find the premise simple yet handled well.

"...With as much science that is packed into this book, it is a very easy read...." Read more

"...I have admired his writing style and material overall and was hoping his book would be as enlightening and well written as his newsletters are ---..." Read more

"...His conversational way of writing and sense of humor make this book delightful to read...." Read more

"...and weight, but the typography and size make it quite the easy reading experience that gels with Barker's digestible writing...." Read more

26 customers mention "Storytelling"26 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the storytelling. They find the stories relatable, practical, and impactful. Readers appreciate the concise narrative summary at the end. Overall, they describe the book as informative and meaningful.

"...He has a good blend of humor, facts, and stories. With as much science that is packed into this book, it is a very easy read...." Read more

"Eric has the most entertaining way of telling interesting stories to get across what could otherwise be dry information...." Read more

"...It's totally fascinating. Eric’s stories are always indelible and I’m constantly retelling them to others — and I’m super excited that now I have a..." Read more

"...and unexpected dynamics of all kinds of relationships into this action-packed, science-backed page-turner...." Read more

7 customers mention "Effectiveness"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book helpful. They say the author has researched what works and breaks down old bromides. The premise is simple yet handled well.

"...It works really well, and it's not only entertaining, it's often touching, and funny, I highlighted a bunch of passages with actionable info for..." Read more

"...But that's not a negative; the author's formula works, so it makes sense not to change it...." Read more

"...He has thoroughly researched what works and tears away by analysis the old bromides that we’ve heard forever...." Read more

"...Well with Others," but I think the new book, while just as useful as the old one, has more important things to say about society, human happiness,..." Read more

Don't Read This Book—Enphagorate It
5 out of 5 stars
Don't Read This Book—Enphagorate It
Well-structured amusing stories that gradually lead into more and more stories. Despite being thick with science, there is little stink to all this science, and that is Barker at his best. The slick segues to scientific studies establishes authority the author uses to make unarguable points about the state of social relations.I cried manly tears at the end as the author related he needed to write the book more to feel he belonged to something more than himself.Each chapter builds on the points of the last, outdoing Barker's usual enlightening email essays, trending towards grand points that felt almost-too-obvious, painfully so, by the time I read the end of the chapter.I own two physical books: Stillness is the Key and now this. I regret that that this book has pages and weight, but the typography and size make it quite the easy reading experience that gels with Barker's digestible writing.By buying this, you're not buying science, though the science is all there. You're buying story, an organization of the already-present world that gives you a roadmap for engaging in constructive, healthy, and satisfying relationships with your tribe and world.
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

  • Greg Wolcott
    5.0 out of 5 stars wonderfully researched and written
    Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Great read- excellent insight backed by research and wit. Understanding the importance of belonging and loneliness has never been more important than today. Definitely will be recommending to “friends”.
    Helpful
     Report
  • David
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book
    Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This is one of the few books that I have preordered. I waited patiently for the release date. Eric Barker is one of my favorite authors and speakers. He has a good blend of humor, facts, and stories. With as much science that is packed into this book, it is a very easy read.
    In this book, Eric tackles 4 common sayings, that we hear in day to day conversations all the time. Can you “Judge a book by its cover?”, Is “A Friend in Need a Friend Indeed?”, Does “Love Conque All?”, and Is “No Man an Island?”
    What if those four statements do nothing for your interest? Read the book anyways! Eric’s approach to tackling these statements provides the reader with more information that you would think (Don’t judge the content by the cover).
    Each statement has its own section. In the sections, Eric provides anecdotal and scientific evidence as he navigates through each statement. He is meticulous in his research and I love the fact that there is so much evidence backing his statements. Eric is not just another well spoken speaker/writer that gives his opinion. He backs it up with science.
    I’m not going to spoil the fun of reading this book by giving you his conclusions on the validity of each of the statements, but I guarantee that you will not be disappointed by taking the time to read the book.
    4 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Kundera
    5.0 out of 5 stars Memorable, Useful, and Often Hilarious
    Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I've read a number of books about relationships, but rarely finish one, because they seem to cover the same pretty intuitive ground, with little (if any) research grounding. I'd been reading Eric Barker's newsletter for years, and so I knew that he really dives into scientific research when he takes on topic, even when it's something funny like an interview with a hostage negotiator giving tactics for lowering your cable bill. So I pre-ordered Plays Well With Others, hoping it would be like Eric's newsletter, but longer. And honestly, it's even better. The number of studies he must've read about relationships of all kinds — marriages, friendships, etc. — is bananas. The structure of the book has Eric taking well-worn adages about relationships and examining whether or not they're true based on scientific research. It works really well, and it's not only entertaining, it's often touching, and funny, I highlighted a bunch of passages with actionable info for strengthening friendships. The section on marriage was incredible, and upended much of what I see in news headlines about healthy marriages. I highly recommend that section to anyone who is married, or might get married. Basically, this book is both extremely entertaining and practically useful, and thus is easily the best book I've read about relationships. Highly recommended.
    51 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Destiny_awaits
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Worthwhile Read....Definitely will make sure to read his future books!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Since I don't always "play well with others," (yes, I can, but it's more on the lines of if I choose to) I thought this book might be the book to pick up and check out it's content for some guideposts to help me navigate playing better with others in all aspects of my life. Interesting read, that diverges into many topics and situations....oh, and the science of it. Eric had me cracking up with his sarcastic sense of humor! Definitely, worth taking a read through.
    3 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Jules S
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love this Book - GREAT Content!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I have been following Eric Barker and his work for years and was thrilled to order his latest book. I have admired his writing style and material overall and was hoping his book would be as enlightening and well written as his newsletters are --- it did not disappoint. I usually like to highlight key take-aways from books I read - and I realized I cannot do that with this book as most of the book would be highlighted. His sense of humor resonates with mine and here's the best part --- he backs up all his commentary with science and cites all his references. He isn't just making stuff up! He verifies what he says - and as someone in the field of Productivity who also writes a lot of content scientifically backed - this means a lot. Great read for anyone who interacts with other humans - Thanks Eric - can't wait to read what you put out next!
    Helpful
     Report
  • Pat A
    5.0 out of 5 stars THIS BOOK IS A “ MUST READ”!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Eric has the most entertaining way of telling interesting stories to get across what could otherwise be dry information. His conversational way of writing and sense of humor make this book delightful to read. I’ve been getting his email newsletters and reading his blog for years, I had pre-ordered this book because I was certain that it would be enjoyable and informative, and it absolutely delivered. I was sorry when I got to the end, but did lots of highlighting from start to finish, and will be going back to reread it because it contains so much information that I want to revisit and rethink. Over the years I have forwarded many of Eric’s emails to friends, and am now highly recommending this book to everyone. This book made me understand how and why our society has become so “broken”, and gives me hope that it could be fixed if enough people were to read this book and see things from this perspective.
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Arge
    5.0 out of 5 stars Nice book
    Reviewed in Mexico on July 23, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    The way he explains things is easy and funny, but you can relate 😅
    Report
  • Craig Ouellette
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good read can't wait for more of his book
    Reviewed in Canada on November 16, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I've read both of books and im not a big reader but his books are fun smart and very helpful. Thanks for your great work.
    Report
  • Renzo P.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Pure Gold
    Reviewed in Brazil on June 7, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Very well researched, with insights that go way beyond what you typically find in self-help. true gold for anybody trying to improve relationships overall.
    Report
  • Holmar
    5.0 out of 5 stars As soon as I finished it I said to myself. I have to read this book again soon.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 15, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Really enjoyed this book. It is a must read who has to deal with people... and who does not?
    Report
  • Meher G.
    5.0 out of 5 stars You’ll wish you read it 5-10 years ago
    Reviewed in India on August 29, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    The title says it all really. Eric writes the kind of books that made me wish I read them 5 years ago cause that’s the kind of impact they’ve had on me. Far from the typical pseudo-scientific type books that have crowded this category, and the often hard to follow social science textbooks, Plays Well With Others threads the needle perfectly to keep the reader engaged with delightful storytelling backed with mountains of research.
    Report