The Status Game: On Human Life and How to Play It

‘Will Storr is one of our best journalists of ideas … The Status Game might be his best yet.’
— James Marriott, Books of the Year, The Times

What drives our political and moral beliefs?

What shapes our bitterest conflicts and wildest dreams?

What makes you, you?

Across the world, from Papua New Guinea to Tokyo and Manhattan, humans compete for status. Through games of dominance, virtue, and success, this obsession has driven both the best and worst of us:

• The Renaissance and the Industrial Revolution
• As well as spree killers and tyrants at the gates of Europe

But what makes status such an all-consuming prize? And how can we harness our desire for it to:

• Improve our relationships
• Win social media battles
• Be the best in the workplace

A breath-taking rethink of human psychology, The Status Game will change how you see others – and how you see yourself.