Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

Not for a lay reader – at least not for this lay reader.

The thesis of the book (I think) is that our differing reactions to positive v. negative and certain v. uncertain framing of scenarios with the same expected value help reveal our tolerance for risk. The further thesis (I think) is that by gauging our own and others’ risk tolerance and perceptions toward gain/loss, we can be more persuasive in our communications, more resistant to manipulation, more fluent in our financial decision-making, and more effective in bridging polarized debates.

Unfortunately, I could not get past the dense and discursive writing style and approach. It felt like a class I was interested in and wanted to understand, but where the professor was so immersed in the topic that he struggled to make it accessible and practical.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.