The best 43 Manipulation books

The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs (2009) explains how any presenter can be as convincing and inspiring as the legendary Steve Jobs. From planning to rehearsal and delivery, Carmine Gallo details the anatomy of a great presentation.

• Anyone who holds presentations at work, school or in their free time
• Communication professionals who want to engage their audiences more fully
• Anyone who is interested in Steve Jobs’s presentation techniques

Blink examines the phenomenon of snap judgments, meaning the split-second decisions we make unconsciously. These snap judgments are important decision-making tools, but can also lead to bad choices and all manner of problems. Blink explains how we can best make use of them.

• Anyone interested in intuition and decision-making
• Anyone interested in ridding themselves of their prejudices and stereotypes
• Anyone who wants to know when to trust their intuition

Influence (1984) explains in detail the fundamental principles of persuasion. How do you get people to say yes? How do other people get you to say yes?  How are you manipulated by sleek salesmen, clever marketing folks and sneaky confidence tricksters? These blinks will help you understand the psychology behind their techniques, enabling you to unleash your own persuasive powers, while also defending against their tactics of manipulation.

• Anyone working in marketing or sales
• People who sometimes find it hard to say no to salespeople or marketers
• Those interested in how their decision-making is constantly being manipulated

Salt Sugar Fat examines the rise of the processed-food industry in America and globally, and why it has been fueled by the liberal use of salt, sugar and fat. These three ingredients are near irresistible to us humans, but their overuse also comes with devastating health effects.

• Anyone who wants to eat more healthily
• Anyone interested in why processed foods are so popular today

We often swallow scientific-sounding language used in advertisements or on the news without any further thought. But if we analyze it a little, we often find that it’s merely pseudoscience. Bad Science shows us that this bogus science can lead to serious misunderstandings, injustice and even death.

• Anyone worried about science reporting in the media
• Anyone who thinks understanding science is beyond them
• Anyone who buys vitamins or homeopathic remedies

This book is all about the hidden meanings we can find in our body language. Our brains control our body movements without us being conscious of it, and sometimes those movements can be very revealing. This book goes into detail about the ways you can train yourself to become an expert in observing other people’s nonverbal cues and uncovering their meaning.

• Anyone interested in psychology
• Anyone who wants to improve his or her observational skills
• Anyone who wants to get better at understanding people’s true thoughts and intentions

Going Clear offers a rare glimpse into the secret history and beliefs of Scientology as well as the conflicted biography of its founder L. Ron Hubbard. It also details some of the Church’s darker qualities: a tooth and nail method of managing criticism and systematic approach to celebrity recruitment.

• Anyone who’s interested in the history of Scientology
• Anyone who wants tips on how to start his or her own successful religion

The Upside of Your Dark Side looks into the darkest depths of the human psyche, only to discover that the painful emotions that we often wish we could just make go away – anger, anxiety, guilt – are sometimes the key to our success. Backed by many fascinating scientific studies, The Upside of Your Dark Side makes it clear that psychological health means wholeness rather than happiness.

• Anyone who’s fed up with the happiness-hype in popular psychology
• Anyone who tries to bottle up his or her negative emotions
• Anyone interested in psychology

The Small BIG offers 52 examples on how minor changes in your behavior can make you more confident and successful when it comes to negotiating with and persuading others. Those who read this book will be able to draw value from the examples and make significant improvements to their persuasion style.

• Anyone who manages individuals or teams
• Anyone with children
• Anyone who wants to improve his or her persuasiveness

You Are Now Less Dumb provides thought-provoking studies and examples on how our brains often misguide us. It also enlightens readers with tips on how to uncover these unfounded beliefs and find out what’s actually happening in and around us.

• Anyone who wants to feel a little bit smarter
• Anyone interested in how our minds play tricks on us
• Anyone interested in psychology

59 seconds (2010) lays out some handy tips and insights backed by scientific research. Apply them today, and experience the change you want in your life.

• People sick of the same old self-help books
• Creative thinkers
• Psychology enthusiasts

Just Mercy (2014) is a walk through the American criminal justice system of the 1980s. These blinks explain how a system that is supposed to safeguard the rights of the nation’s citizens became an unjust tool to mistreat and abuse the most vulnerable members of society through mass incarceration and excessive sentencing.

• Lawyers, judges and legal scholars
• Anybody interested in the legal history of America
• People wanting to understand the unjust nature of America’s criminal justice system

Social Engineering (2011) reveals the secret methods hackers and con artists use to manipulate their targets and scam their victims. The book provides detailed step-by-step depictions of how criminals plan a scheme, and gives you all the tools you need to prevent yourself from being duped.

• Anyone who wants to know how hackers and scammers plan a heist
• Anyone interested in how to influence a stranger’s behavior
• People who watched the BBC series Hustle or The Real Hustle

In The Upside of Irrationality (2011), Dan Ariely uses behavioral economics to show us why we behave irrationally, how it affects our decision-making processes, and what we can do to make better choices.

• Psychology and behavioral economics students
• People who want to know why they act irrationally sometimes
• People curious about human behavior

In Sheep’s Clothing (1996) reveals the aggressive, undercover agenda of manipulative individuals, whose covert tactics would otherwise remain hidden. These blinks offers you tools to become aware of, prepare for and deal with the tricks used by manipulative colleagues, family members and friends.

• People who are overly anxious and fearful of social rejection
• People who believe they might be in a relationship with a manipulator
• People who want to learn how to fight back against manipulators

Thank You for Arguing (2013) is a guide to the art of rhetoric. These blinks explain what rhetoric really is, how persuasion works and how to win a debate by drawing on in-depth research, anecdotes and theories from the great orators of history.

• Anyone interested in making good arguments
• Politicians or anyone who debates politics
• Parents looking for techniques with which to persuade their children

Talking to Crazy (2015) acknowledges that each person has the potential to be a little crazy, giving into irrational behavior when the mood strikes. These blinks offer sound advice on how to empathize and communicate with a person in “crazy mode” so you can keep yourself from going off the deep end, too.

• People with anger management issues
• Anyone struggling with constructive communication in a relationship
• Parents and teachers dealing with young adults

Nonsense (2015) is all about ambiguity and the effect it has on our lives. We encounter situations we don’t understand all the time, both in regular daily life and in extreme situations like natural disasters. These blinks outline the widespread effects, both negative and positive, that this nonsense has on our behavior, and why it’s so important to understand it.

• Anyone tasked with important decision-making
• Negotiators and mediators
• Language teachers

The Confidence Game (2016) reveals exactly how con artists can strike it rich by taking advantage of some major flaws in human nature. Find out why people believe incredibly unlikely stories and ignore incriminating evidence, and discover how basic human trust and optimism can be used to a con artist’s advantage.

• Aspiring con artists who want to learn how anyone can be fooled
• People who think they could never be fooled by a con artist
• Students of human nature and human behavior

Irresistible (2017) shows how dangerously dependent we’ve become on the smartphones, tablets, video games and social platforms that we’ve surrounded ourselves with. Is our attachment to these devices strictly related to the convenience they provide? Or have we actually grown addicted to the psychological rewards they offer?

• Psychology students
• Technology addicts
• Anyone looking to be more productive

The Art of Seduction (2001) examines the amoral game of seduction, explaining how seduction always starts in the mind and that the most successful seducers know this very well indeed. It explains strategies for inciting interest, disorientating the target of seduction, stirring desire and kindling emotions. These tactics will lead to the eventual seduction of the target.

• People who want to learn the art of seduction
• Historians interested in landmark seductions
• Psychology enthusiasts

Experiments With People (2003) is a survey of social psychology throughout the twentieth century, and everything we have come to learn from it. These blinks will teach you about yourself, the hidden sides of human nature, why we make the choices we do and how altruistic humans really are.

• Students of psychology and the social sciences
• Impulsive people looking to include more rationality in their daily lives
• Highly social people interested in the intricacies human nature

Political Tribes (2018) is an insightful study of one of today’s most pressing issues: tribalism. From postwar Iraq to Chavez’s Venezuela and Trump’s America, political life has become increasingly polarized. That’s a problem. Once people stop trying to understand each other and retreat into the safety of their own tribes, conflict becomes inevitable. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Amy Chua argues that foreign and domestic policy can defuse tensions as long as those policies are based on a sound understanding of tribalism.

• Anyone who’s wondered what exactly went wrong in Iraq
• Citizens tired of endless political partisanship
• Fans of penetrating social analysis

Captivate (2017) is your guide to human behavior and social success. Whether you’re trying to connect with others at home, at work or out in the world, Van Edwards set about breaking down the mechanics of how to capture people’s attention and engage in meaningful interaction.

• Young people who want to improve their social skills
• Singles looking to become dating pros
• Managers and entrepreneurs who want their employees to do their best

Messengers (2019) is a fascinating exploration of why we listen to, follow, or believe in some people but not others. It explains why thoughtful experts are sometimes ignored in favor of confident blowhards. And it reveals why apparently irrelevant details, like the color of someone’s lipstick or the roundness of their face, can make a huge difference to how we respond to them. 

• Communicators who want to step up their influence 
• Professionals who want to be more persuasive 
• Anyone who wants to find more ways to connect with the people in their lives

The Life-Changing Science of Detecting Bullshit (2021) uses real-world examples to help you build critical thinking habits – which will enable you to recognize and resist all the false information that pervades society.

• Bullshit detectors who want to hone their skills
• People who think they’re immune to bullshitting
• Anyone who yearns for a bullshit-free world

Surrounded By Narcissists (2022) is a guide to recognizing narcissists and understanding how they operate. Erikson suggests simple, effective methods for dealing with any narcissists you know, whether it’s your partner, a relative, someone you work with, or possibly all three – you may be surrounded.

• Victims of narcissists
• Empaths who are worried about being manipulated
• Anyone who’s interested in psychology or personality types

The Secret History (1992) is the gripping tale of a group of Classics students at a New England college who are involved in the murder of a classmate. The novel explores the complex relationships between the friends, and the impact the incident has on their lives.

• People who enjoy psychological fiction
• Fans of the “dark academia” genre
• Anyone with an interest in Classics

Collective Illusions (2022) explores the idea of conformity bias: how it shapes our decisions for better or worse, and how we can overcome this behavior and even use it for good.

• Amateur brain scientists
• People who want to be the change
• Dissenters and activists

Adult Daughters of Narcissistic Mothers (2022) explores the ramifications of having a narcissistic parent, and what you as an adult can do to release yourself from your mother’s toxic hold. Its toolkit will help you manage the difficult feelings that come with being raised by a narcissist – like self-doubt, shame, and anxiety – so that you can start living on your own terms. 

• Adults with controlling, manipulative, or domineering mothers
• Those who have struggled with anxiety and insecurity since they were young
• Anyone who has felt fundamentally flawed since they were a child

Should I Stay Or Should I Go (2015) is a comprehensive survival guide for those in a relationship with a narcissist. Dr. Ramani breaks down what narcissism is, highlights the red flags to look out for, and offers two concrete roadmaps – one for deciding to stay, and one for deciding to go. 

• Anyone not feeling seen, heard, or respected by a partner
• People dealing with a narcissistic parent, friend, or colleague
• Those struggling to decide whether they should stay in or leave a relationship

If You Tell (2019) details the story of Michelle “Shelly” Knotek, the mother of three daughters who subjected her family to an ongoing nightmare of abuse and torture. Those who got close to Shelly had a way of succumbing to her methods of manipulation and control. For some, it meant their death.

• True crime fanatics
• Anyone interested in stories of incredible resilience
• People curious about the psychology of serial killers

Propaganda (1928) is a plain-speaking and unashamed defense of the techniques of political and social manipulation. Far from being a dark art practiced by despots and dictators, Bernays suggests that propaganda instead plays an essential and necessary role in the life of modern democracies. Not everyone agrees, of course, but nearly 100 years later the enduring influence of Bernays’s arguments is reason enough to engage with them.

• Anyone who works in PR, advertising, or marketing
• History buffs
• Politicos interested in American democracy

Flipnosis (2010) looks at the role of persuasion in our lives, and the social and biological underpinnings that allow some people to quickly and successfully encourage and convince those around them. By examining the science and looking at real-world master persuaders – from magicians and advertisers to criminals and psychopaths – you too can tap into the art of persuasion.

• Would-be social engineers, looking for a few tricks to improve their influence
• Free-thinkers who want to make sure that their choices are, in fact, their own
• Anyone who has been sold something they didn’t want, and were left wondering: What just happened?

Exactly What to Say (2017) is designed to provide you with the key phrases and words to make your conversations count and bring you success. It contains magic words. Words that are heard and interpreted by the subconscious mind. Words which will help you get the results you want.

• Anyone interested in how words can influence others at a subconscious level
• Success-driven individuals who want to up their game
• Entrepreneurs who want to get their prospects to say yes more often

The Uses of Delusions (2022) ventures into the intriguing realm of irrational beliefs and delusions, highlighting their essential role in shaping our lives and detailing how these misconceptions surprisingly confer benefits. These beneficial delusions serve as crucial contributors to our happiness, relationships and even survival, constructing a compelling narrative about the paradoxical power of irrationality. 

• Psychology enthusiasts fascinated by the human mind’s quirks and misconceptions
• Self-help seekers desiring to understand and improve their own mental processes
• Skeptics and rational thinkers keen on understanding the roots of superstition and irrational behavior

Othello (c. 1603) stands as one of Shakespeare’s most renowned tragedies. It tells the story of a respected military commander who is manipulated into questioning the loyalty of the woman he loves—setting in motion a chain of events with devastating consequences. With its powerful themes of love, betrayal, race, and revenge, the play remains strikingly relevant even today.

• Shakespeare fans unfamiliar with Othello
• Lovers of intense drama and psychological complexity
• Anyone exploring power, race, and identity in literature

Forget mind control. In Cultish (2021), Amanda Montell exposes the verbal tricks that bind groups, from Heaven’s Gate to your Peloton Group. A fascinating look at how words shape beliefs and persuade us. Decode the language of domination and reclaim your power.

• Word wizards
• Cult detectives 
• True crime fans

It’s Not You (2024) delves into the complexities of narcissistic personality traits and their devastating effects on personal and professional relationships. With a compassionate and pragmatic approach, it offers strategies and insights to help navigate these challenging dynamics.

• Those who have experienced, or are currently in, relationships with narcissistic partners, family members, friends, or colleagues
• Human resource professionals and managers who want to understand narcissistic behavior in the workplace better
• Anyone who is navigating complex relationships with narcissistic personalities they can’t walk away from

May Contain Lies (2024) explores the intricate world of misinformation and its pervasive impact on society, media, and personal decision-making. It delves into the psychological underpinnings that make us susceptible to deception, and examines how falsehoods spread and the long-term consequences for public trust and individual behavior, then offers several strategies readers can adopt to improve critical thinking and discernment. 

• Anyone consuming news and social media 
• Individuals wanting to make evidence-based decisions 
• Policymakers and government officials

On Gaslighting (2024) explores the concept of gaslighting as a distinctive form of manipulation that undermines a person’s ability to trust their own perceptions, reasoning, and emotions. Through the lens of contemporary philosophy this text analyzes the conception, tools, and implications of gaslighting, linking this psychological phenomenon to broader social issues like racism, sexism, and trust in relationships.

• Therapists who want to understand the psychological and emotional effects of gaslighting 
• Ethicists seeking to understand the moral dimensions of gaslighting
• Social justice advocates who want to uncover how gaslighting exploits oppressive social systems 

The Narcissist's Playbook (2019) is a guide to recognizing, understanding, and breaking free from the manipulation and abuse of narcissists, sociopaths, and psychopaths. It offers practical tools for identifying manipulative behaviors, understanding why they occur, and empowering their targets to protect themselves and reclaim control of their lives.

• Partners who suspect they’re in an emotionally abusive relationship
• People who want to set boundaries with manipulative family members
• Anyone with a narcissist in their lives

Charlatans (2025) examines why smart people fall for obvious scams by dissecting the psychological drivers and technological vulnerabilities that make everyone a potential target for exploitation. It explores how digital-age charlatans use the same basic playbook as historical con artists but now operate at a viral, global scale through social media and emerging technologies.

• Technologists and social platform moderators dealing with the proliferation conspiracy theories, scams, and misinformation on digital platforms
• Those working with victims of fraud, cult involvement, or conspiracy theory addiction who need to understand the psychological mechanisms at play
• Anyone feeling overwhelmed by misinformation who wants practical tools for critical thinking and media literacy