Tom Vanderbilt Livres

From the best-selling author of Traffic,a brilliant and entertaining exploration of our personal tastes--why we like the things we like, and what it

Exploring the evolution of sneakers from basic canvas shoes to high-tech cross-trainers, this book delves into their significance as a cultural phenomenon in America. It highlights the economic and pop cultural influences that have shaped sneakers into a beloved footwear choice. Featuring 40 illustrations, it offers an engaging and informative perspective on these iconic shoes within the context of consumer goods.

A New York Times Notable Book One of the Best Books of the Year The Washington Post • The Cleveland Plain-Dealer • Rocky Mountain News In this brilliant, lively, and eye-opening investigation, Tom Vanderbilt examines the perceptual limits and cognitive underpinnings that make us worse drivers than we think we are. He demonstrates why plans to protect pedestrians from cars often lead to more accidents. He uncovers who is more likely to honk at whom, and why. He explains why traffic jams form, outlines the unintended consequences of our quest for safety, and even identifies the most common mistake drivers make in parking lots. Traffic is about more than driving: it's about human nature. It will change the way we see ourselves and the world around us, and it may even make us better drivers.

The best-selling author of *Traffic* and *You May Also Like* embarks on a playful exploration of the joys that come with starting something new, regardless of age. Many adults stop learning new skills, often due to fear of failure or forgetting the pleasure of beginning anew. Inspired by his daughter's curiosity and his own mid-career stagnation, Tom Vanderbilt dedicates a year to learning for its own sake. He chooses five challenging skills—chess, singing, surfing, drawing, and juggling—each lacking career relevance. Unexpectedly, the experiences he encounters while learning prove more rewarding than the skills themselves. He finds joy in singing Spice Girls songs in an amateur choir, losing chess games to children, and navigating surf camp challenges in Costa Rica. Along the way, he interviews experts to uncover the psychology and science behind the benefits of adult beginners. Through his year of learning, Vanderbilt illustrates how anyone can improve at starting over and why it's essential to take those initial, often awkward steps. Ultimately, he reveals how rekindling curiosity can lead to profound happiness and deeper connections with others, demonstrating that small acts of reinvention can make life feel magical.