Arguably our brain's greatest sense is the ability to understand the minds of others - our real sixth sense. In Mindwise , renowned psychologist Nicholas Epley takes us on a tour of our incredible capacity for mind reading. This is the kind of mind reading we do every day of our lives, dozens of times a day, when we infer what others are thinking, feeling, wanting, or intending. The kind that enables you to build and maintain the intimate relationships that make life worth living, to maintain a desired reputation in the eyes of others, to work effectively in a team, and to outwit and outlast your competition. The kind that forms the foundation of all social interaction. Yet, as great as this sense may be, Epley reveals that it is still prone to critical errors. We often misread social or work situations, misjudge others' characters, or guess the wrong motives for their actions. Sometimes, these slip-ups are deadly serious, leading to violence and conflict.

Crucially, Epley shows how these errors are not random, but systematic and avoidable. Relying solely on our sixth sense can be a mistake. Drawing on the latest in psychological research, he suggests that only by learning more about our brain's greatest sense will we have the humility to overcome our mistakes, fine-tune our instincts and understand others as they actually are instead of as we imagine them to be. 'What is it like to be someone else? How can we get into other people's heads? These questions have challenged the greatest thinkers in Western philosophy, and they obsess every one of us as we try to deal with our family, lovers, friends, enemies, colleagues, and allies. In Mindwise , the distinguished social psychologist Nicholas Epley offers a lively and fascinating tour of the latest science on how we figure out (and all too often fail to figure out) what everyone else is thinking.' Steven Pinker, Johnstone Professor of Psychology, Harvard University, and author of How The Mind Works and The Stuff of Thought 'Too much of life's misery comes from misunderstanding what others are thinking, and from assuming that those we love must know what is (obviously!) on our mind. Mindwise is a highly enjoyable and informative book by one of psychology's rising stars that will make you spend less time in pointless arguments and more time in rewarding relationships. Gaining some wisdom about the minds of others will be painless and priceless.

' Richard H. Thaler, Ralph and Dorothy Keller Distinguished Service Professor or Ecomonics and Behavioral Science, Booth School of Business, University of Chicago.