Take Pride: Why the Deadliest Sin Holds the Secret to Human Success

Self-improvement enthusiasts will find in this book a new and fascinating suggestion for attaining success. “If you are looking for a way to convince yourself to commit to a diet, or giving up smoking or drinking, pride might get you there,” writes Tracy, a psychology professor and first-time author. Readers will be particularly intrigued when Tracy claims that pride can trump pleasure as a motivating force, stating that many notable achievements and inventions throughout history can be traced back to it. Though the subtitle reminds readers that pride is traditionally regarded as the “deadliest sin,” Tracy suggests it plays a key role in the lives of most successful individuals. The first six of the book’s seven chapters are devoted to an analysis of how pride is expressed in different cultures and a revealing exploration of narcissism. The last chapter, however, is the meat of the book, the part readers will find the most interesting and helpful, in which the author encourages them to use this emotion to their advantage. This book is a must-read for anyone pursuing noteworthy goals, with Tracy aspiring to instill in her readers the message that “you might just need a little pride.” (Sept.)