How God Works

“What do you get when you cross spiritual wisdom with modern science? A whole bunch of smart ideas about how to live a happier, healthier, and more meaningful life. A delightful and illuminating read.” —Daniel Gilbert, professor of psychology at Harvard University and author of Stumbling on Happiness “A masterful and continually surprising tour of how spiritual practices around the world anticipated the latest evidence-based insights from the science of behavior change. DeSteno provides a compelling scientific defense of the power of ancient traditions and shows how we can all use them to improve our health, connection, and happiness.” —Laurie Santos, professor of psychology at Yale University and host of The Happiness Lab podcast “This is a book on religion that even an atheist can love. One of the leading psychologists of our time shows how the world’s religions provide technologies that anyone can use to live their best lives. Clear, engaging, and very persuasive, How God Works will change the way you think about faith and science.” —Paul Bloom, professor of psychology at Yale University and author of The Sweet Spot “DeSteno shows convincingly that whatever we think of the underlying theology, religious rituals work! Fine-tuned over centuries of practice, they help us cope with major life transitions, comfort us in times of fear or grief, and encourage us to show gratitude, exhibit compassion, practice community, and find enduring happiness.” —Mark U. Edwards, Jr., former professor and dean of academic affairs at Harvard Divinity School “How God Works explores the rituals of religions and delves into the science of psychology to show how seamlessly the two can work together. This isn’t a work about one god or one religion. It is a thought-provoking, useful book that points us toward happier, healthier lives.” —Sharon Salzberg, author of Lovingkindness and Real Change “How God Works makes a brilliant case for ‘spiritual technologies’ for the believer, the skeptic, and the atheist alike. DeSteno offers a scientific explanation for why and how the prayer, rituals, and community-building practices of the world’s religions help make us more resilient, happy, and moral people.” —Angela Buchdahl, Senior Rabbi, Central Synagogue, New York “An exceptional and expertly researched study of the science of believing in the divine …This thorough, insightful study will convince readers that worship itself is a boon for mental and physical health.” —Publishers Weekly “For many, COVID-19 seems to have brought existential questions to the fore. Research scientist and psychologist DeSteno offers findings based on his and others’ work about how humans make meaning throughout a lifespan…Parents, teachers, and religious leaders will appreciate Desteno’s work, which is accompanied by copious endnotes.”—Booklist

David DeSteno is a professor of psychology at Northeastern University and the author of Emotional Success and The Truth About Trust, and coauthor of Out of Character. He frequently writes for The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, Harvard Business Review, and The Atlantic. He received his PhD in psychology from Yale University.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.