I really enjoyed Art. Markmans last book, and found this continuation of the "Smart" series to be equally good. Books that mainstream pyschology have become very popular over the last few years, and as an articulate, engaging, card carrying cognitive psychologist, I find Art Markmans to be particulary informative. I thought this particular book was insightful, entertaining, and most importantly, very useful.
The main focus of Smart Change is habits. It talks about how they are formed, and how we can transform bad habits into better behaviors in both ourselves and in others. It is January, so the mention of habits immediately took me to New Year Resolutions, and eating better, losing weight, and exercising regularly. While Smart Change very effectively addresses these perennial challenges, it also delves deeper, examining how habits play a role in much of everyday life, be it work-related behaviors such as time management and effective learning, or how we interact with friends and family in our personal lives. The book does explore the psychological mechanisms that lie behind habits, but does so in a very accessible way. However, perhaps most importantly, it also offers actionable advice and tools that can be used to change habits, and hence lives, for the better.