Skip to content

Obliquity: Why Our Goals Are Best Achieved Indirectly
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Obliquity: Why Our Goals Are Best Achieved Indirectly Paperback - 2012

by John Kay

Using dozens of practical examples from the worlds of business, politics, science, sports, literature, even parenting, a leading economist charts the indirect road to happiness and wealth.


Summary

"John Kay tells a fast-paced detective story as he searches for the surprising secret to success...Brilliant."
-Tim Harford, author of The Logic of Life

In this revolutionary book, economist John Kay proves a notion that feels at once paradoxical and deeply commonsensical: the best way to achieve any complex or broadly defined goal, from happiness to preventing forest fires, is the indirect way. We can learn how to achieve our objectives only through a gradual process of risk taking and discovery-what Kay calls obliquity. The author traces this seemingly counterintuitive path to success as it manifests itself in nearly every aspect of life, including business, politics, sports, and more.

From the publisher

"John Kay tells a fast-paced detective story as he searches for the surprising secret to success...Brilliant."
-Tim Harford, author of The Logic of Life

In this revolutionary book, economist John Kay proves a notion that feels at once paradoxical and deeply commonsensical: the best way to achieve any complex or broadly defined goal, from happiness to preventing forest fires, is the indirect way. We can learn how to achieve our objectives only through a gradual process of risk taking and discovery-what Kay calls obliquity. The author traces this seemingly counterintuitive path to success as it manifests itself in nearly every aspect of life, including business, politics, sports, and more.

Details

  • Title Obliquity: Why Our Goals Are Best Achieved Indirectly
  • Author John Kay
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition Reprint
  • Pages 240
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Penguin Books, New York, NY
  • Date 2012-03-27
  • Illustrated Yes
  • ISBN 9780143120551 / 0143120557
  • Weight 0.4 lbs (0.18 kg)
  • Dimensions 7.5 x 5 x 0.9 in (19.05 x 12.70 x 2.29 cm)
  • Ages 18 to UP years
  • Grade levels 13 - UP
  • Library of Congress subjects Success, Goal (Psychology)
  • Dewey Decimal Code 153.8

Media reviews

END

About the author

John Kay is a visiting professor at the London School of Economics and a fellow of St. John's College, Oxford University. As the director, he established the Institute for Fiscal Studies as one of Britain's most respected think tanks.
Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

Obliquity: Why Our Goals Are Best Achieved Indirectly

Obliquity: Why Our Goals Are Best Achieved Indirectly

by Kay, John

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143120551 / 0143120557
Quantity Available
6
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$8.90
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, 2012. Paperback. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$8.90
FREE shipping to USA
Obliquity: Why Our Goals Are Best Achieved Indirectly

Obliquity: Why Our Goals Are Best Achieved Indirectly

by Kay, John

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143120551 / 0143120557
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$8.90
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, 2012. Paperback. Acceptable. Former library book; Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$8.90
FREE shipping to USA
Obliquity: Why Our Goals Are Best Achieved Indirectly
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Obliquity: Why Our Goals Are Best Achieved Indirectly

by Kay, John

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used: Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143120551 / 0143120557
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$9.26
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, 2012-03-27. Paperback. Used: Good.
Item Price
$9.26
FREE shipping to USA
Obliquity: Why Our Goals Are Best Achieved Indirectly
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Obliquity: Why Our Goals Are Best Achieved Indirectly

by Kay, John

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Like New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143120551 / 0143120557
Quantity Available
796
Seller
Fairfax Station, Virginia, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 2 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$10.70
$3.99 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, 2012-03-27. Paperback. Like New.
Item Price
$10.70
$3.99 shipping to USA
Obliquity: Why Our Goals Are Best Achieved Indirectly
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Obliquity: Why Our Goals Are Best Achieved Indirectly

by Kay, John

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143120551 / 0143120557
Quantity Available
796
Seller
Fairfax Station, Virginia, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 2 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$11.41
$3.99 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, 2012-03-27. Paperback. New.
Item Price
$11.41
$3.99 shipping to USA
Obliquity: Why Our Goals Are Best Achieved Indirectly
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Obliquity: Why Our Goals Are Best Achieved Indirectly

by John Kay

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used:Good
Edition
Reprint
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143120551 / 0143120557
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$19.49
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, 2012-03-27. Reprint. Paperback. Used:Good.
Item Price
$19.49
FREE shipping to USA
Obliquity: Why Our Goals Are Best Achieved Indirectly
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Obliquity: Why Our Goals Are Best Achieved Indirectly

by Kay, John (Author)

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143120551 / 0143120557
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$33.75
$12.70 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, 2012. Paperback. New. reprint edition. 240 pages. 7.75x5.25x0.75 inches.
Item Price
$33.75
$12.70 shipping to USA
Obliquity: Why Our Goals Are Best Achieved Indirectly
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Obliquity: Why Our Goals Are Best Achieved Indirectly

by Kay, John

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143120551 / 0143120557
Quantity Available
1
Seller
San Diego, California, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$61.82
$5.45 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, 2012-03-27. Paperback. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title!
Item Price
$61.82
$5.45 shipping to USA