The Status Game: On Human Life and How to Play It

By Will Storr

Book Overview

'Will Storr is one of our best journalists of ideas ... The Status Game might be his best yet' James Marriott, Books of the Year, The Times

What drives our political and moral beliefs?

What shapes our bitterest conflicts and wildest dreams?

What makes you, you?

Across the world, from Papua New Guinea to Tokyo and Manhattan, humans compete for status. Through games of dominance, virtue and success, it's an obsession that has driven the best and worst of us: the Renaissance and the Industrial Revolution as well as spree killers and tyrants at the gates of Europe. But what makes status an all-consuming prize? And how can we wield our desire for it to improve our relationships, win social media battles and be the best in the workplace?

A breathtaking rethink of human psychology, The Status Game will change how you see others - and how you see yourself.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0008354677
• ISBN13: 9780008354671
• Release Date: September 2022
• Publisher: William Collins
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 0.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.1" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

Seeing the Game for What It Is

If you’ve ever felt a pang of envy over someone’s vacation, house, car, or caught yourself comparing your life to anyone else’s, this book is for you. In The Status Game, Will Storr masterfully unpacks the deeply human drive to seek status, explaining how it quietly influences nearly every aspect of our lives. With clarity and compassion, he reveals that we are all playing status games, often without even realizing it, and crucially, that no one ever truly “wins.” What makes this book powerful is its ability to shift your perspective: once you see the game for what it is, you can begin to separate your identity and self-worth from it. From there, you’re free to focus on what truly matters, your own values, goals, and fulfillment, on your own terms. Insightful and freeing, this is a must-read for anyone seeking deeper self-awareness and genuine contentment.