The Science of Sin: The Psychology of the Seven Deadlies

by Simon M. Laham

Pride, lust, gluttony, greed, envy, sloth, and anger.

They’re considered “deadly” because of their capacity to generate other evils.  The truth is, we all sin and we do it all the time—in fact, usually several times over before breakfast!  But human behavior, argues social psychologist Simon Laham, is more complex than “good” or “evil.”  In psychology, these sins aren’t considered morally wrong or even uniformly bad, but are treated rather as complex and interesting psychological states that if, indulged wisely, can be functional, adaptive, and lead to a range of positive effects.  
 
The Science of Sin takes on these so-called sins one by one and through psychological research shows that being bad can be oh-so-good for you.  Did you know that:
 
·         Being slow and lazy can help you win the race?
·         Anger makes you more open-minded?
·         Coveting what others have not only makes you more creative but bolsters self- esteem?
 
So go ahead, eat that last cookie and kick back on the couch for a day of TV with your neighbor’s boyfriend—from gluttony to greed, envy to lust, Laham shows how even the deadliest, most decadent of vices can make you smart, successful, and happy.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Science, Research

224 pages, Paperback

First published February 7, 2012

Reviews

[টক দইয়ের চা · Rating 4 out of 5]

হিন্দু শাস্ত্র অনুসারে ষড়রিপু (সংস্কৃত: षड्रिपु, আক্ষরিক অর্থ: ছয় শত্রু) বা ষড়্ রিপু হলো - কাম, ক্রোধ, লোভ, মোহ, অহংকার ও মাৎসর্য(ঈর্ষা) আর এর সাথে আলস্য যোগ করে পোপ গ্রেগরি (প্রথম) এর 'Seven deadly sins(সপ্তরিপু)' তৈরি। এই সপ্তরিপু কি আসলেই খারাপ নাকি এদের ভালো দিক‌ও আছে তা নিয়েই যেসব বৈজ্ঞানিক কাজ হয়েছে তা খুব সুখপাঠ্য ভাবে উপস্থাপন করেছেন জনাব লাহাম সাহেব। মানুষ যে সমাজে বাস করা একটা প্রাণী (নাকি পশু?!) এবং তার প্রাগৈতিহাসিক প্রাণীসত্তা(সপ্তরিপু) তার কাজে কর্মে এখনো স্পষ্ট প্রতীয়মান তা সুন্দরভাবে ব্যাখ্যা করা হয়েছে ব‌ইটাতে।

When sexually aroused we prefer and exaggerate qualities that increase our chances of sex; this happens without our awareness. These lustful students weren’t intentionally valuing ambition and wealth in order to impress; rather, lust subtly penetrated and reconfigured their value systems in order to give them a better chance of attracting mates..... lust seems to be doing its job. It puts sex on the brain, which leads us to see sex in the environment, which, in turn, gives us the impression that the odds of having sex look pretty good. Other lust-induced cognitive shifts: we find other people more attractive when we’re aroused and we pay more attention to physically attractive (i.e., sex-worthy) others.16 In psych-speak: activated mating goals (triggered by exposure to naked pictures and the like) induce cognitive and behavioral strategies aimed at facilitating our reproductive success. In non-psych-speak: thinking about sex makes us think more about sex, which increases behaviors aimed at getting sex.

[Orsolya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, anger, envy, and pride are best known as the ‘Seven Deadly Sins’. Sins which all people are guilty of every day. Are they really sins, though? Do they actually harm people and those around them? These are some of the questions addressed by social psychologist Simon M. Laham PhD in “The Science of Sin: The Psychology of the Seven Deadlies (And Why They are So Good for You).

Laham’s thesis is simple but very unique explaining experiments and studies revolving around each sin (each chapter focuses solely on one) and debunking how ‘bad’ they are. The concept is accessible as a pop-psych book making it easy-to-read but it is also engaging with a fast pace for those seeking some in-depth information. There are many ‘ah-ha!’ moments when everything in our daily actions make sense and also some new, interesting facts.

Laham’s tone is conversational, casual, and friendly but also includes an ample amount of scientific jargon and brushes with neuroscience making “The Science of Sin” less dummied down than many other recently-published psych books. There is, however, an issue with too much personification. For example, Laham lives in Australia and many cases mention Aussie characteristics that those readers not from down unda’ will find confusing and unrelatable. This isn’t detrimental to the book but is indeed noticeable.

One of the main positives is the ability of Laham to stay on track and suitably prove his thesis without venturing off on tangents or struggling for proof. In this way, “The Science of Sin” is well infused with Laham’s research and intellect.

The text of “The Science of Sin” is primarily filled with experimental examples. This is great but three main issues are exemplified. First, the majority of (if not almost all) of the experiments are secondary tests versus primary, being conducted by everyone but Laham. Therefore, Laham is just recapping information and compiling it into one place versus demonstrating his own findings. Second, many of the studies are not thoroughly explained leaving unanswered questions. Finally, like 90% of recent psych books; Laham includes experiments used to test other theories but molds it to his purpose. Why do all books include the same experiments when they are written about different topics?!

Of note is Laham’s unbiased ability to prove his thesis and show why sins aren’t bad but also to explain the negatives and other sides of the coin. This makes “The Science of Sin” a more comprehensive piece. On the negative side, “The Science of Sin” is too much of a summary with quick chapters and is a short book, overall. If Laham’s intent is merely to wet the appetite and promote further reading, then he is successful.

“The Science of Sin” includes a conclusion which sums up the text well while leading into a section of notes. However, these notes are not annotated and are more of a bibliography; so don’t expect a conclusive fact-check.

Despite any faults with “The Science of Sin”; Laham’s prose is well-written and his premise is intriguing. The book delivers a healthy ratio of science with pop psychology. “The Science of Sin” is recommended for anyone interested in social psychology with Laham certainly being an author to watch.

[Stina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book #4 for 2014

This was a Marta pick for the LHR Society, and it was an interesting read. Quite a lot of it I already knew, but there was much that was new to me as well, and Laham's style was straightforward without being dry and dull. I liked the way this theme was explored, and it gave a good perspective on why our culture has latched onto certain evils, but not others, over the centuries.

This isn't a really in-depth science book -- probably more on the level of Psychology Today -- but I would recommend it to anybody with a casual interest in the psychology of human behavior.

[Steve Wiggins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sin is somewhat outmoded in many religious circles, but Laham's study raises the question of what happens when you learn that sin is good for you. This is mainly from a psychological point of view, but it is intriguing to the rest of us as well. Read more: Sects and Violence in the Ancient World.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book, Laham reports on a selection of psychological studies relating to each deadly sin. This approach provides for some interesting insights, but it only allows for a pretty shallow overview of each sin. I was hoping for more of a "deep dive." On the whole, though, I enjoyed Laham's writing, and even laughed out loud a few times. A worthwhile book, if you don't go in expecting too much.

[Mike Lisanke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow, yet another book by a neuroscientist who spends most of the text preaching to the reader about correct social behavior Instead of explaining the Science of Sin. Why do all neurologist believe they know the basis of human behavior and how to correct all aberrations of said behaviors? Not only don't they know root cause for anyone's behavior but their solutions are mostly panacea. This author for example urges not to give into the food industry which has lured us to overeat But does urge us to get Botox treatments so our permanent smile prevents us from even thinking angry! OMG, there are far too many things in this book and with this author arguments, which I would gleefully argue with! But my sloth prevents me from reaching no further than this review... IMO the author hasn't properly connected misbehavior with neurological science in any depth! The author also spends far to much time justify the concepts for how each "sin" is bad... not for the individual but for the society or the population we may leave behind. And lastly, if there's a physiological reason for all misbehavior we'd collectively label "sin" wouldn't that mean, it Wasn't sin, that it was illness! There's so many things we'd expect this author to mention that were Skipped... mostly because the author has to sell books therefore has to have a prominent social conscience therefore all the preaching (incorrectly) about individual exhausting the resources of those we'll leave behind... He even disses an After Live... We should just "Care" about the hardship of those that follow us... as if those who departed Earth before us Or the .1% who seek to control us (and not die) care about our hardship. Seriously, this author needs some better reasoning! IMO.

[Miss Scarlett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr. Laham deserves credit for pulling together research and showing why the Seven Deadly Sins are adaptive and useful. He has a clear writing style and is entertaining. However, he falls short of depth. My wish would be for him to add additional pages to each chapter end to fully make his point of why the seven deadlies are good for you. This is a fascinating topic and there was potential to make a detailed book. This book would serve in a Psychology of Sins 101 class, but anything more and it falls short.

[Noodle’s Book Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give it a 5 star but I have to be honest the first half of the book was 5 stars while the second was 3 so I settled on 4. Really good research and I’ve checked some studies it mentions and they are all pretty cool. I think this is one of the few pop-science books I would recommend to people. It got a little more brining in the 2nd half though the first few chapters were amazing.

[Mariaelena Torres · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dr. Laham convince his audience on why sin can benefit you, along the way he showcases studies and test done ok participants showing the different outcomes and why that specific sin benefits. Very repetitive in many chapters. But enjoyed his use of psychological and physiology perspective on why sinning is beneficial.

[ashleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this for my Theology class and I found it to be an interesting read! I loved learning about the psychology aspect of sin.

[Clivemichael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining exploration. Easy read

[Aaron Thibeault · Rating 4 out of 5]

*A full executive summary of this book is available here: http://newbooksinbrief.com/2012/02/17...

Lust, greed, gluttony, anger, sloth, envy and pride. The seven deadly sins are recognized as an integral part of the Christian (and especially the Catholic) belief system, but their influence in Western culture extends well beyond these realms. Indeed, even the atheistic among us are likely to regard the seven characteristics perhaps not as sins, but at the very least as vices, or character flaws.

Nevertheless, despite the near universal acknowledgement of the reproachfulness of the seven deadly sins, the psychologist Simon Laham takes a very different approach to these so-called sins in his new book "The Science of Sin: The Psychology of the Seven Deadlies (and Why They Are So Good for You)". Indeed, as the title suggests, Laham maintains that the seven deadly sins are not nearly as bad as they are cracked up to be, and in fact the author argues that much good can come of them, so long as they are approached in the right way.

Laham tackles each sin in order, awarding each a separate chapter. As a general rule, each chapter begins with an explanation of the sin as it was originally conceived, and why it was considered to be a sin (though there are chapters where the author stints in this regard, or leaves such a discussion out altogether, and in these cases it is sorely missed). Following this, we are apprised of how the characteristic, or, in some cases the emotion, that is represented by each sin is regarded by modern psychology. Included here is an account of why each characteristic is thought to have evolved in our species in the first place (though again, the author is sometimes remiss in providing such an explanation, much to the chagrin of the interested reader).

From here, Laham takes the reader through numerous lab and field experiments to demonstrate that the characteristic or emotion in question can indeed lead to positive consequences. For instance, lust can trigger us to be more helpful and brave; gluttony can help us focus on the aesthetic experience of eating (which can lead to an enhancement of the culinary experience itself); greed can make us more persistent and self-sufficient; anger can motivate us to overcome the obstacles that we face, and also prompt us to confront moral transgressors (to the betterment of society); envy can motivate us to better ourselves; sloth can allow us think more efficiently and also prompt us to be more helpful towards others; pride can make us more competent and work harder, and also give us more self-esteem.

Though the author's main point is to outline the positive aspects of the seven deadly sins, he does acknowledge that, when approached in the wrong kind of way, they can indeed backfire on us (though again, the author could afford to go into much more detail here than he does on many occasions).

Despite the shortcomings mentioned above, there is much of interest to be learned here, and the book is well worth the read. A full executive summary of the book is available here: http://newbooksinbrief.com/2012/02/17...

[Brien · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up from my sister's place in Pocatello. Her partner had read and it he recommended it.

The book, as its name suggests, explains the benefits of the 'seven deadly sins.' The author, Simon Laham, is a psychology professor in Australia. He dedicates a chapter to each of the deadlies: pride, lust, gluttony, greed, envy, sloth, and anger. His argument is that none of the seven are automatically evil. In fact, a lot of them benefit us in certain ways. Laham uses social scientific research evidence and solid critical thinking to explain his point.

For example, people who are justifiably proud tend to be better leaders and harder workers. Anger can lead to an approach motivation, leading angry people to more and higher achievements. Envy (not the same thing as jealousy) can motivate us to strive to accomplish and gain the things we see others have. People who eat more (compared to those that eat less) tend to do better on higher-order cognitive tasks because there is more glucose in their systems for their brains to use as energy.

Lust leads people to pay attention to their immediate environment and focus on details, often leading to better problem-solving (this is true an even non-sexual problems...when we're turned on, we focus on our environment in order to increase our likelihood of scoring. This served us well evolutionarily, and seems to help with math problems, too - luckily for us, these parts of our brain are very near each other!). Greed can lead to happiness (the kind we can buy, such as comfort and toys), hard work and greater self-reliance. And finally, slothful people (those who don't fill their lives with business and tasks) tend to be well-rested and this leads to better problem solving.

Laham's writing is inviting, clear, and very readable. The book isn't very long (less than 200 pages of text), but with it he makes his argument very well: wouldn't it be better to slow down, examine the evidence, and think about these issues rather than sweepingly and completely dismissing them as "bad" because we've been told they are sins? He extends this argument to the more current lists of deadly sins that religious leaders have proposed, such as stem cell research and abortion. As Laham says, wouldn't it be better to talk about these issues, think about them and examine them before making a unilateral decision about them as evil?

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

*When sins become wins*

Sinfully indulge in this irresistible page-turner, and you'll likely conclude that the seven deadlies aren't so sinful after all. In fact, that's the author's hope for this book:
“I want to convince you that not only are the sins complex and interesting psychological states, but that, if indulged wisely, they are largely functional and adaptive.” (p. 12)

Accomplishing his mission (with impressive writing, wit, wisdom, and a weaving together of the findings from gluttonous servings of deliciously fascinating social science experiments), the author shows how we can use the sins to our advantage. Lust can promote benevolence and creativity and even higher test scores. Gluttony can help us value experience (vs. consequence), sociality (vs. isolation), and variety (vs. monotony). Greed can make us happier, more motivated, self-sufficient, and fair. Sloth can help us be more attentive, open-minded, creative, smarter, and virtuous. Anger promotes persistence, performance, optimism, control, and justice. Envy increases hope, creates a positive self-image, and motivates us to get what we long for. Pride allows us to work hard and achieve, take the lead, and be liked by others.

The author clarifies that this book is not “a manifesto for 'all sin, all the time,' but a reminder that far from leading us down the fiery path to hell, or even being generally dysfunctional, the seven deadly sins actually serve us quite well.” (p. 12)

So, (appropriate) sinning is actually good for us. Perhaps the seven deadly sins should be relabeled as the seven lively wins...

[Reya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun, lighthearted look at why behaviors we are supposed to think of as "sinful" may in fact be good and productive! Each chapter explores one of the seven deadly sins and its many facets through discussing the often surprising results of numerous psychological experiments and studies. There are both productive and unproductive sides to each sin. For example, we can either use envy to motivate ourselves in a positive way (envying a role model to improve ourselves or achieve a goal) or in a negative/relative way (envying another's car or diamond ring, which does not bring happiness when achieved). Using anger cautiously in negotiations can be a powerful way to get what you want (except in Asia where it will backfire), to see yourself with more control over your future, or even to open your mind to new ideas. Who knew?

Another entertaining aspect of this book is the descriptions of the creative and strange experiments the scientists devised to test their theories. Those poor test subjects were often completely misled as to the object of their participation! I confess, I found this rather funny.

As the author concludes, there is simply no black and white in human behavior and society. The sins can work for or against you and the world, depending on how you use them. I certainly enjoy an irreverent book now and then that questions traditionally-held beliefs, whether or not I end up agreeing. I think it's perfectly healthy to spend an occasional weekend in sloth, being completely lazy - or to use greed or envy to get you off that sofa to work hard on your life's goals!

[Eduardo Santiago · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anyone with the least shred of moral sense recognizes that the “deadly sin” list is (at best) questionable. Having dismissed it years ago, the only thought I ever gave to it again was an occasional review to make sure I'm breaking all of them regularly. So when I saw a blurb in Science News about this book it went straight to my to-read list: I figured the book and I were starting off on the same page already. And we were, all the way through, and now I find myself with an aftertaste of confirmation bias and wondering what to read to get over it.

I did enjoy the book. I found it lively, witty, honest, extremely well researched. Important, in the sense that more people should be aware of these topics. And I will recommend the book, heartily, to anyone who hasn't spent the last few years reading Sapolsky and Gilbert and Haidt. But for me, the only genuinely new information was the history of the “deadly sin” list... and all I remember is that it had something to do with popes and monks: interesting, just not memorable for someone who isn't superstitious. And the rest was, for me, a rehash.

Again, this was fun and well written. Ten years ago I would’ve given it five stars. If you haven’t been reading the same books I have, you might give it five stars too.

[Jane Night · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really found this book fun and entertaining as well as educational. The book goes over the seven deadly sins (wrath, avarice, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony) and shows the positive sides to them.

According to the book, the seven deadly sins were originally created to keep monks living in monasteries in line. But, in modern life there are very positive effects of each of the sins.

Anger (wrath), for instance, can help change bad aspects of society.

If no one ever got angry about anything, people would never rally for changes in society. Without anger at the mistreatment of children, there would have been no minor labor laws that prevented children from working in factories and being maimed and killed.

Anger , and the physical signs and expressions of anger also encourage people to compromise with us. If my boyfriend wants to play a video game instead of taking out the trash, my angry expression and shouting is much more likely to get him off his butt than a string of polite pleases.

Pride is a positive emotion when we feel good about the things we have done and feel a sense of accomplishment. It encourages people to work hard to succeed. As a writer, I take a lot of pride in my work and I feel an amazing sense of pride when I hold a new paperback in my hands. That feeling helps motivate me to start the next book.

Those examples are just a few of the ways that “Sin” is good for you. This was a really fun read and I recommend it to anyone interested in psychology and religion.

[Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I thought this was a intriguing little book.

Laham's goal in this book is to explore how the so-called Seven Deadly Sins are actually, for the most part, beneficial for us: lust encourages people to act more nobly, anger makes us more open-minded, pride leads us to being more successful, and so on.

Each chapter consists of a whirlwind tour of two to three dozen scientific studies that bear some relation to the sin at hand. Laham carefully explains how each study was conducted, what the results were, and what conclusions can be drawn from each. The end result ends up feeling a little scattershot and hurried, as Laham tends to breeze through study after study with little time for introspection or analysis, but in the end I didn't care because I thought the studies were fascinating enough on their own merits.

Laham provides an extensive bibliography at the end of the book listing every one of the studies he mentions, so if you're interested in any of them (and lucky enough to have access to the relevant research journals), you can go read them for yourself.

Not perhaps the most in-depth book for those with some knowledge of the subject matter, but a good jumping-off point for those of us who don't.

(Disclaimer: I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.)

[Sophia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Terrible. The author was overly simplistic (dumbing down an already streightforeward subject), his insights unbelievably superficial, and the material incredibly unoriginal. I had already come across 90% of the research he cited, and yet this is the first book on "sin" I've picked up. He essentially just rehashes the basic theories of social psychology, finding them new boxes to sit in and new labels.
Like many social psychologists, its as if the only people he's ever met came out of the papers of past social studies, at times almost painfully out of touch with reality. He often confuses correlation with causality, but unbelievably tends to invert the roles even when common sense might provide some insight. Unbelievably he seems entirely out of touch with social realities such as stereotyping, and blatently engages in it himself! And in all this, there's even the painful restatement of the obvious, which admittedly is common (and necessary) in psychology, but here it's unbarable. He cites a lot of articles but takes them all with viritually no critical attitude. This all results in painfully obvious false statements that could have easily been avoided if the author had stopped to THINK a little more before spewing out a book.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Science of Sin is an entertaining read exploring why the seven deadly sins are not, in fact, as bad for us as they're cracked up to be. Using many examples from social psychology experiments, Laham goes over the evidence suggesting that everything from lust to pride can be good for both individuals and society. Each chapter tackles one deadly sin, describing experiments relating to different aspects of the sin. As a social psychology fan, I've already heard of a lot of these experiments; readers more familiar with social psychology may find this too much of a retread of what they already know. This is particularly true because almost the entire book consists of describing these experiments, with some exposition describing how they relate to a deadly sin. While I enjoyed reading the book, I was hoping that the book would have some more discussion tying the experiments together. The book almost reads more like a literature review than a stand-alone book (although again, this may be less problematic to someone less familiar with so many of the examples). Although not perfect, The Science of Sin is still a fun read highlighting a fascinating topic.

[Van · Rating 3 out of 5]

Science of Sin was a breezy, enjoyable read. Delving into sociological and scientific studies conducted on the "seven deadly sins" and how they affect us, it focuses mostly on the positive effects. While the studies are very interesting, some really stretch the "why they are so good for you" argument the title of the book suggests. However, at times the author makes these studies "interactive" in a sense where you can participate and see how you would answer. This really draws you in. I liked reading the back stories on why particular "sins" were initially considered "sins," adding context to the rest of the book. While the book is easy to read and doesn't bog you down with unnecessary details (which I can appreciate), it also doesn't go into as much depth as I sometimes wanted it to.

I received this book for free through Goodreads First-Reads.

[Kenneth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very interesting look at the psychological roots and effects of those emotions that we in the western world know as "The Seven Deadly Sins". Citing examples and studies, and occasionally drawing the reader to participate on a limited basis, the author shows how these "sins" - Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Anger, Envy and Pride - are hard-wired into our brains by evolution, and how they may even be positive forces in our lives. Some of the arguments are a tad strained, but most are spot-on and eminently enlightening with a wealth of scientific research to back them up.

I received this book for free through Goodreads First-Reads. Thanks.

[Jorge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read, addictive, well-written, simple, fun, interesting, amazing. There's a lot we can learn about the most demonized parts of natural human behavior. Not only they are not bad or even evil, they are most often than not, good in every sense of the word. Increasing our knowledge about sin and becoming conscious of it can enhance our life.

Indulging in lust makes you more charismatic, wiser. In gluttony, more intelligent. Greed makes you tougher. Anger, stronger. Envy will make you smarter. Pride will make you more successful. These are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Indulge in all seven and only God knows what will happen.

[Cari · Rating 2 out of 5]

An intriguing book with a fantastic premise. Unfortunately it gets bogged down by repetitive and thus mostly unnecessary examples of lab studies supporting each idea, eventually driving even a patient reader to think, "Make your point once and move on." Additionally, despite having so much material and a wide open field, the analysis is shallow, making the whole read feel like it's the introduction to a much deeper inspection instead of the entirety of the book.

Good but ultimately disappointing.

[Phil Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed The Science of Sin but can't help but think that it would have been better as either a an article or a longer book. Because of the book's relatively short length and tendency to introduce studies and then quickly move away from them, I felt as if another 50 pages would have added considerable depth. Laham's writing style is very personable, funny, and jargon-free. I just wanted more of it. It's a good book, to be sure, and I would have felt differently about it if it didn't gloss over the subjects so quickly.

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Science of sin
An intriguing book that explores the seven deadly sins, from lust and its drive over our noble actions to anger and pride. Each chapter a little gem with scientific studies and explanation this book gives those who are not ready for heavier reads a medium light look into the seven deadly sins.

I was given the opportunity to reads this book through Netgalley!

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! I want to read this book again and again. The author mixes humour perfectly with informative and straight-forward prose, briefly introducing and analyzing each of the seven deadly sins and what benefits they bring for humanity. I learned a lot, and definitely would recommend this book to anyone, regardless of their interests.

[Jobert · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think it's okay. I enjoyed the psychological tests and analyses. But the arguments could have been stronger if the author knows something about the Bible. He only challenged the Catholic's stand on the "seven deadly sins" which was weak to begin with. He should have explored Proverbs 6:16-19. That could have been better.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting exploration of the emotions and psychology behind the seven deadly sins – and the positives of them. The quick summary, of course, is still "everything in moderation," but it's more interesting than that.

Despite the interesting subject matter, I found it a somewhat slow read. It's not bad, just not as engaging as it could be.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Won a copy through Goodreads' First Reads program.

It’s very interesting to consider the “deadly” sins to be…not so deadly. This book looks at the 7 Deadly Sins from a psychological point of view instead of a religious one without all that guilt!