The authors are convinced that self deception is a uniquely American trait, and chock it up to our fear of failure. Sounds suspect to me, and it's a thesis completely unsubstantiated by any of the numerous end notes (30% of the book!) Despite that and a few other nitpicks, it's a good intro to unselfconscious people into the inner workings of their minds. The book self-summarizes neatly with this quote: "Nowadays, when I feel passionate that I am 100 percent right about a decision that others question, I look at it again; that's all."