Eric Barker

Eric Barker is a best-selling author and popular blogger whose writing focuses on psychology and practical strategies for improving happiness, productivity and relationships. Barker is the author of Barking Up The Wrong Tree: The Surprising Science Behind Why Everything You Know About Success Is (Mostly) Wrong (2017, William Morrow) and Barking Up The Wrong Tree Deluxe Edition: The Science of Making Smarter Choices in Life and Work (2020, William Morrow). He is also the author of several other books including The Figure Trilogy, a series of three darkly humorous stories about main characters who are brought back to life, and The Art of Interrogation: Uncovering the Facts in the Toughest Cases (2021, Pan Macmillan).

Barker was born in 1958 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to a family of teachers. After graduating from Michigan State University with a degree in English Literature, he went on to work as a writer and editor for several magazines, including Time and People. In 2003, he started a blog called bakadesuyo.com, which focuses on psychology and offers advice on how to be successful and happy. The blog quickly gained a large following and proved to be a stepping stone for Barker to eventually write his first book.

Barker wrote the book that would become Barking Up The Wrong Tree: The Surprising Science Behind Why Everything You Know About Success Is (Mostly) Wrong in 2017. In this book, Barker examines the growing misconception that success is all about hard work. He encourages readers to think more practically and look at the bigger picture to make smarter choices. By using a blend of scientific research, personal anecdotes and humor, Barker has created an engaging narrative to help readers make better decisions. Barker’s book was an instant best-seller and has since been translated into many different languages, becoming a classic in the self-help genre.

In 2020, Barker released Barking Up The Wrong Tree Deluxe Edition: The Science of Making Smarter Choices in Life and Work, a re-edited and updated version of his original book. This edition focuses on Barker’s ideas from the original, as well as new perspectives from other experts in psychology and behavior. In this book, Barker breaks down the science behind why taking shortcuts and going against conventional wisdom can lead to success and happiness. The book draws on Barker’s personal experiences as well as scientific research to help readers re-evaluate their own behavior and make smarter decisions in the areas of work, relationships, health and happiness.

In addition to Barking Up The Wrong Tree, Eric Barker has written several other books including his Figure Trilogy, a series of darkly humorous stories of main characters brought back to life, and The Art of Interrogation: Uncovering the Facts in the Toughest Cases. In this book, Barker shows readers how to use intelligence techniques to get the most out of their interviews and interrogations. This book is essential reading for anyone looking to take their investigating skills to the next level.

Eric Barker is an author and blogger whose books offer insightful and entertaining advice on how to make smarter decisions in life and work. His books, including Barking Up The Wrong Tree and The Art of Interrogation, have been translated into many different languages and have become a staple in the self-help genre. Barker’s mission is to empower readers through a better understanding of psychology, enabling them to make choices that help them live fuller and more productive lives.