Games People Play: The Psychology of Human Relationships
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The need for this book was indicated by interested requests
from students and lecture audiences for lists of games, or for
further elaboration of games mentioned briefly as examples in
a general exposition of the principles of transactional analysis.
Forty years ago, Games People Play revolutionized our
understanding of what really goes on during our most basic
social interactions. More than five million copies later, Dr.
Eric Berne’s classic is as astonishing–and revealing–as it
was on the day it was first published. This anniversary
edition features a new introduction by Dr. James R. Allen,
president of the International Transactional Analysis
Association, and Kurt Vonnegut’s brilliant Life magazine
review from 1965.
We play games all the time–sexual games, marital games,
power games with our bosses, and competitive games with
our friends. Detailing status contests like “Martini” (I know a
better way), to lethal couples combat like “If It Weren’t For
You” and “Uproar,” to flirtation favorites like “The Stocking
Game” and “Let’s You and Him Fight,” Dr. Berne exposes the
secret ploys and unconscious maneuvers that rule our
intimate lives.
Explosive when it first appeared, Games People Play is now
widely recognized as the most original and influential
popular psychology book of our time. It’s as powerful and
eye-opening as ever.
