Overview
From government policies that spark unintended crises to innovations that unleash environmental ruin, What Could Possibly Go Wrongexplores the surprising and often devastating ripple effects of well-meaning choices. With gripping case studies spanning politics, business, medicine, military strategy, ecology, and more, this book reveals how history has been shaped not just by what we aimed to do, but by what we failed to foresee.
What drives these failures? Drawing on psychology, complexity theory, and systems thinking, this compelling and accessible book uncovers the cognitive biases, emotional drivers, and systemic blind spots that consistently derail even the most thoughtful plans.
You’ll discover:
How short-term thinking and overconfidence have backfired throughout history
Why complex systems—from ecosystems to global markets—often defy prediction
How psychological traps like revenge, hubris, and wishful thinking distort decision-making
What we can learn from past blunders to navigate present-day challenges like AI, gene editing, and nuclear weapons
Perfect for readers of Thinking, Fast and Slow, The Black Swan, or Freakonomics, this timely book offers both a riveting exploration of human error and a vital roadmap for more mindful, responsible decision-making in a high-stakes world.
In an age of accelerating change and escalating consequences, understanding why good decisions go bad may be the most important decision we can make.
While major retailers like Amazon may carry What Could Possibly Go Wrong? (Unintended Consequences, Unnecessary Blunders, and the Urgency of Avoiding Tomorrow's Mistakes), we specialize in bulk book sales and offer personalized service from our friendly, book-smart team based in Portland, Oregon. We’re proud to offer a Price Match Guarantee and a streamlined ordering experience from people who truly care.
We’re trusted by over 75,000 customers, many of whom return time and again. Want proof? Just check out our 25,000+ customer reviews—real feedback from people who love how we do business.
Prefer to talk to a real person? Our Book Specialists are here Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST and ready to help with your bulk order of What Could Possibly Go Wrong? (Unintended Consequences, Unnecessary Blunders, and the Urgency of Avoiding Tomorrow's Mistakes).