Fluke

Consistently gripping - dazzling in its sweep and thrillingly brain-twisting in its argument – Tom Holland, author of RUBICON and PERSIAN FIREDrawing on many disciplines, this fascinating book explores the combination of chaos and order that governs our lives and probes the deep question of whether we truly have free will – Mervyn King, co-author of RADICAL UNCERTAINTY and former Governor of the Bank of EnglandA brilliant meditation on the eternal clash between chaos and order, and determinism and freedom. Klaas grapples with some of the most difficult, mind-bending questions of our time - or any time - [and] makes these heady topics a blast to read – Scott Patterson, New York Times bestselling author of CHAOS KINGS and THE QUANTSKlaas expertly weaves riveting stories about real people, posing deep questions with uncertain answers. Self-exploration is a journey into the unknown, and Klaas is a genial guide – Donald D. Hoffman, author of THE CASE AGAINST REALITYKlaas explores how seemingly inconsequential actions have life-changing consequences. This utterly captivating book will make you rethink everything you have ever done – Sabine Hossenfelder, physicist and New York Times bestselling author of EXISTENTIAL PHYSICSAt this book’s fascinating core is the idea that all of our actions count because of the web of connectivity that envelops us. Brian Klaas is masterful in surfacing stories of history upended on a whim – Jonah Berger, New York Times bestselling author of CONTAGIOUSFluke is the intellectual equivalent of a slap across the face…Klaas’s beautifully written application of chaos theory to human experience won’t just shift your paradigm, it’ll detonate it – Jonathan Gottschall, author of THE STORYTELLING ANIMALIn truth we are subject to a ceaseless barrage of unpredictable, but life-changing, events. Marshalling a series of provocative examples, Brian Klaas paints a convincing picture of the central role of randomness, and why there can nevertheless be a bit of order amid the chaos – Sean Carroll, author of THE BIGGEST IDEAS IN THE UNIVERSEIts core premise is that the world is a lot more uncertain than we like to believe it is - and if we want to have healthy, happy lives, we should probably stop pretending we can eliminate randomness … It’s uplifting to acknowledge the interconnected, contingent nature of our world … There’s something empowering about feeling every moment of your life could change the world – New StatesmanProvocative and compelling, bringing the complex relationship between order and chaos vividly alive … there is every chance you will love it – New ScientistCaptivating … Klaas entertainingly reminds us that modern human society is a complex adaptive system … Fascinating – Financial TimesAn utterly engrossing examination of how seemingly inconsequential moments can have enormous consequences. Klaas teaches us about history, the certainty of chance and, ultimately, humanity itself. Ambitious, accessible and important – James O’Brien, bestselling author of HOW THEY BROKE BRITAINKlaas calls attention to the way chance redirects our lives and spins us into new orbits, showing how we can be energized by all of the jostling … A must read! – Maya Shankar, founder of the White House Social and Behavior Sciences Team and creator of A Slight Change of Plans podcast

Brian Klaas grew up in Minnesota, earned his DPhil at Oxford, and is now a professor of global politics at University College London. He is a contributing writer for The Atlantic, host of the award-winning Power Corrupts podcast, and frequent guest on national television. Klaas has conducted field research across the globe and advised major politicians and organizations including NATO and the European Union.