Psychologists have long been aware that most people maintain an irrationally positive outlook on life-but why? Turns out, we might be hardwired that way. In this absorbing exploration, Tali Sharot-one of the most innovative neuroscientists at work today-demonstrates that optimism may be crucial to human existence. The Optimism Bias explores how the brain generates hope and what happens when it fails; how the brains of optimists and pessimists differ; why we are terrible at predicting what will make us happy; how emotions strengthen our ability to recollect; how anticipation and dread affect us; how our optimistic illusions affect our financial, professional, and emotional decisions; and more.