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Jeffrey Kluger
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The Sibling Effect: What the Bonds Among Brothers and Sisters Reveal About Us Kindle Edition

by Jeffrey Kluger (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 150 ratings
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A senior writer at Time magazine explores what scientists and researchers are discovering about sibling bonds, the longest- lasting relationships we have in our lives.

Nobody affects us as deeply as our brothers and sisters-not parents, not children, not friends. From the time we-and they-are born, our siblings are our collaborators and co-conspirators, our role models and cautionary tales. They teach us how to resolve conflicts and how not to, how to conduct friendships and when to walk away. Our siblings are the only people we know who truly qualify as partners for life.

In this groundbreaking book, renowned science writer Jeffrey Kluger explores the complex world of siblings in a way that is equal parts science, psychology, sociology, and memoir. Based heavily on new and emerging research, The Sibling Effect examines birth order, twin studies, genetic encoding of behavioral traits, emotional disorders and their effects on-and effects from-sibling relationships, and much more.

With his signature insight and humor, Kluger takes big ideas about siblings and turns them into smart, accessible writing that will help anyone understand the importance of siblings in our lives.

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  1. Print length
    322 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Riverhead Books
  5. Publication date
    September 15, 2011
  6. File size
    617 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book had a profound impact on me that I never could have anticipated. . . . It's a compelling and beautifully written story, interwoven with fascinating, cutting-edge research." ---David Sheff, author of Beautiful Boy

About the Author

Jeffrey Kluger is a senior editor and writer at Time magazine and the coauthor of the bestseller Apollo 13.

Pete Larkin is an AudioFile Earphones Award winner and a 2014 Audie Award finalist. He was the public address announcer for the New York Mets from 1988 to 1993. An award-winning on-camera host, Pete has worked on many industrial films and has done hundreds of commercials, promos, and narrations.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0054TVJPC
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Riverhead Books (September 15, 2011)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 15, 2011
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 617 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 322 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1594486115
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 150 ratings

About the author

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Jeffrey Kluger

Jeffrey Kluger

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Jeffrey Kluger is a senior writer at Time. Coauthor of Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage of Apollo 13, which was the basis for the movie Apollo 13, he is also the author of Moon Hunters: NASA's Remarkable Expeditions to the Ends of the Solar System.

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5
150 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Stephanie Wilson
5.0 out of 5 stars Great find
Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2012
Verified Purchase
i came across this book accidentally but have totally enjoyed the read. I am the youngest girl in a family of 10 sibs. The book is an engaging read and quite interesting. Mr. Kruger shared so much of hid heart through this book and helped me to gain perspective on my life and the importance of how I ended up where I am. I have onky one child and coming from such a large brood myself, i have always been a bit concerned that my son has no sibs. The book helped me to see my son in a different, more appreciative light. It has been easy for me to dismiss the value of my sib relationships because they have always been there. 6 brothers who protect...3 sisters who nurture. The book has helped me to value my sib relationships in ways i had not previously. I would recommend this book wholeheartedly!
2 people found this helpful
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Bryan
4.0 out of 5 stars an easy read with some good insights on family life
Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2014
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well written, an easy read with some good insights on family life.
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Avocat
5.0 out of 5 stars a GREAT book and an easy read!!
Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2011
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This book has sent chills down my spine... As a singleton, I always cried when my friends would have to leave my house to go home....... As an adult, I have a huge pool of friends of all cultures, ages, educational background, and political affinities; I also like to reach out and find old classmates and neighbor kids I used to play with... and then, I keep up with them... After reading this book, I finally understood the root of my need to build this network of friends... I also understood and am easier on my two children's daily conflicts... in fact, I now love to see my kids squabble over small things and watch them resolve their conflicts...or instruct them not to come to me to help them with resolving their conflicts but to rather work on a resolution themselves. After reading this book, I also understand a bit better why my husband's brother won't build that bridge to rebuild their sibling relationship... I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK! BUY IT! READ IT! RECOMMEND IT AGAIN! It's a great book and a beautiful read.
18 people found this helpful
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B. Roberts
3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting (enough) read
Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2014
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Interesting book, but I found the author went into more detail about his own family life. Great if you are similar to him, but not so great if you're not. I would still recommend the book for anyone who wants to read it, but felt it could have been a bit more.
9 people found this helpful
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rbier@neo.rr.com
5.0 out of 5 stars The Sibling Effect
Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2011
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If you are looking for some good info about families and siblings (birth order) and feel there must be a reason for things happening in families beyond our control, this is the book that goes there to give you answers. It's an excellent read and one well worth the effort. It even covers other cultures as well as giving predictions on future events based on present day decisions by countries like China imposing the one child family mandate. It's loaded with amazing insights and explanations that give meaning and purpose to things you thought you knew about family relations. This is an impressive body of information all in one place.
4 people found this helpful
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Dr. Bob
2.0 out of 5 stars banal and too geneeral
Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2011
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I looked forward to insights based on the few bon mots heard on a CBC interview. Once into the book I was terribly disappointed at the generalizations that may have/could have been deduced from pop psych books. This is not a scholarly work. For the uninformed looking for sound bites it can serve one in good stead at a cocktail party. Not worth purchasing. Better to request it from the library and judge first if it is worth anything as a reference book.
41 people found this helpful
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middleagemama
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read!
Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2011
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I found this to be an excellent book - and not just because a short quote of mine is included! I love how it covers favoritism, divorce, birth order, growing up, rivalry, and all those other lovely facets of being part of a family. Although it sometimes made me think we should ALL be in therapy, the happy conclusion is that we all not just survive family life, but it defines us and nourishes us. A fun, insightful read.
13 people found this helpful
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scope
4.0 out of 5 stars Finding my middle ground
Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2022
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Our siblings reveal quite a bit
About earnings and talent and wit.
The oldest? The middle? This book solves the riddle
Of how we find out where we fit.

#bookreviewsaslimericks
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Top reviews from other countries

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Joe Bathelt
4.0 out of 5 stars Very engaging but could be more rigorous
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 2, 2022
Verified Purchase
"For all that richness and complexity, however, there may be no relationships that can run quite as deep or survive quite as long as those among siblings. You know it if you grew up with one. You know it if you’re raising some. You know it if you’ve merely watched a group of them interact."

Siblings are the most influential and yet most overlooked social relationship that any of us have. In many cases, they accompany us from the cradle to the grave. Yet, they are not often part of scientific accounts of psychological development, as any reader of a textbook on this topic may have noticed. The Sibling Effect aims to rectify this by delving into the research that has yet to make it into the textbooks. The book touches on topics such as birth order effect, sibling conflict, and the evolution of sibling relationships across the lifespan to answer questions like are first-borns born leaders, is it healthy that siblings quibble so much, and why do we lose touch with siblings when we leave the home but often reconnect later? The description of the scientific findings is interspersed with anecdotes from the author’s own life which was in part shaped by his biological and step-siblings. I had not considered many of the topics in this book before, even though my professional interest is in cognitive development. I found the book highly stimulating but sometimes wished that the distinction between anecdote and the scientific consensus was clearer. Of course, it would also be great to have an updated edition since this book was originally published more than a decade ago and science tends to evolve quickly. However, as a starting point or additional source of inspiration, it fully serves its purpose. I think this book is great for anyone interested in sibling relationships for any reason. I imagine it would also make a great present for any scientifically-minded sibling.
One person found this helpful
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Sviatlana Danilava
5.0 out of 5 stars Nice
Reviewed in Germany on November 12, 2017
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An interesting reading for me as a firts-born of two sisters and a mother of two kids. Helps me to reflect on my past and better understand my kids‘ current behaviour.
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KATatamazon
3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but not what I expected.
Reviewed in Canada on November 7, 2011
Verified Purchase
Though the book wasn't quite what I expected, it was still interesting. I guess I was expecting more on the scientific side as opposed to personal experiences.
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