Schadenfreude - enjoying the pain and failures of others - is an all-too-familiar feeling. It has perplexed philosophers and psychologists for centuries but, in a time of polarised politics, twitter trolls and 'sidebars of shame', has never been more relevant. Recent studies have shown that we smile more at a rival's loss than at our own success. But why can it be so much fun to witness another's distress? And what, if anything, should we do about it?
In Schadenfreude, historian of emotions Tiffany Watt Smith offers expert insight and advice. Ranging across thinkers from Nietzsche to Homer Simpson, investigating the latest scientific research, and collecting some outrageous confessions on the way - she reveals how everyone, babies, nuns, your most trusted friends, are enjoying your misfortunes. But rather than an emotional glitch, she argues, Schadenfreude can reveal profound truths about our relationships with others and our sense of who we are.
Frank, warm and laugh-out-loud funny, Schadenfreude makes the case for thinking afresh about this much-maligned emotion - and perhaps, even, embracing it.



![Bass, Ellen & Davis L & Davies, Laura CUSTO Ellen Bass: The Courage to Heal: A Guide for Women Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse [2002] paperback](http://chaptersbookstore.com/cdn/shop/files/bass-ellen-davis-l-davies-laura-ellen-bass-the-courage-to-heal-a-guide-for-women-survivors-of-child-sexual-abuse-2002-paperback-58251794415955_{width}x.jpg?v=1731490445)
![Gaffney, Maureen CUSTO Maureen Gaffney: FLOURISHING W2 [2015] paperback](http://chaptersbookstore.com/cdn/shop/files/gaffney-maureen-maureen-gaffney-flourishing-w2-2015-paperback-58147529130323_{width}x.jpg?v=1726940650)
![Segal, Zindel V. & Williams, J. Mark & Teasdale, John (Retired, Formerly Brain POPULAR PSYCHOLOGY Zindel V. Segal: Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression, First Edition [2002] hardback](http://chaptersbookstore.com/cdn/shop/files/segal-zindel-v-williams-j-mark-teasdale-john-retired-formerly-brain-zindel-v-segal-mindfulness-based-cognitive-therapy-for-depression-first-edition-2002-hardback-60061075177811_{width}x.jpg?v=1731649807)
![Webb, Caroline POPULAR PSYCHOLOGY New Caroline Webb: How To Have A Good Day: The Essential Toolkit for a Productive Day at Work and Beyond [2017] paperback](http://chaptersbookstore.com/cdn/shop/files/webb-caroline-caroline-webb-how-to-have-a-good-day-the-essential-toolkit-for-a-productive-day-at-work-and-beyond-2017-paperback-9781509818242-58251836260691_{width}x.jpg?v=1737633845)
![Nguyen, Joseph POPULAR PSYCHOLOGY New Joseph Nguyen: Don'T Believe Everything You Think [2023] paperback](http://chaptersbookstore.com/cdn/shop/files/nguyen-joseph-joseph-nguyen-don-t-believe-everything-you-think-2023-paperback-9789355431929-60466435719507_{width}x.jpg?v=1758548018)