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The Art of Fairness: The Power of Decency in a World Turned Mean
From a New York Times bestselling author, a fresh and detail-rich argument that the best way to lead is to be fair
Can you succeed without being a terrible person? We often think not: recognizing that, as the old saying has it, “nice guys finish last.” But does that mean you have to go to the other extreme and be a bully or Machiavellian to get anything done?
In The Art of Fairness, bestselling author David Bodanis uses thrilling case studies to show there's a better path, leading neatly in between. He reveals how it was fairness, applied with skill, that led the Empire State Building to be constructed in barely a year––and how the same techniques brought a quiet English debutante to become an acclaimed jungle guerrilla fighter. In ten vivid profiles featuring pilots, presidents, and even the producer of Game of Thrones, we see that the path to greatness doesn't require crushing displays of power or tyrannical ego. Simple fair decency can prevail.
With surprising insights from across history––including the downfall of the very man who popularized the phrase “nice guys finish last”––The Art of Fairness charts a refreshing and sustainable new approach to cultivating integrity and influence.
Can you succeed without being a terrible person? We often think not: recognizing that, as the old saying has it, “nice guys finish last.” But does that mean you have to go to the other extreme and be a bully or Machiavellian to get anything done?
In The Art of Fairness, bestselling author David Bodanis uses thrilling case studies to show there's a better path, leading neatly in between. He reveals how it was fairness, applied with skill, that led the Empire State Building to be constructed in barely a year––and how the same techniques brought a quiet English debutante to become an acclaimed jungle guerrilla fighter. In ten vivid profiles featuring pilots, presidents, and even the producer of Game of Thrones, we see that the path to greatness doesn't require crushing displays of power or tyrannical ego. Simple fair decency can prevail.
With surprising insights from across history––including the downfall of the very man who popularized the phrase “nice guys finish last”––The Art of Fairness charts a refreshing and sustainable new approach to cultivating integrity and influence.
Unknown Binding
Published November 1, 2020
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About the author
David Bodanis
19 books153 followersDavid Bodanis' latest book THE ART OF FAIRNESS: THE POWER OF DECENCY IN A WORLD TURNED MEAN was published November 2020 and asks the question that has long fascinated David: Can you succeed without being a terrible person? The answer is 'Yes, but you need skill', and the book shows how. I demonstrate those insights through a series of biographies…
David Bodanis is the bestselling author of THE SECRET HOUSE and E=MC2, which was turned into a PBS documentary and a Southbank Award-winning ballet at Sadler's Wells. David also wrote ELECTRIC UNIVERSE, which won the Royal Society Science Book of the Year Prize, and PASSIONATE MINDS, a BBC Book of the Week. Then a return to Einstein and the struggles he went through with EINSTEIN'S GREATEST MISTAKE which was named ‘Science Book of the Year’ by the Sunday Times, and also widely translated.
David has worked for the Royal Dutch Shell Scenario Prediction unit and the World Economic Forum. He has been a popular speaker at TED conferences and at Davos. His work has been published in the Financial Times, the Guardian, and the New York Times, and has appeared on Newsnight, Start the Week, and other programs. When not slumped in front of a laptop, he has been known to attempt kickboxing, with highly variable results.
David Bodanis is the bestselling author of THE SECRET HOUSE and E=MC2, which was turned into a PBS documentary and a Southbank Award-winning ballet at Sadler's Wells. David also wrote ELECTRIC UNIVERSE, which won the Royal Society Science Book of the Year Prize, and PASSIONATE MINDS, a BBC Book of the Week. Then a return to Einstein and the struggles he went through with EINSTEIN'S GREATEST MISTAKE which was named ‘Science Book of the Year’ by the Sunday Times, and also widely translated.
David has worked for the Royal Dutch Shell Scenario Prediction unit and the World Economic Forum. He has been a popular speaker at TED conferences and at Davos. His work has been published in the Financial Times, the Guardian, and the New York Times, and has appeared on Newsnight, Start the Week, and other programs. When not slumped in front of a laptop, he has been known to attempt kickboxing, with highly variable results.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 10, 2021
"Can you succeed without being a terrible person?"
The headline caught my attention along with this book's recommendation by The Economist.
A HIDDEN GEM. A MUST BUY
The point of 'good people FINISH FIRST' comes through, albeit very slowly. In the meantime, the content inside is STUNNING and is good enough to warrant a BUY.
- Interesting story about how the London Olympics managed to keep its opening ceremony a TOP secret.
- Lessons from the construction of the Empire State Building and how being 'good', won!
- The AMAZING differences between Steve Ballmer and Satya Nadella as respective CEOs of Microsft. The peek inside the UNIMAGINABLE, HARD life of Satya and how that transformed him. (gives me shivers)
- The unbelievable tale of Captain William Blight, the story of The Mutiny on the Bounty (ship) and how his kindness was converted to wrath(?) by uncontrollable circumstances.
- Franklin D Roosevelt. His life, his story, his ascension and the manner in which is boldly battled and defeated the Nazi menace & built the foundations of the new world order. Again, this book is worth it JUST to read about FDR.
The book starts well, then slows down to the point you want to abandon it and then FLIES HIGH. Just keep this in mind!
A must read.
The headline caught my attention along with this book's recommendation by The Economist.
A HIDDEN GEM. A MUST BUY
The point of 'good people FINISH FIRST' comes through, albeit very slowly. In the meantime, the content inside is STUNNING and is good enough to warrant a BUY.
- Interesting story about how the London Olympics managed to keep its opening ceremony a TOP secret.
- Lessons from the construction of the Empire State Building and how being 'good', won!
- The AMAZING differences between Steve Ballmer and Satya Nadella as respective CEOs of Microsft. The peek inside the UNIMAGINABLE, HARD life of Satya and how that transformed him. (gives me shivers)
- The unbelievable tale of Captain William Blight, the story of The Mutiny on the Bounty (ship) and how his kindness was converted to wrath(?) by uncontrollable circumstances.
- Franklin D Roosevelt. His life, his story, his ascension and the manner in which is boldly battled and defeated the Nazi menace & built the foundations of the new world order. Again, this book is worth it JUST to read about FDR.
The book starts well, then slows down to the point you want to abandon it and then FLIES HIGH. Just keep this in mind!
A must read.
May 7, 2021
The intent of the book is so powerful. Fascinating individuals, that the author has us study in the context of Fairness and decency, and their contrasts. I recommend this book if you are at all interested.
Why only 3 stars from me? My bad - I didn’t realize how many of the stories in the book I was already familiar with, so I lost some patience reading the details (FDR, Goebbels, Durocher, and to a lesser extent Bligh and Nadella). I WAS excited to see the story of Al Haynes, United Flight 232 pilot, because I saw him speak at a safety conference a long time ago and will never forget it or him.
Why only 3 stars from me? My bad - I didn’t realize how many of the stories in the book I was already familiar with, so I lost some patience reading the details (FDR, Goebbels, Durocher, and to a lesser extent Bligh and Nadella). I WAS excited to see the story of Al Haynes, United Flight 232 pilot, because I saw him speak at a safety conference a long time ago and will never forget it or him.
October 1, 2021
More a self-help book through biographical examples than the sociological study I was hoping for.
February 2, 2023
Offering an alternative approach to the cut-throat dog-eat-dog mantra that seems to come hand in hand with success. This at times felt like an obvious take though. Maybe it’s the broad social messaging through various media that villains don’t win or just the seemingly logical equation that treating people well will win goodwill and better outcomes than driving them down. But still, it was interesting to go through the case studies about the ways in which leadership could have a marked impact on a situation.
Particularly liked the story of the pilot Haynes, who was able to remain calm during a plane crash. Also the contrast between Goebels and Roosevelt—with the insight into their lives (i.e. Roosevelt was crippled by Polio, he had a close (possibly consummated) relationship with Margueritte LeHand who was effectively the Chief of Staff during his administration…who helped get him into office (very Olivia Pope-esque) was super interesting.
The overall message seems to be that the art of fairness resides on a handful of things:
1.) Listening to others to gain further insight into a situation, the missed factor here is listening to subordinates, who people often overlook and dismiss even though they often have the benefit of a unique perspective and access to otherwise missed insight
2.) Leaning on your authority to move things along and get things done. If you’re too lenient, too nice and too accommodating—people don’t listen to your orders and will override them with what they themselves think is best
3.) Utilising the rule of reciprocity. Give to people what’s due and they will return it. I.e. if you pay workers a fair wage and treat them with decency, they’ll work better and be more invested in returning that generosity with a payment in kind.
4.) Be inclusive. The more people you isolate, the less who will be willing to help you when you need it. Great example with Goebels, who isolated his allies (Germany is the best, no one else can call their leader fuhrer or their country Reichland) and by promoting racism drove his leading scientist (many who were jews) to his enemies where they flourished and assisted with their progress (penicillin, code breakers, atomic bomb).
I also liked that he seemed a bit objective about it. He didn’t imply that being fair was the only way to be successful. That said, I think the book could have done with a few examples of how people became successful by being trash. It seemed that all the people that applied this strategy (the coiner of the phrase: nice guys finished last, who isolated everyone and caused his team to be greater penalised. Machiavelli - who said it was better to be feared than loved but ended up banished and trying and failing to appeal to the medici family, The Nazi regime) they all lost in the end due to their strategy, which seems to have a short term success but terrible longevity.
Particularly liked the story of the pilot Haynes, who was able to remain calm during a plane crash. Also the contrast between Goebels and Roosevelt—with the insight into their lives (i.e. Roosevelt was crippled by Polio, he had a close (possibly consummated) relationship with Margueritte LeHand who was effectively the Chief of Staff during his administration…who helped get him into office (very Olivia Pope-esque) was super interesting.
The overall message seems to be that the art of fairness resides on a handful of things:
1.) Listening to others to gain further insight into a situation, the missed factor here is listening to subordinates, who people often overlook and dismiss even though they often have the benefit of a unique perspective and access to otherwise missed insight
2.) Leaning on your authority to move things along and get things done. If you’re too lenient, too nice and too accommodating—people don’t listen to your orders and will override them with what they themselves think is best
3.) Utilising the rule of reciprocity. Give to people what’s due and they will return it. I.e. if you pay workers a fair wage and treat them with decency, they’ll work better and be more invested in returning that generosity with a payment in kind.
4.) Be inclusive. The more people you isolate, the less who will be willing to help you when you need it. Great example with Goebels, who isolated his allies (Germany is the best, no one else can call their leader fuhrer or their country Reichland) and by promoting racism drove his leading scientist (many who were jews) to his enemies where they flourished and assisted with their progress (penicillin, code breakers, atomic bomb).
I also liked that he seemed a bit objective about it. He didn’t imply that being fair was the only way to be successful. That said, I think the book could have done with a few examples of how people became successful by being trash. It seemed that all the people that applied this strategy (the coiner of the phrase: nice guys finished last, who isolated everyone and caused his team to be greater penalised. Machiavelli - who said it was better to be feared than loved but ended up banished and trying and failing to appeal to the medici family, The Nazi regime) they all lost in the end due to their strategy, which seems to have a short term success but terrible longevity.
April 3, 2025
This book took me far longer than it should have. Bodanis's central idea is that fairness, in contrast to Durocher's oft-quoted "nice guys finish last," can still lead to triumphs and progress. He doesn't gainsay the reality that corruption and demagoguery are faster and easier, and cites examples in Leo Durocher and Joseph Goebbels, but provides counterexamples that an empathetic yet rational perspective of the world can also bring about good results ("Give, but audit"). What anchors his work is his analysis of Franklin Roosevelt's tenure as President: despite his imperfections and mistakes, he anchored his term on a fundamental faith towards fairness and the common good. He allowed people their identities, only insofar as these did not impinge on others': businessmen were allowed to profit, but not excessively.
One of my issues with this work is that it could have been shorter while still retaining its pith. Nevertheless, it is an insightful and hopeful read. Perhaps one of these days, we'll also enjoy the fruits of decent people seeking fairness through good governance.
One of my issues with this work is that it could have been shorter while still retaining its pith. Nevertheless, it is an insightful and hopeful read. Perhaps one of these days, we'll also enjoy the fruits of decent people seeking fairness through good governance.
February 7, 2021
As previously stated Bodanis is a talented story teller and at times this book was very difficult to put down. The author makes substantial arguments for being (choosing) the better path, regardless if one has experienced a life upheaval. The differences in leadership (such an overused word, I hate it) are striking and this book inspires one to be and choose the considered, considerate, compassionate, way through life. One does not need to be "cutthroat" or "out for blood" when one has goals. I think that if an idea occurs to one, the world has made room and allowances for that idea and it needs to be shared. Would absolutely recommend.
January 27, 2021
David Bodanis is a good storyteller and this is an entertaining and fascinating set of stories, all reinforcing the idea that good people (don't) finish last. How did Danny Boyle keep the London Olympics' opening ceremony secret, despite its cast of thousands, its embedded tabloid journalists, and his decision not to use non-disclosure agreements? How do you compare the lives and choices of Goebels and FDR, contemporaries and adversaries? This is all excellent stuff.
Less convincing is his attempt to distill general principles from these stories. But there's plenty here to justify the entrance money. Super, even inspiring, book for a cynical age.
Less convincing is his attempt to distill general principles from these stories. But there's plenty here to justify the entrance money. Super, even inspiring, book for a cynical age.
October 25, 2024
David Bodanis’s The Art of Fairness presents itself as an exploration of how fairness in leadership can lead to success, using a mix of historical and contemporary examples. At first glance, the premise is intriguing and compelling—fairness, often seen as a soft skill, can be a powerful tool in business, politics, and life. However, as the book unfolds, it becomes evident that Bodanis approaches his subject from a predetermined conclusion: that fairness is an essential, non-negotiable component of effective leadership. In doing so, he cherry-picks examples that conveniently fit this narrative, while glossing over instances that might challenge his thesis.
One of the most frustrating aspects of the book is that Bodanis sets up a strong standard for fairness early on, emphasising that true fairness involves empathy, equity, and consistency. However, as he seeks to demonstrate the power of this approach, many of the examples he uses seem selected for their neat fit into his argument, rather than offering a balanced analysis of how fairness plays out in the real world. For instance, he highlights certain leaders and organisations who have succeeded with fairness, but fails to adequately engage with situations where fairness is in conflict with effectiveness, or where it has been manipulated or misinterpreted.
In particular, Bodanis’s portrayal of historical figures such as Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt paints a picture of leaders who, through their fairness, led their nations to triumph. Yet, these figures had their flaws and moments where fairness was not at the forefront of their decisions—nuances that Bodanis often sidesteps. This selective use of examples undermines the book’s credibility, as it feels more like a quest to prove a point than a genuine investigation of fairness as a complex and sometimes elusive quality.
Moreover, by the end of the book, Bodanis’s rigid adherence to his conclusion feels as though it betrays the very notion of fairness that he advocates. True fairness would require an openness to conflicting perspectives and an acknowledgment that fairness is not always simple or straightforward. However, The Art of Fairness leaves little room for ambiguity or contradiction, which ironically goes against the principles Bodanis himself sets out.
In sum, while The Art of Fairness raises important ideas and offers moments of inspiration, it ultimately falls short due to its one-sided approach. A more nuanced and balanced exploration of the topic would have been far more convincing. Instead, by cherry-picking examples that neatly fit his argument, Bodanis violates the very standard of fairness that he champions.
One of the most frustrating aspects of the book is that Bodanis sets up a strong standard for fairness early on, emphasising that true fairness involves empathy, equity, and consistency. However, as he seeks to demonstrate the power of this approach, many of the examples he uses seem selected for their neat fit into his argument, rather than offering a balanced analysis of how fairness plays out in the real world. For instance, he highlights certain leaders and organisations who have succeeded with fairness, but fails to adequately engage with situations where fairness is in conflict with effectiveness, or where it has been manipulated or misinterpreted.
In particular, Bodanis’s portrayal of historical figures such as Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt paints a picture of leaders who, through their fairness, led their nations to triumph. Yet, these figures had their flaws and moments where fairness was not at the forefront of their decisions—nuances that Bodanis often sidesteps. This selective use of examples undermines the book’s credibility, as it feels more like a quest to prove a point than a genuine investigation of fairness as a complex and sometimes elusive quality.
Moreover, by the end of the book, Bodanis’s rigid adherence to his conclusion feels as though it betrays the very notion of fairness that he advocates. True fairness would require an openness to conflicting perspectives and an acknowledgment that fairness is not always simple or straightforward. However, The Art of Fairness leaves little room for ambiguity or contradiction, which ironically goes against the principles Bodanis himself sets out.
In sum, while The Art of Fairness raises important ideas and offers moments of inspiration, it ultimately falls short due to its one-sided approach. A more nuanced and balanced exploration of the topic would have been far more convincing. Instead, by cherry-picking examples that neatly fit his argument, Bodanis violates the very standard of fairness that he champions.
November 24, 2025
Entertainment & Engagement: Good.
The book is engaging and well-written, but the chapters focus heavily on long biographical sections. If you’re not into detailed life stories, this style may feel slow.
Educational Value: Great.
It offers rich background on each figure, covering their lives in depth and highlighting the moments most relevant to the themes of fairness and leadership. The section dealing with WWII is particularly compelling.
Effort, Accessibility & Aesthetic Impact: Good.
It’s an easy, approachable read with no technical jargon or overly ornate language.
Practical Application: Poor.
It’s not a practical or instructional book — and it isn’t trying to be. It’s mainly informative and narrative-driven.
Value for Writers: Poor.
There’s limited direct value for fiction writers unless you draw inspiration from biographies or real historical figures.
The book is engaging and well-written, but the chapters focus heavily on long biographical sections. If you’re not into detailed life stories, this style may feel slow.
Educational Value: Great.
It offers rich background on each figure, covering their lives in depth and highlighting the moments most relevant to the themes of fairness and leadership. The section dealing with WWII is particularly compelling.
Effort, Accessibility & Aesthetic Impact: Good.
It’s an easy, approachable read with no technical jargon or overly ornate language.
Practical Application: Poor.
It’s not a practical or instructional book — and it isn’t trying to be. It’s mainly informative and narrative-driven.
Value for Writers: Poor.
There’s limited direct value for fiction writers unless you draw inspiration from biographies or real historical figures.
September 28, 2022
The basic message of this book is that if you are good at getting along with people, you might succeed in life. I'm not sure I needed a book to tell me this; on the other hand, it was a quick and entertaining read.
I think the book's chapters on Franklin Roosevelt and (even more so) Josef Goebbels were a bit out of place. After reading this, an uninformed reader might think Goebbels was so powerful that he singlehandedly caused all of the Third Reich's self-destructive decisions- something that would have been news to Adolf Hitler (among others). And Roosevelt's success was less due to his basic decency than to the fact that his policies were at least somewhat successful.
I think the book's chapters on Franklin Roosevelt and (even more so) Josef Goebbels were a bit out of place. After reading this, an uninformed reader might think Goebbels was so powerful that he singlehandedly caused all of the Third Reich's self-destructive decisions- something that would have been news to Adolf Hitler (among others). And Roosevelt's success was less due to his basic decency than to the fact that his policies were at least somewhat successful.
September 6, 2025
The conception on paper might have sounded inquisitive, and it is - how many 'fairness' stories you have read as opposed to real-life or fictive crime stories - but the execution faltered. The idea of explaining the concepts through stories was also appealing, but again, the author made it preachy rather than entertaining.
Bodanis was more focused on deriving a syllabus course than jotting a compelling narrative. A rather brilliant idea, to be honest, absolutely squandered in lesser hands.
Bodanis was more focused on deriving a syllabus course than jotting a compelling narrative. A rather brilliant idea, to be honest, absolutely squandered in lesser hands.
January 10, 2026
Surprisingly for a book that contains a chapter on Goebbels, this was an easy, hope-inspiring read - just the thing to kick off the new year. Bodanis is a good storyteller and is careful not to stray into the realms of hagiography when writing about, for example, FDR, which I appreciated (although if you want a book that delves into Roosevelt's weaknesses and failings, this ain't it - but it does (i) admit that and (ii) provide a good reading list for those wanting to do so).
March 30, 2022
A reassuring read in times of trouble. Probably plays into my biases but that’s alright.
Having managed or tried to manage a team for over 30 years I can see in this book why sometimes we succeeded and sometimes we didn’t but trying to build a culture of fairness does leave you with both profit and friends.
Having managed or tried to manage a team for over 30 years I can see in this book why sometimes we succeeded and sometimes we didn’t but trying to build a culture of fairness does leave you with both profit and friends.
July 6, 2025
Fairness to the author might not necessarily be fair to others, I don’t see him succeeding in answering the question, but rather reframing decency into pragmatic terms probably only showing that human race is a long way from being fair if at all, the test chapter shows the author at force slipping into some of the traits he named unfair.
September 11, 2025
I agree with the basic thesis and desperately wanted to like this more. But the evidence assembled felt pretty random and anecdotal; and furthermore there seemed little effort to try and distinguish decency at an interpersonal level from the political level. There would still be room for a much more convincing book on the topic.
October 10, 2025
Hopeful, fascinating, and thoughtfully written though a bit obvious at times. Always worth reminding people that treating people well can lead to everyone succeeding together.
The second half of the book has a particularly intriguing, and unexpected, focus on the impact romantic partners had on the likes of Roosevelt and Goebbels.
The second half of the book has a particularly intriguing, and unexpected, focus on the impact romantic partners had on the likes of Roosevelt and Goebbels.
January 23, 2021
An enjoyable and informative book that manages to make parallels between the likes of a recent indecent president and several excellent examples of decent human beings, without once mentioning his name. A book many people who think of themselves as leaders should read, and learn from.
July 23, 2025
challenging to read for someone who has not expound its vocabulary, yet the words will make up for the readers to visualize and immersed themselves on the stories. great variety of lessons and perspectives. will definitely read once later in my life!!
February 1, 2021
Excellent, thought provoking & somewhat comforting.
October 11, 2021
The chapters about World War Two were hard to read for me personally. There was enough context but I just wasn’t engaged. The earlier chapters I enjoyed!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2022
A fascinating study of a few men and women who have been thrown into managing people and how they dealt with crisis.
March 3, 2025
Excellent. I really enjoyed the format, Mr Bodanis writing style and what I learned.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews