Discover the Penguin books that shaped us

Surrounded by

by7 books in this series
Book cover of Surrounded by Liars by Thomas Erikson

Surrounded by Liars

The funny and practical guide on how to handle the liars in your life, from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Surrounded by Idiots.

Studies suggest two people who have never met before will tell three lies within the first five minutes. Astonishing, yes. But why do people lie? And how can you spot deception before it hurts you?

In Surrounded by Liars, behavioural expert and bestselling author Thomas Erikson unpacks the psychology of lying and how dishonesty affects our relationships, confidence and decision-making.

Using his signature four-colour model, he explains how different personality types lie—and how you can detect their tactics. You’ll learn how to:


  • Recognise subtle cues and half-truths

  • Understand the motives behind common lies

  • Confront dishonesty with calm and clarity

  • Protect yourself from emotional manipulation


Insightful, entertaining and empowering, Surrounded by Liars will help you to detect the liars in your life and shatter their deception for good!

Praise for Surrounded by Liars and Thomas Erikson:

'Outstanding . . . Erikson impresses with his trademark facility for making research-based discussions accessible and entertaining' Publishers Weekly

‘A good resource for understanding how different personalities communicate and deal with feedback…Everyone should read [it]' Business Insider

Equal parts logical, emotionally astute, and gut-wrenchingly funny…Buy it!' Jim McPartlin, author of The Enneagram at Work

‘Everyone can benefit from this book’ Booklist

Life changing’ 5-star reader review

‘Has enabled better communication with my peers and colleagues as well as my family.’ 5-star reader review

Clear, insightful easy to read book with plenty [of] practical advice’ 5-star reader review

A must-read to guide you on understanding yourself and others’ 5-star reader review

Book cover of Surrounded by Vampires by Thomas Erikson

Surrounded by Vampires

The funny and practical guide on how to spot - and slay - the time, energy and soul suckers in your life, from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Surrounded by Idiots.

'With his trademark humor and practical insights…you'll learn how self-awareness is the key to preserving your time, energy, and sanity-no matter what comes your way.' Gay Hendricks, bestselling author of The Big Leap

Do you often feel exhausted by conversations? Are there people in your life with belittle you through words or actions? Do you have colleagues who take up your time and don't actually do much?

You could be surrounded by vampires!

In Surrounded by Vampires, behavioural expert and bestselling author Thomas Erikson reveals how to identify and deal with those who sap your energy - whether they’re colleagues, friends or even your own habits.

With practical tools and sharp insight, you’ll discover how to:


  • Recognise emotional and mental “vampires” in your daily life

  • Set limits and protect your time and wellbeing

  • Build emotional resilience and self-awareness

  • Reclaim your focus, motivation and inner calm


Funny, wise and immediately useful, Surrounded by Vampires will help you banish the energy-suckers once and for all - and thrive in a life that feels lighter, calmer and more fulfilling.

Praise for Surrounded by Vampires and Thomas Erikson:

'Outstanding . . . Erikson impresses with his trademark facility for making research-based discussions accessible and entertaining'?Publishers Weekly

‘A good resource for understanding how different personalities communicate and deal with feedback…Everyone should read [it]' Business Insider

Equal parts logical, emotionally astute, and gut-wrenchingly funny…Buy it!' Jim McPartlin, author of The Enneagram at Work

Everyone can benefit from this bookBooklist

Life changing’ 5-star reader review

‘Has enabled better communication with my peers and colleagues as well as my family.’ 5-star reader review

Clear, insightful easy to read book with plenty [of] practical advice’ 5-star reader review

A must-read to guide you on understanding yourself and others’ 5-star reader review

Book cover of Surrounded by Setbacks by Thomas Erikson

Surrounded by Setbacks

The funny and practical guide on how succeed when everything goes wrong, from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Surrounded by Idiots.

Not everything goes the way we want it to - the world or people around us sometimes just spin out of control. So how do you handle everything life throws your way when you'd really prefer to tell everyone to get stuffed?

In his uplifting and inspiring, behavioural expert and bestselling author Thomas Erikson helps you turn challenges into opportunities and failure into growth.

Drawing on the four-colour model that has inspired millions, Erikson shows you how to:


  • Regain control when life feels chaotic

  • Replace frustration with problem-solving focus

  • Build resilience through self-awareness and perspective

  • Turn adversity into lasting success



Warm, witty and full of real-world wisdom, Surrounded by Setbacks reminds you that success isn’t about avoiding problems, it’s about learning to handle them with courage and confidence.

Praise for Surrounded by Setbacks and Thomas Erikson:

'Outstanding . . . Erikson impresses with his trademark facility for making research-based discussions accessible and entertaining'?Publishers Weekly

‘A good resource for understanding how different personalities communicate and deal with feedback…Everyone should read [it]' Business Insider

Equal parts logical, emotionally astute, and gut-wrenchingly funny…Buy it!' Jim McPartlin, author of The Enneagram at Work

Everyone can benefit from this bookBooklist

Life changing’ 5-star reader review

‘Has enabled better communication with my peers and colleagues as well as my family.’ 5-star reader review

Clear, insightful easy to read book with plenty [of] practical advice’ 5-star reader review

A must-read to guide you on understanding yourself and others’ 5-star reader review

Book cover of Surrounded by Bad Bosses and Lazy Employees by Thomas Erikson

Surrounded by Bad Bosses and Lazy Employees

The funny and practical guide on how to deal with difficult managers, colleagues, and teams, from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Surrounded by Idiots.

Being driven crazy by a micro-manager? Frequently drowning under your boss's unreasonable expectations? Struggling with being handed out responsibilities but no authority?

Behavioural expert and bestselling author Thomas Erikson is here to help.

In his inspiring – and, at times, funny – guide, Erikson shows how understanding your boss's behavioural tendencies, as well as your own, will lead to a more harmonious and productive workplace. Using his famous four-colour model, he shows you how to:


  • Decode your boss’s or team’s behaviour

  • Manage up and handle tricky feedback

  • Boost motivation and productivity across different personalities

  • Communicate effectively in even the most frustrating environments


Written with Erikson's signature humour and warmth, Surrounded by Bad Bosses (and Lazy Employees) will help you deal with hopeless managers and employees to build better relationships at work – and stay sane in the process.

Praise for Thomas Erikson:

'Outstanding . . . Erikson impresses with his trademark facility for making research-based discussions accessible and entertaining' Publishers Weekly

‘A good resource for understanding how different personalities communicate and deal with feedback…Everyone should read [it]' Business Insider

Equal parts logical, emotionally astute, and gut-wrenchingly funny…Buy it!' Jim McPartlin, author of The Enneagram at Work

Everyone can benefit from this bookBooklist

Life changing’ 5-star reader review

‘Has enabled better communication with my peers and colleagues as well as my family.’ 5-star reader review

Clear, insightful easy to read book with plenty [of] practical advice’ 5-star reader review

A must-read to guide you on understanding yourself and others’ 5-star reader review

Book cover of Surrounded by Psychopaths by Thomas Erikson

Surrounded by Psychopaths

The funny and practical guide on how to handle life’s manipulators and avoid being exploited by them, from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Surrounded by Idiots.

Some people are exceptionally manipulative. They can convince anyone about anything and lure them with their charm. They enjoy controlling others and will do anything to get what they want.

The bad news is that you can’t really escape them. But here comes the good news: you can beat them at their own game.

In his inspiring – and, at times, funny – guide, bestselling behavioural expert Thomas Erikson explains how manipulative people exploit our weaknesses and personality traits - and how to protect yourself. Using his famous four-colour model, Erikson shows you how to:


  • Identify the signs of manipulation early

  • Set healthy boundaries and stand your ground

  • Stay calm and confident in toxic situations

  • Reclaim your emotional energy and peace of mind


Insightful, entertaining and empowering, Surrounded by Psychopaths will give you everything you need to handle life’s most skilled manipulators, identify the psychopaths in your life, and free yourself from their control.

Praise for Surrounded by Psychopaths and Thomas Erikson:

'Outstanding . . . Erikson impresses with his trademark facility for making research-based discussions accessible and entertaining' Publishers Weekly

‘A good resource for understanding how different personalities communicate and deal with feedback…Everyone should read [it] Business Insider

Equal parts logical, emotionally astute, and gut-wrenchingly funny…Buy it!' Jim McPartlin, author of The Enneagram at Work

Everyone can benefit from this bookBooklist

Life changing’ 5-star reader review

‘Has enabled better communication with my peers and colleagues as well as my family.’ 5-star reader review

Clear, insightful easy to read book with plenty [of] practical advice’ 5-star reader review

A must-read to guide you on understanding yourself and others’ 5-star reader review

Book cover of Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson

Surrounded by Idiots

The witty and practical bestseller and global phenomenon that helps you to understand and communicate better with those around you.

THE NUMBER 1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

Do you ever think you're the only one making any sense? Have you ever tried to reason with your partner with disastrous results? Do long, rambling answers drive you crazy? Does your colleague's abrasive manner get your back up?

You are not alone.

Communication expert and bestselling author Thomas Erikson has dedicated himself to understanding how people function and why we often struggle to connect with certain types of people.

In his simple but groundbreaking book, Erikson reveals the four types of human behaviour -Red, Yellow, Green and Blue - and how understanding them can transform every interaction in your personal and professional life.

By learning how to read personality cues, adapt your communication style and handle conflict confidently, you’ll:


  • Build stronger relationships at work and home

  • Improve teamwork and leadership skills

  • Boost empathy and self-awareness

  • Finally understand why people behave the way they do


Packed with humour, insight, and practical strategies, Surrounded by Idiots?will help you understand and influence those around you, even people you currently think are beyond all comprehension.

And with a bit of luck you can also be confident that the idiot out there isn't you!


Praise for Surrounded by Idiots and Thomas Erikson:

'Outstanding . . . Erikson impresses with his trademark facility for making research-based discussions accessible and entertaining'?Publishers Weekly

‘A good resource for understanding how different personalities communicate and deal with feedback…Everyone should read [it]' Business Insider

Equal parts logical, emotionally astute, and gut-wrenchingly funny…Buy it!' Jim McPartlin, author of The Enneagram at Work

‘Everyone can benefit from this book’ Booklist

Life changing’ 5-star reader review

‘Has enabled better communication with my peers and colleagues as well as my family.’ 5-star reader review

Clear, insightful easy to read book with plenty [of] practical advice’ 5-star reader review

A must-read to guide you on understanding yourself and others’ 5-star reader review