“A colossal, common, and vexing problem, which causes many other devilishly inescapable problems, is not saying ‘no’ before ‘yes’ leaps out of your mouth. In this priceless, practical, pithy volume, Dr. Susan Newman uses her wisdom, wiles, and wit to teach you―kind, nice, good, and giving person that you are―how to bow out gracefully, how to decline an offer without giving offense, and how to teach others to do the same thing. This book is a game-changer and a life saver!”―Edward Hallowell, MD, author of Driven to Distraction and other books

“If you want to be a good friend, team player, and nice person, but always seem to put yourself―and the things you want―last, THE BOOK OF NO is for you. It helps break down the stigma and guilt associated with saying no, and provides hundreds of tips for exactly how to say it in specific circumstances and relationships. You’ll learn the psychology behind why you get sucked into saying yes too often and what to do to stop.”―Alice Boyes, PhD, author of The Anxiety Toolkit: Strategies for Fine-Tuning Your Mind and Moving Past Your Stuck Points

“Overwhelmed? Overextended? Stressed? THE BOOK OF NO is a must-read for the pushover tendency in all of us who agree to most things asked of us. Leading relationship psychologist Susan Newman explains why you say yes too often and how to say no graciously without feeling guilty or offending. Think of it as your life preserver and go-to guide for navigating relationships with your friends, family, spouse, boss, coworkers, parents, kids…even strangers. You’ll want to say yes to THE BOOK OF NO and keep it close by.”―Michele Borba, EdD, educational psychologist and author of UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World

“Does it have to be a fact of life that, as parents, it’s next to impossible to say no to our children? Susan Newman guides parents out of their giving-in habit with toddlers, teens, even adult children with smart advice in situations you will recognize and relate to. If you’re a ‘yes’ parent, you need THE BOOK OF NO to help you stand firm through your parenting journey. It’s healthy for you and your kids!”―Amy McCready, author of The “Me, Me, Me” Epidemic: A Step-by-Step Guide to Raising Capable, Grateful Kids in an Over-Entitled World

“The Book of No gives people the courage to stand up for themselves. Reading it is both helpful and a delight; you find yourself sighing with gratitude, feeling freer because you have the exact words to say ‘no,’ and thinking of who else in your life needs this book.”―Jody J. Foster, MD, MBA and Michelle T. Joy, MD, coauthors of The Schmuck in My Office: How to Deal Effectively with Difficult People at Work

“Sometimes you have to say no so you have time to say yes to what really matters―the things that are important to you, preserve your health, and add to your happiness. That’s the powerful takeaway message from this realistic guide to kicking the ‘yes’ habit and embracing the power of no.”―Ann Douglas, author of Parenting Through the Storm

“All too often we find ourselves overworked and overstressed because we take on too much at work or at home. In short, we have trouble saying no! Dr. Susan Newman’s book is an essential guide for those of us who are too agreeable, nice, or helpful, and really don’t know how to set critical limits.”―Ronald E. Riggio, PhD, professor of Leadership and Organizational Psychology, Claremont McKenna College

“In a world infected by instant gratification and murky boundaries, saying no―and sticking to it―is quickly becoming a lost art. The good news is that Susan Newman is here to help. Using detailed examples, humor, and actionable steps, Newman helps us explore our own obstacles to setting and maintaining healthy boundaries and empowers us to put an end to personal overload. In saying ‘yes’ to ‘no,’ we just might make a dent in putting an end to our current culture of busy.”―Katie Hurley, LCSW, author of No More Mean Girls and The Happy Kid Handbook

“For many of us, it's very difficult to say no. We’re asked to take on extra assignments at work and help colleagues and clients with projects that might be outside our official job description. We’re asked for favors by our friends, by our families, and sometimes even by our LinkedIn connections. And yes, it’s nice to help, but we can end up overburdened. In THE BOOK OF NO, Susan Newman offers great strategies and tips for learning to say no. This book is going to be my new go-to volume for putting a bit more ‘no’ in my life―and in the life of my clients, colleagues, and friends.”―Andy Molinsky, PhD, professor of Organizational Behavior and International Management, Brandeis University, and author of Reach and Global Dexterity

“In this updated edition of THE BOOK OF NO, social psychologist Susan Newman offers research and immensely practical tools to help us set boundaries and stop people-pleasing. The book is fun, easy to read, and provides scenarios like requests to look after a relative’s children, drive your teen to the mall, or give up your weekend plans to do last-minute work. Along with each scenario are specific dialogues that demonstrate exactly what to say. The ‘no’ responses are right on target―assertive and clear, yet respectful. So many of us struggle to skillfully set boundaries without hurting our relationships. This book is just what we need!”―Melanie Greenberg, PhD, clinical psychologist and author of The Stress-Proof Brain

“A wise and practical guide to living a life that fits your personal values, Susan Newman’s newest book is a treasure trove of realistic scenarios and thoughtful responses to help you let go of commitments that leave you feeling resentful and depleted. Whether it’s a whining child or a demanding acquaintance, a guilt-tripping relative or an unreasonable work colleague, THE BOOK OF NO offers doable strategies for

★Sold for Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Turkish, and India-English language rights.
★Enhanced edition of a classic bestseller, with over 75% of the content revised and updated!
★The first edition of this book once topped the Amazon bestseller list in the "Interpersonal Relationships" category and was also No. 1 in the "Interpersonal Relationships" e-book category and No. 1 in the "Self-Help" category on the Kindle store.
★A work by Dr. Susan Newman, a renowned American social psychologist and best-selling author, and a member of the American Psychological Association.
★Recommended by Joseph Grenny, the New York Times bestselling author, keynote speaker, and leading social scientist for business performance.
★Featured by The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Today Show, The Oprah Magazine, Forbes, The New York Post, The Houston Chronicle, The New York Daily News, USA Today, and so on.
★365 specific ways to express refusal accurately. Use the power of refusal to live your life well.

An updated edition of the bestselling guide!

Do you have problems saying "No?”
Do people always turn to you for a favor?
Wonder how you get roped into things you really don't want to do―with friends or family, at work or even with pushy salespeople?
Refusing someone is rarely easy. Often, it's downright uncomfortable. But constantly saying "yes" causes anxiety, anger, stress, regret, and feelings of powerlessness.

Social psychologist and author Dr. Susan Newman empowers you to break your debilitating yes habit with her simple techniques and insights. This new, enhanced edition is filled with research and timely scenarios that offer more ways to say “no” without feeling guilty or damaging your relationships.

You’ll discover how to:

Recognize when someone is manipulating you into “yes"
Be ready with the words you need to refuse
Avoid being overcommitted, overworked and overwhelmed
Put an end to feelings of resentment or frustration
Make quality time for things you want to do
Establish and keep your boundaries strong
Harness the power of “No” and take back your life.

Dr. Susan Newman
Dr. Susan Newman is a renowned social psychologist who teaches at Rutgers University in New Jersey, USA. She has authored numerous books, including Under One Roof Again, Parenting an Only Child, and Little Things Long Remembered, and so on.
Her research and writing focus on parenting and family relationships. She is a regular contributor to Psychology Today and U.S. News & World Report, and her works have also been featured in The New York Times, USA Today, The Washington Post, and many other newspapers and national magazines. Additionally, she frequently appears on mainstream news media such as CNN, NPR, Good Morning America, The Today Show, and CBS Sunday Morning to discuss current events and social trends.
Dr. Newman is a member of the American Psychological Association, the Authors Guild, and the American Society of Journalists and Authors.