The Sibling Effect

What the Bonds Among Brothers and Sisters Reveal About Us

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.

“Honest and vulnerable and caring.”—The Washington Post

“Addictively readable.”—Entertainment Weekly

“The science of siblings is well overdue for this kind of attention.”—The Boston Globe

“A page turner . . . a worthwhile read for anyone interested in human relationships.”—Associated Press

“Endlessly fascinating.”—Parent Magazine
© Audrey Kluger
Jeffrey Kluger is Editor at Large for TIME magazine and the author of twelve books, including The Narcissist Next Door, Splendid Solution, Apollo 13, Apollo 8 and the novel Holdout. He has written more than 40 cover stories for TIME on topics ranging from space to human behavior to climate to medicine. Along with others at TIME, Kluger is an Emmy nominee for the web series A Year in Space. View titles by Jeffrey Kluger

About

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.

Reviews

“Honest and vulnerable and caring.”—The Washington Post

“Addictively readable.”—Entertainment Weekly

“The science of siblings is well overdue for this kind of attention.”—The Boston Globe

“A page turner . . . a worthwhile read for anyone interested in human relationships.”—Associated Press

“Endlessly fascinating.”—Parent Magazine

Author

© Audrey Kluger
Jeffrey Kluger is Editor at Large for TIME magazine and the author of twelve books, including The Narcissist Next Door, Splendid Solution, Apollo 13, Apollo 8 and the novel Holdout. He has written more than 40 cover stories for TIME on topics ranging from space to human behavior to climate to medicine. Along with others at TIME, Kluger is an Emmy nominee for the web series A Year in Space. View titles by Jeffrey Kluger