The new book from the author of The Undercover Economist shows us how we can lead messier lives - and why we should.

'A very very good book, full of wise counterintuitions and clever insights' Brian Eno

Messy celebrates the benefits that messiness has in our lives: why it's important, why we resist it, and why we should embrace it instead. Drawing from research in neuroscience, psychology, and social science, Tim Harford explains that the human qualities we value - creativity, responsiveness, resilience - are integral to the disorder, confusion, and disarray that produce them.

'Ranging expertly across business, politics and the arts, Tim Harford makes a compelling case for the creative benefits of disorganization, improvisation and confusion. His liberating message: you'll be more successful if you stop struggling so hard to plan or control your success. Messy is a deeply researched, endlessly eye-opening adventure in the life-changing magic of not tidying up' Oliver Burkeman

'Harford's argument goes beyond aesthetics, resurfacing over and over in his engrossing narrative' Maria Konnikova, New York Times Book Review

Messy is an intelligent self-help book designed to cultivate greater tolerance for spontaneity, uncertainty, dissonance and diversity. Harford's evidence-based account transcends the cliches endemic to the genre - or refashions them anew