Hyperfocus By Chris Bailey and The Intelligence Trap By David Robson 2 Book Set

This two-book collection brings together Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey and The Intelligence Trap by David Robson, exploring attention, productivity and the ways intelligent thinking can still go wrong. Each title looks at how we work and reason, drawing on research and examples to examine why we can feel busy yet achieve less, and how bias can shape even expert judgement.

Across both books, the focus is on practical understanding: managing attention, recognising mental habits, and approaching problems with greater clarity. The set considers concentration and creativity alongside behavioural science, offering a framework for thinking more deliberately in demanding, distraction-heavy environments.

Included titles

• Hyperfocus
• The Intelligence Trap

Key details

• Two-book collection set
• Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey
• The Intelligence Trap by David Robson

Synopses

Hyperfocus

Chris Bailey examines how attention can be managed more effectively at a time when it is constantly overwhelmed. He describes two mental modes: hyperfocus, associated with deep concentration, and scatterfocus, a more creative and reflective state. The book argues that combining these modes can support more creative and efficient work.

The Intelligence Trap

David Robson challenges the assumption that smarter people are less likely to make mistakes, suggesting that education and expertise can sometimes intensify errors and hide bias. Drawing on behavioural science and historical examples from Socrates to Benjamin Franklin, he explores ways to use intelligence more wisely. Topics include identifying bias, improving a ‘rationality quotient’, regulating emotions, refining intuition, handling uncertainty and thinking more flexibly about difficult problems.