How Luck Happens: Using the Science of Luck to Transform Work, Love, and Life book cover

How Luck Happens

Using the Science of Luck to Transform Work, Love, and Life

Janice Kaplan & Barnaby Marsh
3.64(625 Reviews)

Overview of How Luck Happens

Can luck be engineered? "How Luck Happens" reveals the science behind good fortune, featuring insights from Josh Groban and the founders of Warby Parker. Discover why weak social ties - not close friends - often unlock your biggest opportunities. Prepare to make serendipity work for you.

Key Themes in How Luck Happens

  • strategic serendipity
  • opportunity recognition
  • prepared mind
  • calculated risk taking
  • probability management

Quotes from How Luck Happens

  • Luck occurs at the intersection of chance, talent, and hard work.

  • Pick the statistic you want to be.

  • Knowing where to look is crucial for capturing luck.

  • Lucky people consistently recognize and act on opportunities.

Characters in How Luck Happens

  • Janice KaplanAuthor and researcher on the science of luck
  • Barnaby MarshAuthor and expert in dynamics of chance
  • Harrison FordActor used as a case study for chance encounters
  • Alice MartellLiterary agent who leveraged networking into luck

About the Author

About the Author of How Luck Happens

Janice Kaplan and Barnaby Marsh, co-authors of How Luck Happens: Using the Science of Luck to Transform Work, Love, and Life, blend bestselling storytelling with cutting-edge behavioral research.

Kaplan, a New York Times bestselling author and former editor-in-chief of Parade magazine, draws on her decades of experience investigating human behavior through books like The Gratitude Diaries and award-winning journalism. Marsh, a Rhodes Scholar and risk-taking expert, contributes pioneering academic work from institutions like Harvard and Princeton, where he analyzes decision-making in high-stakes environments. Their collaboration merges Kaplan’s accessible self-help frameworks with Marsh’s data-driven insights on opportunity creation.

Kaplan’s thirteen books, including the novel The Botox Diaries, and Marsh’s advisory roles for Fortune 500 leaders underscore their authority in personal and professional transformation. The book’s blend of psychology, sociology, and case studies—featuring luminaries like Kate Spade and Harrison Ford—has been featured in Time, NPR, and corporate training programs worldwide.

Kaplan’s Yale-educated perspective and Marsh’s cross-disciplinary research make How Luck Happens a staple in debates about talent versus chance. For readers seeking actionable strategies, their work builds on Kaplan’s gratitude-focused philosophy and Marsh’s systems for strategic risk-taking.

Download Summary of How Luck Happens

Get the How Luck Happens summary as a free PDF or EPUB. Print it or read offline anytime.

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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
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@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
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"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
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117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
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108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
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254
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17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
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"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

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