‘Thrillingly incendiary’ Alice Vincent

One of the best books to look out for in 2025 The Independent

How a misunderstood emotion can offer you clarity, purpose and strength

We are used to complaining there is too much anger in the world. But what about the cost of having too little? And what if, instead of fearing anger, we learned to use it wisely?

In Good Anger, journalist Sam Parker investigates how one of our most complex emotions became a taboo and the cost that suppressing it has on our mental and physical health, relationships and society. Exploring why anger still confounds us, he ultimately proposes that that good anger anger held in a place of cool, calm clarity, turned into bravery, purpose and self-respect can be life-enhancing.

Drawing on insights from psychology, ancient philosophy and emotional science, Parker looks at the gendered expectations around anger, how repressed rage shows up in our bodies, and the crucial role processing anger plays in depression and anxiety. We learn how listening to and understanding our anger can improve every facet of our lives, from love to creativity to professional success.

This provocative and seemingly counterintuitive book is for people-pleasers, conflict avoiders and self-improvers. It reminds us that embracing our emotions even the ones that scare or confuse us can help us become stronger, happier people.