This book is an entertaining and comprehensive examination of how people are manipulated, often by seemingly minor factors. It focuses on web interface design, but delves into advertising and many other social phenomenon. It is an enjoyable and surprisingly compulsive read.The book "addresses" the ethical problems inherent in manipulating people, but largely to diminish their importance or to call them into question. I often wondered if the irony was intended, but, having reached the end if the book, I see it is not. Certainly manipulation and deception may occasionally be helpful. The author offers reassuring children and aiding demented seniors as examples. But in the end he presents a justification of influencing and deceiving people to do things that they would not choose to do if they were not deceived and manipulated. His attitude is that it is a personal choice how far one chooses to push manipulation, observing that too much manipulation can backfire, but basically giving a thumbs up to preying on customers and users where you can get away with it.This book is best read as a guide to common practices of deception and how to recognize and avoid them. It has made me look at the common web page with a great deal more discernment and it has reinforced my intention not to let myself be taken advantage of.