The author draws upon cutting-edge science and painstaking reporting to explore the very heart of panic and poise. He explains why some people thrive under pressure, while others falter--and how we can go forward with steadier nerves and increased confidence.

The closest call -- The nervous trinity. Your second brain : exploring the new science of fear ; The worry trap : eight awful ways (plus a few good ways) to deal with fear and anxiety ; The zen of shock trauma : stress, strain, and coping with chaos -- The elements of cool. Think fast : cognition under pressure, and how to improve it ; Before the madding crowd : decoding the mysteries of performance anxiety and stage fright ; The clutch paradox : why athletes excel-- or choke-- under fire ; Mayday, mayday! : how we react, think, and survive when our lives are on the line -- How to be afraid.