The book argues against using rewards, punishment, and praise. The author argues well, and the argument aligns with my experience. People use rewards as a manipulation tactic to make others obedient. Rewards/praise don't work to make any meaningful change.
The key reasons against rewards (apart from that they don't work long-term):
- Rewards punish
- Rewards rupture relationships
- Rewards ignore reasons
- Rewards discourage risk-taking
- Rewards undermine interest
In part three, the book suggests the alternatives. That was the most interesting part for me.
The book is well argued but poorly structured. The book is very repetitive and could be half as short. That would make it only better. If you still think that rewards and praise are a good thing, then this book is a must.