New Beginnings

why change is hard and how we can achieve it
Stefan Klein (trans. David Shaw)

Praise for We Are All Stardust:

‘[Klein’s] interview subjects explain their science clearly and display their passions vividly, making this an engaging introduction to a great breadth of scientific topics.’

American Scientist

Praise for We Are All Stardust:

‘[A] comprehensive book of ideas, distilled in language that even a layperson can understand.’

Thuy On, Sunday Age

View all reviews

Praise for We Are All Stardust:

‘Klein has chosen an eclectic group to tackle everything from expected questions about their areas of study to issues concerning religion, morality, pain, and parenthood … He is exceedingly well read in the work of his interviewees, and they exchange ideas with ease, moving readily from deeply technical concepts to pop culture, making for an exceedingly welcome volume that will expose readers to all manner of topics that are likely new to them in a manner that focuses first on the lively personalities of the scientists, while slowly diving into their work … Truly enjoyable.’

Booklist

‘Stefan Klein is convinced that happiness is different from fortune or chance. In his new book The Science of Happiness he sums up the insights into the subject. His newest scientific conclusion: “Happiness can be learned — if you know the rules by which it plays with us.”’

Cosmopolitan

Praise for The Science of Happiness:

‘The Science of Happiness 'makes a compelling case about the way our brains work that will impress or unsettle, depending on a reader's attitudes to life (or basic brain chemistry) ... For people who have assumed that we have no option but to play the hand our genes deal us, Klein's summary of the science can be liberating. However, even though he explains how neuroscience can provide us with strategies to push ourselves towards happiness, without expecting assistance from God or psychiatry, the point of the book is that it is still up to us, however the chemicals in our brain bless or curse us.’

Universe Today

**Praise for We Are All Stardust:**‘The dazzling clutch of scientific minds caught in mid-thought here makes for a read that provokes thought in its turn … This collection sees science writer Stefan Klein interview the likes of anthropologist Sarah Hrdy and astronomer Martin Rees. Delights abound.’

Barbara Kiser, Nature

We know that we must change ourselves and the world if we want to survive. So why do we cling to old habits and false certainties instead of embracing change now?

In New Beginnings, Stefan Klein delves into the most pressing problems facing our world — from the climate crisis to the rapid development of artificial intelligence — and investigates why individuals and societies often resist necessary changes, despite knowing the risks of inaction.

Blending scientific insights with vivid storytelling, Klein unpacks the psychological and social forces that keep us stuck, and identifies what he calls the ‘seven illusions about progress’ that hinder our ability to adapt. Central to his analysis is the idea that transformation is not only necessary but also achievable, provided we understand the mechanisms of change and embrace a mindset that values adaptability.

New Beginnings stands out for its ability to make complex global challenges comprehensible and relatable. With his trademark clarity and optimism, Klein inspires belief that necessary change is not only possible but accessible for a sustainable future.

Praise for We Are All Stardust:

‘[Klein’s] interview subjects explain their science clearly and display their passions vividly, making this an engaging introduction to a great breadth of scientific topics.’

American Scientist

Praise for We Are All Stardust:

‘[A] comprehensive book of ideas, distilled in language that even a layperson can understand.’

Thuy On, Sunday Age

View all reviews

Praise for We Are All Stardust:

Booklist

Cosmopolitan

Praise for The Science of Happiness:

Universe Today

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Details

Format:Paperback

Size: 210mm × 135mm

Extent:224pp

ISBN (13):9781761381683

RRP:$32.99

Pub date:6 Jan 2026

Rights Held: UK & Commonwealth (ex. Can)

High-res cover:Download Image

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AUTHOR

Stefan Klein

Stefan Klein, born in 1965, is Germany’s most successful science author and is recognised as one of Europe’s most influential science writers and journalists. After studying physics and analytical philosophy in Munich, Grenoble, and Freiburg, he turned to writing because he ‘wanted to inspire people for a reality that is more exciting than any crime thriller’. His books, which have been translated into more than 25 languages, include the #1 international bestseller The Science of Happiness, The Secret Pulse of Time, Leonardo’s Legacy, and We Are All Stardust. He lives and works as a freelance writer in Berlin.

TRANSLATOR

David Shaw

David Shaw works as a journalist for Germany’s international broadcaster, Deutsche Welle, as well as translating from several languages, including German, Dutch, Russian, and French. He lives in Berlin.

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New Beginnings

why change is hard and how we can achieve it
Stefan Klein (trans. David Shaw)

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why change is hard and how we can achieve it Stefan Klein (trans. David Shaw)

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why change is hard and how we can achieve it
Stefan Klein (trans. David Shaw)