To be successful and enjoy a happy life, it's important to do all the right things: become well educated and wise, develop a strong work ethic, always act with integrity, and treat others well. But what's equally important-yet widely overlooked-is avoiding the calamities that cause you to suffer, go back to square one, or worst of all, die a premature death.

Famed investor Whitney Tilson has made a living managing risks with investments. Now, he turns his attention to the risks in our everyday lives.

The Art of Playing Defense is a practical and actionable guide filled with common sense ideas for avoiding life's calamities, such as marrying the wrong person or having a good marriage go bad, getting thrown in jail, going bankrupt, or suffering a debilitating illness or injury. With Whitney's help, you can avoid these disastrous outcomes.

It's no fun thinking about all the things that can go wrong in life, but if you want to get ahead, you have to start by not falling behind.