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What compels someone to save every scrap of paper? What drives Irene, whose hoarding cost her marriage, or Ralph, who nearly lost his house over imagined uses for discarded items? Then there are Jerry and Alvin, wealthy twins who filled luxury apartments with art, leaving no room to sleep. Randy Frost and Gail Steketee, pioneers in the study of hoarding, initially expected to find a few cases but ended up treating hundreds and receiving thousands of calls from concerned families. They delve into the compulsion through compelling case studies, revealing traits that identify hoarders—furniture rendered useless by piles, homes navigable only by narrow paths, and vast collections of paper and animals. They explain the disorder's causes and the often ineffective treatments available. Additionally, Frost and Steketee highlight the universal pull of possessions, showing that whether we are savers, collectors, or compulsive cleaners, we all grapple with impulses that can lead to extreme behaviors. For the six million affected individuals, their families, and anyone with a complex relationship to belongings, this exploration addresses what occurs when our possessions begin to control us.