dougsasser's review against another edition
3.0
The message of the book has to do with not objectifying people and seeking to understand those we fear or mistrust. A fictional narrative occupies the largest portion of the book. That portion is poorly written and it made the book a ponderous read.
rbharath's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.5
I was referred this book by some friends. It tackles the issue of how we get into conflicts with others, how they get worse and how we can resolve this with fresh thinking. Since the book is largely a dialogue among people, the audiobook is a great format.
The setting is a fictional meeting of a group of people at Camp Moriah. As they dialogue, helped by the hosts, they understand how conflicts are generated in their minds. The primary concept the book covers is – having a heart at peace vs a heart at war. A heart at peace views others as human beings with their aspirations, views, and feelings. A heart at war dehumanizes the other, viewing them as objects. It often becomes a vicious cycle of hate. The later sections move to the ‘The Pyramid of Change’ on how we can set this right.
This is a well-intentioned book, though conceptually it is sparse and you can find other mindfulness books today which cover more aspects of how we acquire our views, how we can be more self-aware and use that to understand & build fair & sound relationships.
lauralauralaura's review against another edition
4.0
This year has been one where I've consumed media, had the initial reaction that it's corny AF, then found it sticking with me and influencing me days and months later. I can tell that this deeply contrived yet cognitively sticky allegorical tale about the way our attitude towards other people is way more significant than our behavior towards other people is yet another case in point.
sribbleinc's review
4.0
It's amazing how sticky narrative-style writing is: The concepts in this book are invaluable for anyone who wants to learn how to effectively handle conflict, communicate with others, and be empathic in a way that will work towards understanding and positive growth. My one gripe is by being so pure with the storytelling, some of the concepts get lost in the story. Nonetheless, the appendix does a pretty good job of recapitulating the useful strategies and core ideas.
kimberly_witmer's review
challenging
medium-paced
5.0
This book is amazing. I found myself beginning to apply the concepts I was reading about to my own life before I even finished the book. More than a book about conflict resolution, The Anatomy of Peace is a call to actively bring peace into your personal relationships, workplaces, and worlds as well as a toolbox to help you get started.
nbetterley's review
4.0
There are some really good messages in this book despite the contrived story situation and the controversy over who the author is (and isn't) and what background they come from. It maybe crosses some lines when it tries to talk about broader race relations, but the approach to interpersonal relationships is spot on and really useful.
loribulb's review against another edition
3.0
While I enjoyed the way the information was presented, I felt like I had been told a story that left out the last chapter.
The lessons in the book were presented by describing a workshop with parents who had put their children in a rehab camp. The workshop was to teach the parents the lessons their children would encounter at the camp, and the story specifically centered around one father named Lou. You learned Lou is a jerk- to his kid, his wife, and the employees of his company. Through the book you see how he learns and decides to change because of the lessons he learns. You hear how he's going to write letters to those he's wronged, make amends, etc.
And that's what I feel was missing. I wanted to know the reactions of others to all his attempts to make amends. It felt like a cop-out, in a way, to not follow through with the set-up story. I know that wasn't the point of the book, but it feels like there should've been a little something letting you know if it worked- or if it didn't work, how to carry on.
Other than that, the concepts presented have merit. I want to believe they'll work in "the real world" and I'm going to try, but I have my doubts. In relationships and personal dealings, I think the 'heart at peace' concept is great. In terms of driving California freeways, I'm still going to yell at the idiots on the road- I'll have a hard time seeing them as people with feelings like me when they cut me off.
The lessons in the book were presented by describing a workshop with parents who had put their children in a rehab camp. The workshop was to teach the parents the lessons their children would encounter at the camp, and the story specifically centered around one father named Lou. You learned Lou is a jerk- to his kid, his wife, and the employees of his company. Through the book you see how he learns and decides to change because of the lessons he learns. You hear how he's going to write letters to those he's wronged, make amends, etc.
And that's what I feel was missing. I wanted to know the reactions of others to all his attempts to make amends. It felt like a cop-out, in a way, to not follow through with the set-up story. I know that wasn't the point of the book, but it feels like there should've been a little something letting you know if it worked- or if it didn't work, how to carry on.
Other than that, the concepts presented have merit. I want to believe they'll work in "the real world" and I'm going to try, but I have my doubts. In relationships and personal dealings, I think the 'heart at peace' concept is great. In terms of driving California freeways, I'm still going to yell at the idiots on the road- I'll have a hard time seeing them as people with feelings like me when they cut me off.
debbiesbooknook's review against another edition
4.0
This little book had some useful advice and techniques.
kylita's review against another edition
4.0
There are many aspects of this book that have me thinking, and trying to figure out what I can personally do to be better, and not justify contempt or bad feelings towards people.
However, I kept wanting to stop reading because he fictionalized characters made me want to roll my eyes too many times. I get that it is a teaching book, a self help book made fiction, but I wish the characters had more to them.
However, I kept wanting to stop reading because he fictionalized characters made me want to roll my eyes too many times. I get that it is a teaching book, a self help book made fiction, but I wish the characters had more to them.