A review by loribulb
The Anatomy of Peace: Resolving the Heart of Conflict by The Arbinger Institute
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.