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sydnee_allen's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the flow of this book, reading like a novel rather than most self-help books. Twice today I have tried to see people as people so I think it’s working.
melaniereadsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Very insightful and has a lot of useful info!
darwin8u's review against another edition
4.0
“We separate from each other at our peril.”
― The Arbinger Institute, The Anatomy of Peace: Resolving the Heart of Conflict
“...whenever I dehumanize another, I necessarily dehumanize all that is human---including myself.”
― The Arbinger Institute, The Anatomy of Peace: Resolving the Heart of Conflict
It is seldom I will actually praise a self-help or business-oriented book. They are usually pamphlets expanded, filled with bad writing, cliches, and seem destined to continually try to rebottle old wine. The Arbinger Institute's 'Anatomy of Peace' is a different bird in several ways. It isn't written by one person (although it is largely built from the work of philosopher C. Terry Warner), but rather by an organization. It has its faults and limitations, but is a constructive addition to conflict resolution. It builds on C. Terry Warner's ideas of self-deception, human emotions, and conflcit resolution. C. Terry Warner is a PhD in philosophy and taught for years at BYU so it is natural that the foundations of a lot of Arbinger (a company he founded) is centered around philosophy, theology, and psychology. The foundations of this book look at how understanding others and treating them like humans and not as objects helps us to find peace within, and by doing so leads to better understanding in families, businesses, and nations. It sounds a bit squishier than it is.
Many of the models and even the setting used in this book are familiar to me. The book is set in Arizona (my home state) and is built around a fictional school, Camp Moriah (the book that seems roughly modeled on the Anasazi Foundation, a wilderness program for troubled youth). I should also add that I know the Warner family. I'm good friends with of of C. Terry's daughters and went to high school and university with several of his kids in Utah. He's the real deal, but I might also hold some proximity bias. But whatever bias I hold in favor towards C. Terry Warner should also be balanced by my usual contempt for this type of book. So, I guess it all balances out.
― The Arbinger Institute, The Anatomy of Peace: Resolving the Heart of Conflict
“...whenever I dehumanize another, I necessarily dehumanize all that is human---including myself.”
― The Arbinger Institute, The Anatomy of Peace: Resolving the Heart of Conflict
It is seldom I will actually praise a self-help or business-oriented book. They are usually pamphlets expanded, filled with bad writing, cliches, and seem destined to continually try to rebottle old wine. The Arbinger Institute's 'Anatomy of Peace' is a different bird in several ways. It isn't written by one person (although it is largely built from the work of philosopher C. Terry Warner), but rather by an organization. It has its faults and limitations, but is a constructive addition to conflict resolution. It builds on C. Terry Warner's ideas of self-deception, human emotions, and conflcit resolution. C. Terry Warner is a PhD in philosophy and taught for years at BYU so it is natural that the foundations of a lot of Arbinger (a company he founded) is centered around philosophy, theology, and psychology. The foundations of this book look at how understanding others and treating them like humans and not as objects helps us to find peace within, and by doing so leads to better understanding in families, businesses, and nations. It sounds a bit squishier than it is.
Many of the models and even the setting used in this book are familiar to me. The book is set in Arizona (my home state) and is built around a fictional school, Camp Moriah (the book that seems roughly modeled on the Anasazi Foundation, a wilderness program for troubled youth). I should also add that I know the Warner family. I'm good friends with of of C. Terry's daughters and went to high school and university with several of his kids in Utah. He's the real deal, but I might also hold some proximity bias. But whatever bias I hold in favor towards C. Terry Warner should also be balanced by my usual contempt for this type of book. So, I guess it all balances out.
gospelx's review against another edition
3.0
I feel like giving a full review of this book would elevate it somehow. The book managed to be simultaneously engaging and incredibly useless. I wanted to finish it while complaining about it the whole time. It's not useful. Honestly, it could be summed up with, "Be the change you want to see."
pattydsf's review against another edition
4.0
I can't remember what drew this book to my attention, but since it was available through my library as an ebook, it seemed worth looking at. I am a sucker for books that use fables and stories to get the point across. In this book, a group of parents are brought together to consider their relationships with their children. The children are going on a wilderness experience to help them deal with their problems and are not there willingly. These parents have been dealing with what is wrong with their kids for quite some time.
The story of these families give the author an opportunity to explain what is meant by a heart of peace. The Arbinger Institute says that they deal with the problems created by self-deception. I don't think I could read a dry account of self-deception and why I might be deceiving myself. However, reading the story of people dealing with the issue was easier for me to follow and gave me a way to look at how people including myself are not following the peaceful path.
Since I spend a great deal of my time managing people, I am always looking for a new way to approach the problems I encounter. The ideas in this book are not brand new, but the reminders in it were useful.
I encourage other people who manage employees to take a look at this, I believe that anyone could find reminders of how to get along with others by reading this book and if there are others out there who like to learn through stories, they should also read this book.
The story of these families give the author an opportunity to explain what is meant by a heart of peace. The Arbinger Institute says that they deal with the problems created by self-deception. I don't think I could read a dry account of self-deception and why I might be deceiving myself. However, reading the story of people dealing with the issue was easier for me to follow and gave me a way to look at how people including myself are not following the peaceful path.
Since I spend a great deal of my time managing people, I am always looking for a new way to approach the problems I encounter. The ideas in this book are not brand new, but the reminders in it were useful.
I encourage other people who manage employees to take a look at this, I believe that anyone could find reminders of how to get along with others by reading this book and if there are others out there who like to learn through stories, they should also read this book.
brucefarrar's review against another edition
3.0
Some excellent ideas on conflict resolution told in a somewhat pedantic narrative.
rossi_dyl's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
Gives great insight into conflict with others. There’s a lot I’m looking forward to implementing myself and teaching my staff about.
The fictionalized parts really need to be fleshed out more and glosses over systemic issues, especially in regards to race.
The fictionalized parts really need to be fleshed out more and glosses over systemic issues, especially in regards to race.
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