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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
Our viewpoints have diverged, and society is dangerously polarized. I wish this book held the antidote. Finding common ground and approaching people with curiosity rather than judgment can only work IF both parties are willing to reach out and have what the author calls "bridging conversations." Guzmán's approach would appeal more if I hadn't seen so much callous name-calling, othering, and labeling online--to the point that my curiosity about how people might have reached their opinions is withering. We have to do better. Society has to WANT to do better, has to WANT to not dehumanize and mischaracterize.
hopeful
informative
reflective
I was so taken aback by this book. A fellow Latina speaking about conversations w/ her conservative Republican parents while she is a liberal Dem. Sounds so familiar & totally hits home, I am a progressive green socialist w/ right-winged parents. The way she goes through being able to have conversations w/ other people who think differently than you & finding common ground is astonishing. As someone who likes to get on their soapbox, this really goes through how to best listen to other people. We all have tough conversations, some more than others yet it's still vitally important to be able to not just dismiss people for how or what they think about a certain topic or issue. Knowing there is an actual way to do this really is helpful considering the divide of the world & it only seems to be getting worse, unfortunately. it is so great to see how they tested out theories of bringing folks together from opposite sides of the political spectrum to have conversations. Not knowing how it was going to go as well as how successful they were is quite the accomplishment. Kudos to Monica for continuing her family relationship, experimenting w/ folks in her state, & writing this book so we could all learn something. I could barely put the book done.
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
This is the best book on bridging the divide in our political discourse I've read yet, and I've read many. Entertaining narrative and great ideas on how to have better conversations and more productive meetings.
I'm posting this review without a star rating because I'm not entirely sure where I would rate it. I admit, I began reading with low expectations for a helpful outcome. Up until the final chapters, I felt justified in that position. I didn't feel that the author really addressed the complexities of any "real" issues in the interest of remaining politically neutral. Tips for productive conversations are all well and good until you start arguing core beliefs with your family members at Thanksgiving dinner. The final portion of the book did a better job for me in addressing those types of tough, no holds barred conversations, but I wish that there had been more of it throughout the book. Overall, worth the read and definitely some things to try, but it left me a bit underwhelmed.
I'm posting this review without a star rating because I'm not entirely sure where I would rate it. I admit, I began reading with low expectations for a helpful outcome. Up until the final chapters, I felt justified in that position. I didn't feel that the author really addressed the complexities of any "real" issues in the interest of remaining politically neutral. Tips for productive conversations are all well and good until you start arguing core beliefs with your family members at Thanksgiving dinner. The final portion of the book did a better job for me in addressing those types of tough, no holds barred conversations, but I wish that there had been more of it throughout the book. Overall, worth the read and definitely some things to try, but it left me a bit underwhelmed.
Eye opening, insightful, and has good tools to help navigate sticky conversations in today's polarized world.
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
I have some pretty strong political opinions, and there are some people I'll love forever who hold strictly to opposing political beliefs... Yikes!
Author Monica Guzman begins this book with a similar quandary- she is a liberal and her beloved parents voted for Donald Trump... twice. While she begins this book with her reasons for wanting to stay in relationship and conversation with her parents and other fellow Americans, the bulk of this book contains proven, practical advice for holding these hard conversations.
While the author is definitely left leaning, she takes care to evenly divide her examples between conservatives and liberals. I think any open minded, curious person will find this book supportive and beneficial.
I received an Arc of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. My thanks to the author, publisher, and #NetGalley for the opportunity.
#INeverThoughtOfItThatWay
Author Monica Guzman begins this book with a similar quandary- she is a liberal and her beloved parents voted for Donald Trump... twice. While she begins this book with her reasons for wanting to stay in relationship and conversation with her parents and other fellow Americans, the bulk of this book contains proven, practical advice for holding these hard conversations.
While the author is definitely left leaning, she takes care to evenly divide her examples between conservatives and liberals. I think any open minded, curious person will find this book supportive and beneficial.
I received an Arc of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. My thanks to the author, publisher, and #NetGalley for the opportunity.
#INeverThoughtOfItThatWay