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clo_leary's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
tomsan's review against another edition
2.0
I'm finding it very tough to finish the book.
Perhaps I'll start with the positive. It's a really thorough detailed history of the many facets of the term empathy. If you want to know exactly what empathy is, and read a series of example of empathy in action then this book is really for you. The author also makes a few suggestions as to how one might improve their empathy.
I was expecting a self-help book to be honest and unfortunately the suggestions on how to be more empathetic are really only blog-worthy. It's a shame because the author has clearly put a huge amount of effort into the book. I just think the tagline "why it matters and how to get it". Is a bit misleading.
The structure is a bit like this:
1. author introduces concept
2. says why it's important
3. example
4. example
5. example
6. example
7. example
8. summary
9. repeat
I think there wasn't really 200 pages of material. As I mention above a series of blog posts would be a better medium.
Perhaps I'll start with the positive. It's a really thorough detailed history of the many facets of the term empathy. If you want to know exactly what empathy is, and read a series of example of empathy in action then this book is really for you. The author also makes a few suggestions as to how one might improve their empathy.
I was expecting a self-help book to be honest and unfortunately the suggestions on how to be more empathetic are really only blog-worthy. It's a shame because the author has clearly put a huge amount of effort into the book. I just think the tagline "why it matters and how to get it". Is a bit misleading.
The structure is a bit like this:
1. author introduces concept
2. says why it's important
3. example
4. example
5. example
6. example
7. example
8. summary
9. repeat
I think there wasn't really 200 pages of material. As I mention above a series of blog posts would be a better medium.
tramanhvo's review
3.0
I've noticed in my life that a lack of understanding for the other person's circumstances can lead to conflict and misery that is not ideal for both parties. I had a realisation about the significance of the idea of negative externalities; not only in the economical realm, where people in regions least responsible for climate change suffer its effects most due to the lack of understanding from fast-fashion customers, but also in the realm of personal relationships, where we sometimes idealise them because we do not realise the emotional devastation the other party has endured.
I appreciate that Krznaric has extended the strategies of developing empathy to both personally and collectively. The book contains useful insights for people interested in activism like me, pointing out that empathy is a good place to start if we want a successful movement, with specific examples. We have the responsibility to connect our peers to people with circumstances different from their own, or "the other", and enable them to see them eye-to-eye as individuals with unique characters. In the personal realm, from the point of reading this book, it is as if a guiding voice has turned on at the back of my head. Every time I become upset because I cannot accept another's viewpoint, the voice tells me to immerse myself in the circumstances of that person. Perhaps it is not outrageous to behave in that way if they were confined to such conditions. And would they appreciate what I am about to say or is it just the release of my own displeasure and urges?
I think this book is a decent starting point if you want to find out about the various facets of empathy. For me personally, I need to start with being empathic with the very people that surround me everyday, and extend that circle gradually. Therefore, I am going to continue my search for more specific titles and practices.
I appreciate that Krznaric has extended the strategies of developing empathy to both personally and collectively. The book contains useful insights for people interested in activism like me, pointing out that empathy is a good place to start if we want a successful movement, with specific examples. We have the responsibility to connect our peers to people with circumstances different from their own, or "the other", and enable them to see them eye-to-eye as individuals with unique characters. In the personal realm, from the point of reading this book, it is as if a guiding voice has turned on at the back of my head. Every time I become upset because I cannot accept another's viewpoint, the voice tells me to immerse myself in the circumstances of that person. Perhaps it is not outrageous to behave in that way if they were confined to such conditions. And would they appreciate what I am about to say or is it just the release of my own displeasure and urges?
I think this book is a decent starting point if you want to find out about the various facets of empathy. For me personally, I need to start with being empathic with the very people that surround me everyday, and extend that circle gradually. Therefore, I am going to continue my search for more specific titles and practices.
katrinia17's review
4.0
I'm doing a lot of reading as of late and moments ago finished On Writing by Stephen King and yesterday I finished Everyone Helps, Everyone Wins by David Levinson. Both are non-fiction but on different subjects from each other. On Writing is a book on writing and Levinson was all about volunteering. Empathy is about Empathy. All good books with a lot of information, a lot of resources, and a lot of stories about others and the authors experience.
I bring this up because Empathy actually talks about writing and how reading can help us with empathy. King brings you into his world and how he became a writer, the challenges and fears that he faced and in the end the near death experience. I spent my time laughing, crying, and at times feeling very, very afraid. Levinson on the other had did the samething minus the fear. Replace the fear with OMG and WTF? Both of these guys can tell a story. They made me feel as if I was just chatting with them over BBQ and maybe a beer. Rootbeer, I don't drink beer.
Roman Krznaric, not so much on the bonding experience.
The book is a quick read but it is full of references and tons of info with little notes and numbers all over the place. There were times that the onion ninjas wanted to come out but I never actually was moved, moved. Not to cry or laugh. Not in fear or disbelief. Not to sit down and chat up the author over some drinks.
But I was moved. I was inspired. I was able to empathize with the author and rejoice with him. I was left with hope and uplifted spirits. This didn't come throughout the book, not like with the others, but when I read the last page, closed the book, and sat back for a moment, that is when it came.
I listened to King and Levinson. I put myself into their shoes and came out understanding them and their lives because I empathized with them. I didn't realize I was putting the habits Krznaric explains in his book to use. I didn't realize it until after I reflected on it all. I think that when I put myself into Krznaric's shoes that is what he would want; for me to reflect on his words and carry them with me.
Because of that I've bumped the rating from a 3 to a 4 star.
I bring this up because Empathy actually talks about writing and how reading can help us with empathy. King brings you into his world and how he became a writer, the challenges and fears that he faced and in the end the near death experience. I spent my time laughing, crying, and at times feeling very, very afraid. Levinson on the other had did the samething minus the fear. Replace the fear with OMG and WTF? Both of these guys can tell a story. They made me feel as if I was just chatting with them over BBQ and maybe a beer. Rootbeer, I don't drink beer.
Roman Krznaric, not so much on the bonding experience.
The book is a quick read but it is full of references and tons of info with little notes and numbers all over the place. There were times that the onion ninjas wanted to come out but I never actually was moved, moved. Not to cry or laugh. Not in fear or disbelief. Not to sit down and chat up the author over some drinks.
But I was moved. I was inspired. I was able to empathize with the author and rejoice with him. I was left with hope and uplifted spirits. This didn't come throughout the book, not like with the others, but when I read the last page, closed the book, and sat back for a moment, that is when it came.
I listened to King and Levinson. I put myself into their shoes and came out understanding them and their lives because I empathized with them. I didn't realize I was putting the habits Krznaric explains in his book to use. I didn't realize it until after I reflected on it all. I think that when I put myself into Krznaric's shoes that is what he would want; for me to reflect on his words and carry them with me.
Because of that I've bumped the rating from a 3 to a 4 star.
eliasiexil's review against another edition
2.0
First of all I have to say that I was REALLY pissed about the fact that the author is considering psycopaths and autists on being in the same range of people who lack empathy. It was really a really unhappy comparison. Other than that it was always written from a white, western, able-bodied, middle class perspective. Also unfortunate. Like empathy is only a luxurious feeling some people in the world needs to find within? Somebody's familiar with the popular notion that people who got very little in life are so grateful and happy with their lot? A big SOS-warning-sign for the lack of intersectional perspective.
kazgriki's review
4.0
Provides an interesting insight into how empathy (and lack of it) has shaped society as we know it today. The book also offers practical advice about how to become more empathetic and lots of anecdotal evidence about the importance of empathy in everything from day-to-day interactions to major political decision-making. A fascinating read.
jkinla's review against another edition
2.0
I had hoped for more information on how to improve empathy on the interpersonal level and this was mostly focused on a wider, global/societal scale. I didn’t find his arguments about how empathy can change the world persuasive as they seemed naively directed at a privileged, Western audience and to imagine that that group would be the primary driver of social revolution ignores the majority of the worlds population. I did flag some notes from the chapter on conversation as that contained some valuable ideas for how to be more empathetic in a meaningful way.