Epitomes of Core Books You May Want to Read

You may ask, Why condense pivotal books to a few pages?  Should one not just read the originals?  Summaries distort what they condense; these epitomes are no exception.  Epitomizing forces one to decide an author’s meaning.  Reframing an author’s thoughts aids recollection.  Given the time constraints of higher education and life’s many demands, few read many books.  Though time-starved, many, nevertheless, need the counsel unread texts impart.  Epitomes provide a texture, if not the entire fabric, of important books and essays.  As opportunity emerges, read originals.

Gottmann, John M. and Joan DeClaire.  The Relationship Cure:  A 5 Step Guide to Strengthening Your Marriage, Family, and Friendships.  New York:  Three Rivers Press, 2001.

This book concerns how human relationship develop and improve, and contains a popularization of the neurological research of Jaak Panksepp, which may fundamentally alter the way you understand your own mind and relationships.  Bid and respond; bid and respond.  Click to read Brad's epitome of The Relationship Cure.

Stone, Douglas, Bruce Patton, Sheila Heen.  Difficult Conversations:  How To Discuss What Matters Most.  New York:  Penguin Books, 1999.

 This book concerns conversations people avoid, ones laden with the possibility of conflict.  These authors relate their learning at the Harvard Negotiation Project, and offer an approach to much-avoided conversations that promises a respectful dialogue and maybe even resolution.  Click to read Brad's epitome of Difficult Conversations. 

 
Keltner, Dacher.  Born to Be Good:  The Science of a Meaningful Life.  New York:  W. W. Norton & Company:  2009.

This book concerns human evolutionary propensities to be and do good.  Keltner argues that humans are hard-wired to create meaningful life.  It may help you think differently about human failings, sin, and your own shortcomings, as well as to be optimistic about your potential for creating a life you value.  Click to read Brad's epitome of Born to Be Good. 

Block, Peter.  Community:  The Structure of Belonging.  San Francisco, California:  Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc., 2008.

Peter Block's book concerns human community, why our culture injures community, and how to create better communities.  Block's view of transformative community closely parallels the attitudes and beliefs that most collaborative practitioners share about their work with people in disputes.  Click to read Brad's epitome of Community.