Books Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life
Books and Publications Average Rating:

Rating: - A Needed Corrective in a Violent Society
In the distant past, when I was training for work as a therapist, Carl Rogers was one of my gurus. Rogers' concept of absolute respect for the client helped me assist persons and couples in reaching their potential. I am delighted to find Marshall Rosenberg's book--a book that lifts Rogers' concepts out of the therapeutic setting and establishes it in the world of common communication. His writing is clear, and his examples are helpful. I recently used this book in a class that was examining ways of establishing islands of non-violence in a violence-saturated society.

I have one complaint. Rosenberg implies that a careful use of nonviolent communication could rid our relationships of anger. Anger can, indeed, be destructive. Anger needs to be channeled, not eliminated, and nonviolent communication can assist in achieving this goal. But eliminating it altogether? Is there a spouse in this universe who wants to be married to someone who never becomes angry?

So I encourage people to read and respond to this fine book. Know, however, that nonviolent communication, while it can deepen and enrich our relationships, will not turn those relationships into a boring flatness.

Andrew J. (Jack) Good, Roanoke, Virginia

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Rating: - How to communicate in life-giving ways.
This book is based on a foundation of hope--the assumption that people want to be life-giving in their interactions with others. When interactions are not life-giving there is something that is blocking this basic human desire. Rosenburg describes in practical ways how to communicate so as to remove barriers that arise. There are even practice lessons. I have found this book to be one I go back to time and again.

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Rating: - New Skills
This is an down to earth, practical tool for improving your ability to communicate well with other human beings, those close to you and those in situations in which you are connected in other ways. Using ways to clearly convey needs and notice the needs of others is a desperately essential requirement in a warring world. Well worth your attention and practice.

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Rating: - Enlightening, challenging, inspiring, educationally practical
"Nonviolent communications: A Language of Life" is an update to an ancient philosophy of life, seldom practised, that empowers one to become aware of the links between language and emotion from which physical and psychological violence in human life originate. What makes Rosenberg's update worth reading is its articulation of a means of recognizing the clues in our selection and interpretation of language that reveal our real human needs. The book offers a framework for gently uncovering the "viruses of language form" in which we either lose ourselves or ignore others in unwitting ignorance. It reveals, by extensive reference to Rosenberg's own rich experience in mediation and conflict resolution around the world, how these conventions of form often obscure our true needs and those of others rather than help us discover what these needs really are so that we can cooperate to get them met.

Acknowledging that the insight and empathy, whether for other or self, required to do this is rare, Rosenberg's book will nevertheless be an enlightenment for almost all of us of an extraordinarily practical kind. More than a challenge, it is also an inspiration to try out the "NVC skills of language and listening" he both practices and skillfully advocates. It only leaves us wondering where we are likely to be reasonably safe doing so.