Publishers Weekly
02/19/2024
Inazu (Uncommon Ground), a professor of law at Washington University in St. Louis, draws on his 12 years in the classroom for solid lessons on handling disagreements in this helpful guide. Much of his wisdom is “simple stuff that’s hard to put into practice.” For example, he advises readers to remain empathetic yet committed to their beliefs; use impasses to “deepen your understanding of what’s at stake”; and prioritize the “person over the problem” even when it takes time and energy. Inazu learned the latter lesson firsthand when he impatiently translated a lengthy fight with his wife into billable hours (“Do you realize how much money this argument just cost us?”). More time is spent unpacking communication issues than offering practical solutions, and those provided can be vague, as when Inazu recommends “asking an appropriately personal question rather than making all of your impersonal relationships purely transactional” without providing an example of such a query or how to work it into conversation. Still, the balanced mix of logic and compassion will help readers better understand how human nature informs conflict. It’s a good starting point for those looking to extend an olive branch. (Apr.)
From the Publisher
A wonderful, quirky, beautifully written, and often quite funny ode to learning how to live with deep differences. I absolutely loved this book. John Inazu writes with the kind of verve, personality, and attention to character that made me feel like I was reading a novel. Unlike most books, this one might actually change how you argue, fight, love, and even hope. It's that good. Shadi Hamid, columnist and editorial board member, Washington Post; author, The Problem of Democracy
Not only helpful, but an absolute delight to read. In a time when there are so few examples of nuance and compassion, John Inazu's voice is one to pay close attention to. Justin Whitmel Earley, business lawyer; speaker; bestselling author, Made for People and Habits of the Household
This wonderful, deeply personal, highly entertaining book takes readers inside the brilliant mind and loving heart of an outstanding legal scholar who wants us to grow genuine friendships, even when we have principled disagreements. Here John Inazu shares everyday encounters from law classrooms, faculty offices, local coffee shops, and life at home with his family to illustrate how challenging it is to show empathy, pursue reconciliation, and offer forgiveness in today's polarized society. Rather than demonizing people who think differently or backing away from hard conversations on divisive moral issues—the way many people do—Inazu shows us how to move into today's cultural conflicts with greater charity. Philip Ryken, president, Wheaton College
Using his law school classroom and personal anecdotes, John Inazu highlights the values of empathy, compassion, forgiveness, and looking for the good in others as some of the most important tools for navigating disagreements in ways that do not dehumanize those whose viewpoints may be different from one's own. As a college president whose role is to cultivate a campus environment that welcomes and supports a multitude of perspectives, I find Learning to Disagree to be a valuable resource for anyone seeking better dialogue across differences. Lori S. White, Ph D, president, De Pauw University
