A thoughtful, accessible overview of empathy. Anyone interested in this topic should read this summary of a contentious topic. While not a primary source, it can serve as a well-annotated index to the most interesting and credible of the current literature.

While pitched to the nonspecialist, the author is commendably attentive to the weights of the various empirical claims he reports, resulting in an arguably unique appendix in which he assigns a numerical confidence to the validity of the claims he includes. I rather wish this practice became more common. ( )

In a commencement speech in 2006 by little known senator with a funny name said, "There's a lot of talk in this country about the federal deficit, but I think we should talk more about our empathy deficit." And he went on to describe the ways our country (America) discourages empathy. Since then things have only gotten worse. Jeremy Rifkin goes further: "The most important question facing humanity is this: can we reach global empathy in time to avoid the collapse of civilization and save the earth?"

This book works to help us understand empathy. Highly recommended!

Part of what makes this book so impressive in his intellectual honesty in reviewing the soundness of his claims. Look at the website for more - https://www.warforkindness.com/data
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The War For Kindness is out in the world today, and it is a war. The subtitle: Building Empathy in a Fractured World is what got me. We all know we should be kinder, we know that as a society, we are often impatient at best and cruel at our worst- primarily online.

Zaki has provided a primer of how all of us can grow in kindness, and he doesn't just say what he thinks. The Appendix contains a proof of validity to every claim that he makes in the book. The footnotes are extensive, and inside each chapter, you'll find the narrative highly exciting and easily readable.

This isn't a boring thesis on the subject it shows example after example of how we as humans rarely hate what we know. It isn't just a book that says don't hate- study after study shows that building empathy is a key to kindness
I especially enjoyed reading about the Changing Lives program where convicted felons are introduced to classic literature like The Old Man and the Sea in a discussion setting with the judge who sentenced them and the DA. The discussions include an English professor, and upon successful completion, their sentences were shortened. No one shared personal stories, but through the study of the circumstances and actions of the characters, the convicted men soon began to draw parallels to their own lives and times. They gained empathy into fictional characters, and even that helped them as they struggled through their challenges. At the end of the first year, 45% had not re-offended. There are dozens of other examples in the book ranging from ancient times to the present. It is just excellent.

I think this book would be great for a book club, or assigned high school, college reading. It is my current go-to recommendation for a nonfiction Summer read. ( )