How to Have Impossible Conversations

A Very Practical Guide

De: Peter Boghossian, James Lindsay

Narrado por: Peter Boghossian

From politics and religion to workplace negotiations, ace the high-stakes conversations in your life with this indispensable guide from a persuasion expert.

In our current political climate, it seems impossible to have a reasonable conversation with anyone who has a different opinion. Whether you're online, in a classroom, an office, a town hall—or just hoping to get through a family dinner with a stubborn relative—dialogue shuts down when perspectives clash. Heated debates often lead to insults and shaming, blocking any possibility of productive discourse. Everyone seems to be on a hair trigger.

In How to Have Impossible Conversations, Peter Boghossian and James Lindsay guide you through the straightforward, practical, conversational techniques necessary for every successful conversation—whether the issue is climate change, religious faith, gender identity, race, poverty, immigration, or gun control. Boghossian and Lindsay teach the subtle art of instilling doubts and opening minds. They cover everything from learning the fundamentals for good conversations to achieving expert-level techniques to deal with hardliners and extremists. This book is the manual everyone needs to foster a climate of civility, connection, and empathy.

"This is a self-help book on how to argue effectively, conciliate, and gently persuade. The authors admit to getting it wrong in their own past conversations. One by one, I recognize the same mistakes in me. The world would be a better place if everyone read this book."—Richard Dawkins, author of Science in the Soul and Outgrowing God

©2019 Peter Boghossian and James Lindsay (P)2019 Hachette Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

"This is a self-help book on how to argue effectively, conciliate, gently persuade. The authors admit to getting it wrong in their own past conversations. One by one, I recognize the same mistakes in me. The world would be a better place if everyone read this book."—Richard Dawkins, author of Science in the Soul and Outgrowing God

"In a Free Republic there would be no 'impossible conversations', which begs the question: are we truly free anymore? After reading, listening and conversing with Peter and James, I am convinced that they are the Galileo's, I. Kant and even William Tynsdale of our time."—Glenn Beck

"I thought I knew all I needed to know about conversations and arguments. I was wrong. I just knew a lot about debates and rows. In their insightful and highly readable new book, Peter Boghossian and James Lindsay offer all kinds of ingenious pathways to constructive dialogue. At a time when public discourse has degenerated into mud-slinging and when campuses favour every kind of diversity except viewpoint diversity, this is an invaluable contribution. I guarantee that reading it will make you more—much more—persuasive."—Niall Ferguson, Milbank Family Senior Fellow, The Hoover Institution, Stanford

prerequisite to civility

this book should be reading material for people of all backgrounds. in the age of Twitter president and cancel culture, it is of utmost importance to relearn the art of enjoying a conversation, no matter how much of difference of opinion exists.

Lots of Christian strawmen

It has a lot of good tips and techniques and I think that we would all have better interactions with people if we all studied and learned these techniques. That being said, the authors either haven't talked to very many Christians, haven't talked with educated Christians, or are being dishonest in their portrayal of Christians. The narrator also has some difficulty pronouncing certain words, such as similarly. I would still recommend this book

Not terrible, just "meh".

The book had some useful information but wasn't easy to stay interested in. I like books where it ends and I'm left feeling like, "I wish it wasn't over!". This one kept me feeling like, "Let me just get through it". I didn't hate it, but I wouldn't recommend it to a friend.

Wonderful book

A wonderful book. I’m on my second read!! I’m sure there will be a third read

The world needs this book!

Eye opening with something for everyone. I plan to reread at least one more time, maybe several.

Must read especially during these times

Excellent book, gives great advice on how to deal with conversations I would ordinarily avoid. Nowadays people don’t like to have conversations they like to argue especially in social media. This gives great tips on how to and not to engage in them. Will reread several times as I get better at it ☺️

Meh

The steps towards having impossible conversations seems practical. But the author just projected an air of self absorbed arrogance I couldn’t get past.

A commitment to better conversation

Well written, well read and we'll structured. Delivers what it promises. Practical guidance for those who would like to have better conversations with people.
I will be rereading over and over as I'm sure there is much that I missed the first time.

Like Machiavelli for the modern age

There are good ideas for how to have approach difficult conversations. And amazing ideas for how to manipulate people and cause them to question everything they have ever believed in.

For people with a conscience the chapters up through chapter four will be very helpful. For those who are pragmatic enough to want to lay waste to the people around them and all they hold dear, leaving a trail of psychological chaos and destruction in their wake, the rest of the book will serve you well.

WHOA, PERFECT TIMING!

Now I consider myself a fairly good conversationalist, I'm mindful and a lot of the things that he's saying in this book strike me as common sense but overall make total sense. I can't express how refreshing it is to find a book that can educate those that may not be aware of conversational etiquette "No one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care" a bunch of great quotes! Finally a comprehensive book that is in such need given our current division in our country not only am I going to recommend this but I'm going to purchase this for people that I know! Fantastic job my friend!