Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
In Search of Common Ground is a profoundly moving account of the power of personal interactions to help us overcome hate. The world as we know it is fiercely divided. But in nine inspiring, enlightening stories, journalist Bastian Berbner shows us that it
is possible to mend our broken relationships.
Berbner travels around the world to get to the root of what pushes people apart. Each chapter uncovers how two sides form a bond and overcome hatred, including:
- Young democrats and republicans (United States)
- A White Supremacist and Black parole officer (United States)
- A homophobic postal worker and gay activist (Ireland)
- A Danish policeman and a Muslim boy in danger of radicalization (Denmark)
- A xenophobic elderly couple and a family of Serbian refugees (Germany)
- A Neo-Nazi and a Palestinian prisoner (Germany)
Berbner speaks to people are the world, including unlikely friends Finbarr O'Brien and Chris Lyons who, by overcoming their individual prejudices, helped legalize gay marriage in Ireland. O'Brien was a conservative postal worker and Lyons a gay activist. Through late-night conversations O'Brien was moved to speak up for gay rights--and together they helped turn the tide of public opinion in favor of legalization, which passed later that year.
Berbner proves again and again that by introducing close interpersonal connections, we can dissolve divisions among race, class, and more. Ultimately, this book inspires readers that we can overcome our prejudices and live without hate.
Synopsis
As heard on NPR's This American Life: Unlikely friendships challenge every kind of bias, to offer hope that our societies can heal Much has been written about our polarized media, social bubbles, and intractable biases. Award-winning journalist Bastian Berbner circled the world to find a different narrative. In Search of Common Ground is his profound collection of true stories that prove it is possible to mend even our fiercest divides.
In Arizona, a former neo-Nazi befriends his Black parole officer. In Germany, an older couple dread the arrival of their new Roma neighbors--but are moved upon meeting them to offer help and become strong supporters. In Ireland, we see one friendship change the world when a gay-rights activist overturns a conservative mailman's homophobia--and together, they help sway public opinion to legalize gay marriage. Other gap-bridging stories include:
- young Democrats and Republicans (United States)
- a Danish policeman and a Muslim boy in danger of radicalization (Denmark)
- a neo-Nazi and a Palestinian prisoner (Germany)
With added historic and sociological research, Berbner gets to the root of what pushes people apart, and shows that we can dissolve divisions by simply meeting face to face. This is essential, uplifting reading for everyone who aspires to live without hate.
Synopsis
An essential book for this moment--here are inspiring stories of people who have built meaningful relationships despite initial deep-seated prejudice, revealing how we can mend our fiercest divides Is there nothing we can do? This is the question that inspired award-winning journalist Bastian Berbner to embark on this book as he surveyed the political arenas in the United States, the United Kingdom, and elsewhere across Europe, compelled by what he describes as "something akin to political fear." What he found in the course of his reporting are people who, despite significant differences in their worldviews and ideas, were able to trust, listen to, and be open with one another.
In Search of Common Ground takes us around the world: to Arizona, where a former neo-Nazi befriends his Black parole officer; to Germany, where an older couple dread the arrival of their new Roma neighbors--but are moved upon meeting them to offer help, becoming their friends and champions; to Ireland, where we see one friendship change the world when a gay-rights activist overturns a conservative mailman's homophobia--and together, they help sway public opinion to legalize gay marriage.
Berbner's intensively reported and compelling accounts are interwoven with expert insight from Nobel Prize-winning economist Daniel Kahneman, psychologist Peter Coleman of Columbia University, and others. This uplifting book vividly shows that we can overcome prejudice and find common ground.
Synopsis
Is there nothing we can do? This is the question that inspired award-winning journalist Bastian Berbner to embark on this book as he surveyed the political arenas in the United States, the United Kingdom, and elsewhere across Europe, compelled by what he describes as "something akin to political fear." What he found in the course of his reporting are people who, despite significant differences in their worldviews and ideas, were able to trust, listen to, and be open with one another.
In Search of Common Ground takes us around the world: to Arizona, where a former neo-Nazi befriends his Black parole officer; to Germany, where an older couple dread the arrival of their new Roma neighbors--but are moved upon meeting them to offer help, becoming their friends and champions; to Ireland, where we see one friendship change the world when a gay-rights activist overturns a conservative mailman's homophobia--and together, they help sway public opinion to legalize gay marriage.
Berbner's intensively reported and compelling accounts are interwoven with expert insight from Nobel Prize-winning economist Daniel Kahneman, psychologist Peter Coleman of Columbia University, and others. This uplifting book vividly shows that we can overcome prejudice and find common ground.