Book Review: “How to Know a Person” by David Brooks
"How to Know a Person" by David Brooks explores the fundamental importance of understanding and valuing others in various aspects of life, from personal relationships to the workplace. The book emphasizes the skill of truly seeing and recognizing people, making them feel heard and valued. It addresses the common human struggle of not doing this effectively, leading to feelings of invisibility and misunderstanding in others.
Brooks draws on a diverse range of fields, including psychology, neuroscience, theater, history, and education, to provide a comprehensive approach to improving human connections. He poses important questions about how to pay attention to others, what conversations to have, and which parts of a person's story are worth focusing on.
The book offers a hopeful perspective on how we can become more understanding and considerate toward others, ultimately finding joy in being seen and valued. It also suggests that improving our ability to see and understand one another may contribute to addressing societal issues such as fragmentation, hostility, and misperception.
Brooks encourages readers to view the act of truly seeing another person as a creative act, leading to a deeper connection and understanding of both the other person and oneself. "How to Know a Person" is a valuable read for anyone seeking to enhance their relationships, gain a better understanding of others, and foster a sense of being understood and valued. It's a book that explores the art of human connection and offers a remedy for the challenges of contemporary society.
About the Author:
David Brooks is an op-ed columnist for The New York Times and appears regularly on “PBS NewsHour,” NPR’s “All Things Considered” and NBC’s “Meet the Press.” He teaches at Yale University and is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He is the bestselling author of The Social Animal: The Hidden Sources of Love, Character, and Achievement; Bobos in Paradise: The New Upper Class and How They Got There; and On Paradise Drive: How We Live Now (And Always Have) in the Future Tense. He has three children and lives in Maryland.
