Not the book I was expecting going in based on the title and blurb... It read very much like a psych-based essay on many topics, and it felt very much like a presentation by a psychologist trying to explain the 'world' and how/why it functions based on how the human brain functions. For this, I'm giving it 3 stars. But it didn't really deliver on 'it doesn't have to be this way' - the premise is, the human brain is wired a certain way, and that's what the book goes into great length and detail to explain. On that aspect, it's well worth the read.

If you are a fan of Montessori schools, absolute pacifism, and helicopter parenting then this book is for you. If you think that most children are born as sweet little angels and that our misguided attempts to educate and discipline them is what ends up turning so many into uneducated monsters then this book is for you. However, if you are a fan of common sense, if you think that some of the modern "alternative" methods of teaching is why the US ranks barely in or just out of the top 20 by most educational metrics, or if you think setting up discipline and barriers is the best way to direct our children towards healthy productivity, or if you think that there is a real difference between the biological and metaphorical heart, then you might want to avoid this book.

On that last point, I was not joking. Sharon Flaherty "PhD" spent more than three pages trying to explain how the neuronal and hormonal connections between the brain and the heart are proof that our intellect and emotions are inextricably connected. Someone needs to inform this "doctor" that the muscle that pumps blood through our body is not actually the seat of our emotions. While there are some great ideas and interesting things to think about, the head-scratching moments like this were far more common. Ultimately, my most common response while reading this book was Star Trek inspired.

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I like reading different point of view and meditations on the world in which we live. This was perhaps just a bit too scientific for my taste. An interesting addition to the ongoing conversation about our world and times.

I like this book because it touches on things we all experience, especially the first chapter about the inconsistencies in our beliefs and what happens when we're faced with facts. Another thing I love is that each chapter ends with recommended readings, rather than having them all at the end of the book. This makes it easy to explore more about topics I find interesting right away.

In the introduction, the book promises to explain all the violence and tragedy in human history and offer suggestions on how to make things better. However, as I read further, I felt the title could be more accurate. The book mainly focuses on how to raise children well and build a better society, which is quite different from what I expected from the cover. The main message is about the importance of children's growth and development and how our actions toward them shape society. A title that reflects this focus would be more fitting and could attract more readers.

Additionally, I disagree with the book's emphasis on the dominance of brain hemisphere. Many studies have shown this to be a myth. In addition, I believe we actually don't have specific learning styles as unconsciously we actually use all of our senses when we learn.

From a technical perspective, I do not know why it is not responsive to flip the page when reading this book through Adobe Digital Editions (I read on my laptop). It is inconvenient and annoying to read when I am really into the book.