An Effort to Understand
Hearing One Another (and Ourselves) in a Nation Cracked in Half
by David Murray
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Pub Date Mar 02 2021 | Archive Date Mar 02 2021
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Description
“An insightful book packed with wonderful writing, practical advice, and hope for a better, kinder future.” —Jonathan Eig, author of King: A Life
You’re ready to give up. Throw up your hands and walk out the door. You don't know what else to say—to some dear family and close friends, let alone the crazy strangers that seem to populate half the country. You're ready to read An Effort to Understand.
But don’t worry. This is not a book about civility.
Instead, David Murray (blogger, speechwriter, rhetoric authority, and professional curmudgeon) is urging readers to join him in a near-spiritual movement, one that pushes us to consider communication as more than a means of persuading others to our way of thinking, but as a way of thinking all its own.
With his signature blend of wit, warmth, and four-letter words, Murray’s essays tackle subjects from the specter of cancel culture and the responsibilities of citizenship to the art of dealing with annoying neighbors and the challenges of talking to kids about injustice. His words show that the personal and political gulfs between us are small compared to our common desire to connect.
It may be a last-ditch effort, but Americans have a chance at trust, peace, and solidarity if we make an effort to speak more honestly and listen to understand.
Because when it comes to communication, we’re all the bad guys. Thankfully, we have a chance to be the good guys too.
A Note From the Publisher
9781633310490
Advance Praise
"With decades of experience in organizational communications, Murray examines public speeches, from political candidates to corporate CEOs, for clues to how we all can better express ourselves and empathize with friends, family members, co-workers, and fellow citizens."
—David Kusnet, chief speechwriter for President Bill Clinton and author of Speaking American
"Writing simply, directly, and with great kindness, Murray reminds us that the ways in which we communicate show us who we are. A worthy and reparative tool for these times.”
—Phoebe Judge, host and co-creator of the podcasts Criminal, and This Is Love
“An insightful book packed with wonderful writing, practical advice, and hope for a better, kinder future.”
—Jonathan Eig, author of Ali: A Life
“Sharp, witty, and entertaining, An Effort to Understand is a fun—but equally instructive—read!”
—Mike DeWine, Governor of Ohio
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781633310483 |
| PRICE | $16.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 225 |
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