What People Are Saying About Nonviolent Communication™
Relationships:
“Marshall Rosenberg’s dynamic communication techniques transform potential conflicts into peaceful dialogues. You’ll learn simple tools to defuse arguments and create compassionate connections with your family, friends, and other acquaintances.”
—JOHN GRAY, author, Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus
“Nonviolent Communication can change the world. More importantly, it can change your life. I cannot recommend it highly enough.”
—JACK CANFIELD, author, Chicken Soup for the Soul Series
“Marshall Rosenberg provides us with the most effective tools to foster health and relationships. Nonviolent Communication connects soul to soul, creating a lot of healing. It is the missing element in what we do.”
—DEEPAK CHOPRA, author, How to Know God and Ageless Body and Timeless Mind
“I have taken conversations that were headed for the dumps, starting using these techniques, and ended up with a very useful bonding experience.”
—An online reviewer
“If you want to be heard, and to hear what your loved ones are truly saying behind what there saying, read this book! It will change your life.”
—An online reviewer
“Rosenberg has developed a simple method of communicating that helps to avoid triggering a defensive reaction, and instead stimulate understanding and agreement. It is invaluable in all your relationships, and definitely should be required reading for everyone.”
—An online reviewer
Conflict Transformation:
“Nonviolent Communication is one of the most useful processes you will ever learn.”
—WILLIAM URY, coauthor, Getting to Yes
“In this book, you will find an amazingly effective language for saying what’s on your mind and in your heart. Like so many essential and elegant systems, it’s simple on the surface, challenging to use in the heat of the moment and powerful in its results.”
—VICKI ROBIN, coauthor, Your Money or Your Life
“As far as nonviolence and spiritual activism, Marshall Rosenberg is it! Applying the concepts within these books will guide the reader towards fostering more compassion in the world.”
—MARIANNE WILLIAMSON, author, Everyday Grace and honorary chairperson, Peace Alliance
“Like Noam Chomsky, Rosenberg’s work is intrinsically radical, it subverts our whole status-quo system of power: between children and adults, the sane and the psychotic, the criminal and the law. Rosenberg’s distinction between punitive and protective force should be required reading for anyone making foreign policy or policing our streets.”
—D. KILLIAN, reporter, On The Front Line, Cleveland Free Times
“We have lived traumatic moments over and over again—moments of fear and panic, incomprehension, frustrations, disappointment, and injustice of all sorts, with no hope of escape—which made it even worse. Nonviolent Communication offers us a peaceful alternative for ending this interminable Rwandan conflict.”
—THEODORE NYILIDANDI, Rwandan Department of Foreign Affairs; Kigali, Rwanda
“In our present age of uncivil discourse and mean-spirited demagoguery, the principles and practices of Nonviolent Communication are as timely as they are necessary to the peaceful resolution of conflicts, personal or public, domestic or international.”
—MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW, Taylor’s Shelf
“Rosenberg describes how, in numerous conflicts, once ‘enemies’ have been able to hear each other’s needs, they are able to connect compassionately and find new solutions to previously ‘impossible’ impasses. If you want to learn ways of more skillful speech I highly recommend this clear, easy-to-read book.”
—DIANA LION, Buddhist Peace Fellowship, Turning Wheel Magazine
“A simple communication process that eliminates the competitive, adversarial, and violence provocative style of communication that has infected most of our lives. This is not about the meek inheriting the world or being nice docile cogs in our power-over, hierarchical system. It is about the ‘protective use of force,’ vulnerability, heart-to-heart dialogue, and getting our needs meet in a way we will less likely regret.”
—An online reviewer
“As a professional in the field, I can say that this book practices what it preaches, and I found the step-by-step approach, exercises, and examples to be clear and easy to practice.”
—A reader in Maryland
“I have never read a clearer, more straightforward, insightful book on communication. Amazingly easy to read, great examples, and challenging to put into practice—this book is a true gift to all of us.”
—A reader in Washington
“Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg is a great book teaching a compassionate way to talk to people—even if you (or they) are angry.”
—JOE VITALE, author, Spiritual Marketing, The Power of Outrageous Marketing
“Changing the way the world has worked for 5,000 years sounds daunting, but Nonviolent Communication helps liberate us from ancient patterns of violence.”
—FRANCIS LEFKOWITZ, reporter, Body & Soul
“A revolutionary way of looking at language. If enough people actually make use of the material in Nonviolent Communication we may soon live in a more peaceful and compassionate world.”
—WES TAYLOR, Progressive Health
“The single toughest, most dangerous opponent I’d ever faced—the one that truly hurt me the most, causing me to spend 30 years of my life behind bars—was my own anger and fear. I write these words now, a gray-haired old man, hoping to God—before you suffer what I’ve suffered—that it will cause you to listen and learn Nonviolent Communication. It will teach you how to recognize anger before it becomes violence, and how to understand, deal with, and take control of the rage you may feel.”
—A prisoner writing to fellow inmates
“This is the most concise, most clearly written manual on interpersonal communication I’ve ever come across. I’ve been challenged by this book to be the change I want to see in my world.”
—An online reviewer
“Literally, anyone who speaks could benefit from reading this book! It helps us to realize not only the power of words, but how to choose our words better and ultimately enhance both communication and relationships! Highly recommended!”
—An online reviewer
“By taking a step back from daily frustrations, disappointments, and stressors, and re-examining the purpose of my own and others’ needs, this book has helped me listen more deeply, act more genuinely, and find acceptance in difficult situations. Well done!”
—An online reviewer
“I am one of those people who is highly critical of myself. This book is teaching me to love myself so I can truly care for others. It can pave the way for peace between people, different ethnic groups, countries, etc., and I believe our world really needs this.”
Parenting and Family Communication:
“With the growth in today’s dysfunctional families and the increase of violence in our schools, Nonviolent Communication is a godsend.”
—LINDA C. STOEHR, Los Colinas Business News
“This book is essential reading for anyone seeking to end the unfulfilling cycles of argument in their relationship, and for parents who wish to influence their children’s’ behavior by engendering compassion rather than simply achieving obedience.”
—An online reviewer
“In addition to saving our marriage, Nonviolent Communication is helping us repair our relationships with our grown children and to relate more deeply with our parents and siblings. If angels do manifest in physical form here on this earth, then Marshall Rosenberg must be one.”
—A reader in Arizona
“My relationship with my husband, which was good already, has become even better. I’ve taught NVC to many parents who have since gained a deeper understanding of their children, thus enhancing their relationship and decreasing tension and conflict.”
—A reader in Illinois
“Nonviolent Communication allowed me to overcome my toxic conditioning and find the loving parent and person that was locked inside. Dr. Rosenberg has created a way to transform the violence in the world.”
—A nurse in California
“Using Nonviolent Communication was vital to healing my relationship with my sister; and for me, it serves as a guide for applying Buddhist practice to communication.”
—JANE LAZAR, Zen Student in Residence / NVC Trainer
“What began as a search for a better discipline system for our six-year-old has turned out to be a philosophical approach and communication tool that is transforming how we relate to each other and ourselves.”
—An online reviewer
“Incredible book that has transformed my way of being and communicating. I have everyone in my family reading it now!”
—An online reviewer
“I spent 40 years of my life trying to receive empathy from my dad. After only reading half of this book, I was able to express myself in a way that he was able to finally hear me and give me what I needed. It was a gift beyond words.”
—An online reviewer
“In my estimation, Nonviolent Communication is as radical and change-making as the Eight-Fold Path. I predict that active use of NVC in our sanghas would significantly cut through frustrations and growing pains.”
—JOAN STARR WARD, member, Spirit Rock Center, California, and the Buddhist Peace Fellowship
“Buddhism and Nonviolent Communication are rooms in the same house. I strongly recommend NVC as a highly effective practice for developing clarity and genuine compassion.”
—LEWIS RHAMES, Vipassana Insight Meditation, Minimal Security Unit, Monroe Correctional Complex
“For convicts immersed in an environment which intensifies and reinforces conflict, discovering this step-by-step methodology advocating compassion through communication is enormously liberating.”
—DOW GORDON, Freedom Prison Project, Seattle, Washington
“NVC is the language of enlightenment. So simple yet so difficult. Using NVC can change your life, bring clarity to your thinking, and transform relationships.”
—An online reviewer
Education:
“Marshall’s strategies for active listening really work. I teach middle school, and it has worked both at work and with my family. A good step along the way to transformation.”
—An online reviewer
“Through compelling, real life examples, Rosenberg brings the NVC process to life. My college students, especially the older ones, share with me that reading this book has changed their life. Trying to practice the steps myself in daily interactions, at meetings, and in the classroom, has also had a powerful effect on me.”
—An online reviewer
“NVC has made a huge difference in my life with my children, relatives, teachers of schools, work, and the list goes on. When I discovered this book, I was really doubtful that anything could help me change the nature of my relationships with others and I am astonished at the depth and simplicity of Nonviolent Communication.”
—An online reviewer
Professional Therapy and Mediation:
“The quality of empathy I now am able to provide has enlivened my therapy practice. This book gives me hope that I can contribute to the well being of my clients, and also connect deeply with my friends and family. The step-by-step empathy skills in this book are learnable by anyone.”
—An online reviewer
“As a therapist, I have found this book to be helpful to clients with anger management difficulties, and problems with conflict in relationships because it promotes self-awareness and self-acceptance. NVC takes practice, but once you understand and internalize the general attitude promoted in this book, it sticks. And then it seeps into your life like a soothing balm.”
—An online reviewer
“I have never read a clearer, more straightforward, insightful book on communication. After studying and teaching assertiveness since the 70s, this book is a breath of fresh air. Rosenberg adds the brilliant insight into the linkage of feelings and needs and taking responsibility and creates a true tool.”
—An online reviewer
Business:
“The principles of Nonviolent Communication taught by Dr. Rosenberg are instrumental in creating an extraordinary and fulfilling quality of life. His compassionate and inspiring message cuts right to the heart of successful communication, his heartfelt message and genuine love for human kind is inspiring, and his strategies hold the power, not only change lives, but to transform your world.
“Dr. Rosenberg has brought the simplicity of successful communication into the foreground. No matter what issue you’re facing, his strategies for communicating with others will set you up to win every time.”
—TONY ROBBINS, author, Awaken the Giant Within and Unlimited Power
“I got to this book thanks to a recommendation by Satya Nadella (CEO of Microsoft). The book presents a simple technique and examples to empathize and connect with people’s feelings. Instead of judging people by the message, the book helps you understand the needs behind and what feelings and emotions are driving them. Highly recommended.”
—An online reviewer