Mediating Dangerously: The Frontiers of Conflict Resolution

by Kenneth Cloke

Sometimes it's necessary to push beyond the usual limits of themediation process to achieve deeper and more lasting change.Mediating Dangerously shows how to reach beyond technical andtraditional intervention to the outer edges and dark places ofdispute resolution, where risk taking is essential and fundamentalchange is the desired result. It means opening wounds and lookingbeneath the surface, challenging comfortable assumptions, andexploring dangerous issues such as dishonesty, denial, apathy,domestic violence, grief, war, and slavery in order to reach adeeper level of transformational change.

Mediating Dangerously shows conflict resolution professionals howto advance beyond the traditional steps, procedures, and techniquesof mediation to unveil its invisible heart and soul and to revealthe subtle and sensitive engine that drives the process of personaland organizational transformation. This book is a major newcontribution to the literature of conflict resolution that willinspire and educate professionals in the field for years to come.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction

272 pages, Hardcover

First published March 6, 2001

Reviews

[Reflection · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mediating Dangerously makes me salivate with anticipation of just how exceptionally clever the ideas are for building peace at a substantial level.

If some mediators are content to provide a standard service to help clients to achieve solutions, this book shows a finesse that can reach to the heart of particularly challenging conflict scenarios and create something magical and sustainable. This is like a jazz impresario at his finest, whilst others hammer out notes this delves into the craft.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had been sitting on my night stand for probably 18 months. The second part of the book was not as helpful as the first and I just ended up skimming through it to the end. The first part was really good and I had started it before the author presented at the annual symposium in 2017. Such good information.

[Arief Wicaksono · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mediating Dangerously: The Frontiers of Conflict Resolution challenges conventional notions of mediation by arguing that meaningful conflict resolution requires courage, empathy, and a willingness to engage with deep emotional, social, and structural tensions. Kenneth Cloke presents mediation as a transformative process rather than a technical exercise, encouraging practitioners to embrace uncertainty and foster genuine dialogue. Rich with practical insights and philosophical reflection, the book is an essential read for mediators, negotiators, and peacebuilders seeking to address complex conflicts with creativity, integrity, and lasting impact.

[Aaron Leakey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahead of its time. Still just as relevent over 20 years later.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would have gotten a better rating, but he really lost me with the spirituality stuff. I don't agree with it at all and I feel it was too embedded into the rest of the material.

[Lisa Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on mediation.