Civil Unity: The Radical Path to Transform Our Discourse, Our Lives, and Our World

by Shola Richards

In order to transform our world, we must unite behind a new kind of civility.

In a world that is more divided than ever, it will take a radical act to transform our discourse, our lives, and our world. International civility consultant and keynote speaker Shola Richards believes that unifying our world around the power of civility is that radical act, and it’s not for the faint of heart.

Do we want a safer world to live in? Do we want less toxicity in our politics? Do we want a world free of hate and discrimination? Do we want to work in organizations that allow us to do our best work? Do we want our children to learn in schools that are kind and supportive? Do we want to live in a world that prioritizes our mental health and overall wellness? If your answers are “yes,” then we must steel ourselves for the reality that uniting around civility is the only path that will get us there.

This deeply personal—and deeply practical—book will not shy away from addressing the challenging questions, such How can civil discourse be maintained during disagreements about topics that are profoundly polarizing, like abortion, gun control, or politics?

How can I be expected to be civil toward someone who has deeply wounded me—the drunk driver who killed my child, the relative who sexually assaulted me, the spouse who left me for my best friend, or the narcissistic parent who abused me?

How can I be civil when confronted with the hatefulness of intolerances such as racism, misogyny, antisemitism, homophobia, or Islamophobia?

How can I have a civil conversation with someone who isn’t tethered to reality and believes in baseless dark web conspiracy theories? It sounds like civility means that we just need to be agreeable, not rock the boat, avoid having opinions or keeping them to ourselves, and refuse to take a firm stand against the policies and people who are trying to harm me and my loved ones. What in the world is positive about any of that foolishness?

These questions—and more—deserve to be answered. To be clear, Civil Unity is not another book about turning the other cheek when faced with harmful or hateful behavior. This book is about providing the practical tactics to disagree more effectively, bridge ideological divisions, actively prioritize our mental health, and fiercely create a more civil world that will sustain over time.

If you are ready to transform our discourse, our lives, and our world, let’s get to work.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, How To, Politics

253 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 24, 2024

About the author

Shola Richards is the CEO and Founder of Go Together Global®, the author of three books, and he is leading the movement to remind the world that we are defined by how we treat each other. Shola’s work has been featured on the Today Show, Forbes, Black Enterprise, Complete Wellbeing India, Business Insider Australia, and his tireless efforts to make the world a kinder place have earned him the well-deserved nickname, “Brother Teresa”.

As a speaker, Shola has shared his transformative message with Fortune 500 companies, top universities, leading healthcare organizations, the motion picture industry, on the TEDx stage, and in his greatest honor to date, in September 2021, he was invited to testify in front of the House of Representatives on Capitol Hill to share his expert recommendations on how to bring more civility to Congress. He’ll be the first to tell you that they could use a refresher course 😁.

Last, but certainly not least, Shola is a father, husband, identical twin, and a self-professed “kindness extremist” who will not rest until bullying and incivility is extinct from the American workplace.

Reviews

[Dona's Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read. I'm going to buy a copy. Self help meets social justice!

Full Review:

There is no need to be anyone's savior. p142

This is probably the best book I've ever read in the areas of both social justice and self-help. Shola Richards offers in this book no less than a workable solution to overt discrimination. He offers methods readers can use to achieve his lofty goal of being civil to even people who are very different from ourselves, ideologically.

This is an important work, and I implore anyone who reads this review to at least access a sample and see if it appeals. I recommend this for readers of social justice and self help, and those who like CBT techniques, mindfulness, philosophy, and critical thinking.

That’s why the human experience is so complicated. We can logically and rationally understand that civility is a sound strategy, but when strong emotions are introduced into the mix, all of our best laid plans turn into vapor. p150

Three (or more) things I loved:

1. This book is subversive, smart, and powerful: "The most important decision we make is whether we believe we live in a friendly or hostile universe." —ALBERT EINSTEIN ...Einstein was wrong. ...Once we make the decision that Einstein mentioned, then what? ...The real decision is if we will actively create a universe that is friendly or hostile.

2. I like when authors understand that their position is a hard sell. Their arguments tend to be more rigorous. It sounds like civility means that we just need to be agreeable, not rock the boat, avoid having opinions or keeping them to ourselves, and not taking a firm stand against the policies and people who are trying to harm me and my loved ones. What in the world is positive about any of that foolishness? ...Tough questions, right?

3. Some of this data is eye-opening. Look how stressed out we are! [Many] people are not very skilled at managing their stress well: • Sixty-two percent of adults said they don’t talk about their stress overall because they don’t want to burden others. • Sixty-one percent said people around them just expect them to get over their stress. • Thirty-six percent said they don’t know where to start when it comes to managing their stress. • Thirty-three percent said they feel completely stressed out no matter what they do to manage their stress. • Forty-four percent said they don’t feel anyone understands what they are going through. • Fifty-two percent wish they had someone to turn to for advice and/ or support. p33

4. I love the discussion about entropy, trending towards disorder, and civility (p47).

5. I like that this book delves into the how-to of civility, something that other books I've read on the topic lack: Arguably, critical thinking and intellectual humility are the two most important ICIs to slow the entropy of incivility. Both ensure that we will become better equipped to thoughtfully examine information, less willing to be driven by our ego-based urges to be right, and most of all, that we are less susceptible to manipulation, all of which will be needed when engaging with the fraternal twins of deception: misinformation and disinformation. p88 (ICI stands for intentional consistent interventions, or small acts of intentional energy toward the things that matter to us in life.) Techniques include CBT emotional management skills, close-reading and fact-checking news stories, and so many more. But importantly, each technique is accessible, inclusive, and *possible*.

6. I'm going to buy a copy of this so I can work the prompts.

Three (or less) things I didn't love:

This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.

1. Richards is assertive as hell on this topic, but I like it and I think it's necessary.

2. Beneath the surface, we all hold some form of bias around the following characteristics: • Age • Ethnicity • Gender identity • Physical ability • Physical appearance (height, weight, or attractiveness) • Political affiliation • Race • Religion • Sexual orientation • Socioeconomic status p108 He left out mental ability and mental health. Mental and psychiatric disabilities never make the cut, even though they are terribly stigmatized, and that stigma makes the lives of these individuals unnecessarily difficult and painful.

Rating: 💞💞💞💞💞 kind hearts
Recommend? Yes! Please read this!
Finished: Oct 2 '24
Format: Digital arc, NetGalley
Read this book if you like:
🤝 civility as a social movement
🫂 radical kindness
👩🏾‍🏫 how-tos on social justice
💞 radical self-love

Thank you to the author Shola Richards, publishers Forbes Press, and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of CIVIL UNITY. All views are mine.

[Nora · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you netgalley i loved this arc so many ideas to be a better person within the pages of this book
unfortunately america is not going to even try and that’s ok (not) because i’m not american i am from the countries america will try to bomb probably soon
so yea americans if you read this i need you to take it to heart and try to be fucking better because i do not want to die please <3

[KJ Grow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should be required reading for Americans in 2024.

[Kristi Franklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received my copy of Civil Unity directly from the author. He writes with honesty and vulnerability, and like his book, he displays genuine kindness. I am so thankful to have met him and read his words. I believe that people like him can make a difference in this often hostile world. It only takes a few to change things. If you are looking for a book of hope and guidance, this is the one. Thank you Shola for loving people enough to write your beautiful book.

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a goodreads drawing.

A book about how to make a return to civility. The author never even considers legalizing duelling! (jk)

Anyway, most of this stuff is common sense. Still, it's useful to recharge the batteries.

The author actually shoots himself in the foot, as he's trying to write about unity, but his own bias gets in his way, and I'm not sure he even realizes it. It's too bad, really, as many people would like to see some civility.

[Richard Derus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Real Rating: 4.5* of five

The Publisher Says: In order to transform our world, we must unite behind a new kind of civility.

In a world that is more divided than ever, it will take a radical act to transform our discourse, our lives, and our world. International civility consultant and keynote speaker Shola Richards believes that unifying our world around the power of civility is that radical act, and it’s not for the faint of heart.

Do we want a safer world to live in? Do we want less toxicity in our politics? Do we want a world free of hate and discrimination? Do we want to work in organizations that allow us to do our best work? Do we want our children to learn in schools that are kind and supportive? Do we want to live in a world that prioritizes our mental health and overall wellness? If your answers are “yes,” then we must steel ourselves for the reality that uniting around civility is the only path that will get us there.

This deeply personal—and deeply practical—book will not shy away from addressing the challenging questions, such as:
How can civil discourse be maintained during disagreements about topics that are profoundly polarizing, like abortion, gun control, or politics?
How can I be expected to be civil toward someone who has deeply wounded me—the drunk driver who killed my child, the relative who sexually assaulted me, the spouse who left me for my best friend, or the narcissistic parent who abused me?
How can I be civil when confronted with the hatefulness of intolerances such as racism, misogyny, antisemitism, homophobia, or Islamophobia?
How can I have a civil conversation with someone who isn’t tethered to reality and believes in baseless dark web conspiracy theories?
It sounds like civility means that we just need to be agreeable, not rock the boat, avoid having opinions or keeping them to ourselves, and refuse to take a firm stand against the policies and people who are trying to harm me and my loved ones. What in the world is positive about any of that foolishness?

These questions—and more—deserve to be answered. To be clear, Civil Unity is not another book about turning the other cheek when faced with harmful or hateful behavior. This book is about providing the practical tactics to disagree more effectively, bridge ideological divisions, actively prioritize our mental health, and fiercely create a more civil world that will sustain over time.

If you are ready to transform our discourse, our lives, and our world, let’s get to work.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.

My Review: A book that approaches the central problem of relatively anonymous online discourse: disinhibition from conversational norms of civility, as an opportunity to offer the healing balm of being heard to self and others.

His measured storytelling tones combine with well-chosen illuminating anecdotes of succesful de-escalations. It is by this surprisingly simple shift in tone, complete with some stock phrases to use as the practice becomes habit, that Author Shola gives his evidence for both the need for and the efficacy of active application of civility in all our interactions.

The upcoming elections and the past decade of increasingly strident public, and private, disagreement, has pointed up the need for us all to take stock of our roles in perpetuating this noisy, angry buzz. An expert's view of what works is the gift this book brings. The author's Amazon bio offers a condensed version of his acquisition of expertise:

Shola Richards is an international keynote speaker, author, and suicide survivor, who has deep expertise about—and firsthand experience with—the dangers of toxic incivility.

Lovingly nicknamed, “Brother Teresa”, Shola has shared his transformative message of civility on three different continents, on major media platforms such as CBS This Morning, with top organizations (such Microsoft, Google, and WebMD), on the TEDx stage, and even on Capitol Hill where he was invited to testify in front of the House of Representatives for two hours about how to bring more civility to Congress (clearly, they need a refresher course).

Shola’s ideas are known to be extremely practical, deeply researched, highly inspirational, and readily applicable to people from all walks of life.
So in this book, like his previous book Go Together: How the Concept of Ubuntu Will Change How You Live, Work and Lead, he offers a clear vision for how the effort of communicating civilly and respectfully around our inevitable disagreements, will assist in resolving them.

As one would expect from someone whose CV includes being a suicide survivor, Author Shola does not stint on the positive reinforcement. Being that deep into the darkest places brings a need to stress the light in one's communication with great regularity.

None of this is in any way to suggest that "both sides"ism or tolerance for, even acceptance of toxic intolerant bullying is required to "keep the peace." That isn't peace, it's capitulation, and it's what fans the flames that a different and civil approach to disagreeing with those who spread the ills we're suffering under can offer. Angry confrontation changes nothing, but since when is it your job to change the way others think? Accepting that you can and should have clear boundaries that require those you disagree with to remain civil, while remaining civil yourself, changes the world too.

A very well-presented book with some useful and immediately deployable ideas. My idea of a terrific way to spend money for anyone in a situation where conflicts are, or are becoming, personally troubling. Reading and applying Author Shola's lessons bid fair to change your quotidian world.

[Margaux · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I'd like to extend an enormous thanks to the author, Shola Richards, the publisher, Forbes Books, and Goodreads for the opportunity to read this book, Civil Unity, as I was lucky to win it in a giveaway. This book focuses on learning how to come together with others who may have differing beliefs and views in order to have a productive conversation without it turning into a screaming match. Instead of just walking away or blocking people who may have beliefs that are harmful or hateful, it's important (if you have the mental bandwith to do so) to push up against those beliefs - but in a way that is going to be positive instead of creating further division.

It can be so hard to talk to people who are so deeply wrapped up in conspiracy and misinformation, but this book provides some tips and solutions. This is going to be very helpful for me in the future and I look forward to suggesting this book to others. It's really important, as Richards discusses, to not try to balance between political sides, but to try to strive for the truth and form our views around that. This book doesn't have all the answers, but it certainly has some places to start working on yourself and becoming more kind and supportive of people who have fallen into difficult times. There is discussion about divisive topics that will help you better formulate your points and facilitate calmer conversations. I'd definitely recommend to anyone who is politically minded and interested in radically changing the world we live in. If we want a better world, we can't wait for others to be ready to change with us.

[Don Boswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Shola Richards’ new book, Civil Unity, I believe the key to success is for each of us to acknowledge and correct our own weaknesses on passionate issues and everyday biased discourse. I find myself too easily ascribing negative labels to people themselves instead of the policies they support, especially when they do the same to me.

Richards carefully constructs a progressive process of Intentional Consistent Interventions to guide us in recognizing and avoiding negative and divisive confrontations and suggests strategies toward encouraging and engaging in positive constructive civil conversations.

Using carefully researched social science and clearly written examples, often from his personal experience, Richards provides the reader with best responses to the many obstacles and pitfalls in changing our discussions of hot topics from today’s heated, even hateful, shouting into respectful civil discourse.

It will take coming to terms with where each of us are and using the understanding and process so carefully developed in Civil Unity to change ourselves and then have the courage to refuse to tolerate incivility in our sphere of influence. It will not be easy, but civility is so needed especially at this time in our nation and the world. We must not fail in this movement.

Shola Richards new book is the best I’ve read on civility and respect in today’s coarse discourse! Get it, read it, live it! Together, we can change our world one person at a time beginning with ourselves!

[Karen Tatum · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you haven't met Shola Richards yet, your life is about to change. In his latest book, Civil Unity, this gentle, wise, hopeful soul drops some hard truths and issues some weighty challenges, all wrapped in kindness and compassion, It is easy to become overwhelmed, angry, or even numb to the divisiveness in our country and our world, especially in today's politically-charged climate, but in his incredibly timely third book, Richards provides a roadmap for each of us to help restore civility in our world, one interaction at a time. Civil Unity is a compelling mixture of storytelling, research and brutally honest personal experience. Richards challenges us to look inward before venturing out on our civility mission, which he details with step-by-step guidance, simple strategies and thoughtful phrases you can immediately put into practice. He offers practical advice on when to step up and when to step away and reminds us to treat ourselves with the same patience and kindness we offer to others. While he invites each of us to join him on this path, he acknowledges everyone's journey will not look the same. Civil Unity is a much-needed dose of hope and positivity--a gift you can give yourself and share with others.

[Sopherocious · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book empowering, informative, and inspiring. It was enlightening to hear Shola speak from his own experiences and offer insights in looking into what is civil unity. How can we listen to others that may have a different way of looking at things? He gave a unique way of providing different perspectives and how we can lean in instead of using a defensive approach or strategy especially when we hold onto our own opinions tightly. It can be easy to argue, get frustrated, and irritated with different viewpoints. However, there is a point where we need to listen more and try to see where others coming from. However, he does make it known that it’s still very important to hold to what is true to you and if there is an injustice, then speak out and use your voice. It is also important to speak up and not be passive. There is so much division in our country now. This book sheds more light on looking at how civil unity could look like. It explores a new way to look at how we can connect with others even if we disagree. We can do so from a civil place. We can stay open, respectful, curious, communicate, and learn from one another. I highly recommend this book. This book gives me hope and inspiration.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to thank Goodreads and Shola Richards for the complimentary ebook Civil Unity for an honest review.

I am going to be honest, this book was written for me. The current social and political environment has been very triggering. I find myself getting aggressive when it comes to certain issues and really unwilling to listen to what other people have say. Initially, when I started reading this book, I thought it was about being silent and complicit, but that is not the message at all. This is not a book that you can just read through and be done with. Richard includes several exercises and assignments for the reader to complete. They really do help. I'm going to go through this book again and work on these exercises and see if I can actually have a respectful and less aggressive conversation with people. This seems to be a more plausible way to get people to actually listen and perhaps, might get them to see things from a different perspective. While I don't think most people will change their minds, I might reach a few, and they might be able to reach others in their group. So this isn't a book about being silent and complicit. It's about being mindful, respectful, and providing facts to others that they can actually look up and perhaps plant a seed for change.

I have never heard of Shola Richards before, which is amazing since he has done so much. I have put his other books on my to read list. I'm looking forward to my next conversation with someone with differing views. Living in Georgia, I'm sure that conversation will occur sooner rather than later. Thank you Richards for providing me with the tools to hopefully put a positive spin on my beliefs and perhaps education others. If not, perhaps I can understand why some people hold the views they do on certain topics. I'll practice on a few of my friends first.

This is a great book and I recommend it especially if you have family and friends you're getting close to shutting out. This might save your relationships. However, you must do the work.

[Maps R · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my personal growth journey, I decided to go deeper and learn more about civility, specifically how I could improve my actions and communication. Richards' profile caught my attention; as a well-recognized civility consultant, I wanted to learn from him and appreciate the value of his work. It’s fascinating how our discourse can change perspectives if we communicate in the right way. As he notes, we are constantly exposed to sensitive topics, and some of us prefer to avoid them.

When reading this book, I discovered that avoidance is not the solution; we can actually address these topics openly, and the key to building a better society lies in rethinking and communicating with others. What I appreciate most is how, page after page, he expands on the possibilities of using our voice, allowing ourselves to be active participants in the world. We can express our opinions without ending in a conflict. I wasn’t expecting him to discuss the benefits of civility for our mental health, but after trying some of his tips, I agree. When we speak up and share our thoughts in a polite and constructive way, we grow, we open our minds and no longer limit ourselves.

[Píaras Cíonnaoíth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Practical Guide to Civility in Turbulent Times...

Shola Richards' "Civil Unity: The Radical Path to Transform Our Discourse, Our Lives, and Our World" is a pertinent and insightful analysis of civility in an increasingly polarized society. Richards articulates a persuasive case for the transformative potential of civil conversation, leveraging his expertise as an international civility consultant.

The practical approach to addressing complex societal issues is the book's greatest asset. Richards is unafraid to confront challenging problems, such as the preservation of civility in the presence of profound ideological divisions or personal trauma. His strategies for "strategic disagreement" and emphasis on self-care and critical thinking provide readers with tangible tools for navigating difficult conversations. Although some may perceive the concept of universal civility as idealistic, Richards' well-researched and inspirational approach offers a refreshing perspective on how individuals can contribute to positive societal change through everyday interactions. Well worth the read. Highly recommended.

[David M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shola Richard's vulnerability in sharing his personal experiences along with his insightful roadmap/steps to help to improve this sometimes very cruel world; helped me tremendously, just as his first two books (Making Work Work and Go Together) did! I am more optimistic for humanity, and I will do my best to spread love, kindness, compassion and empathy to my family, friends and teams as well as anyone and everyone I meet! I hope after reading it, you will as well. If everyone reads this book, it should be required reading for all adults on the planet (no joke), I think humans could live side by side with SuperIntelligence AI; and if not, machines could possibly win or the zero- sum gain will continue exponentially (fewer and fewer winners and more and more losers) at the cost of our humanity/communities. PLEASE ORDER AND READ THIS BOOK AND PLEASE RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW IMMEDIATELY! We need to reduce fear and create more hope!

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having Civil Conversation is Vital

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
This is a great resource for engaging in civil conversations. Why would you want to engage in civil conversation? Because we live in a crowded world and we must interact with others. And getting in a barista fight every time you order a customized coffee drink is just not productive. Or healthy. And there is a whole lot of unhealthy interaction going on in the world today

This book has tips and exercises to help me stay kind and courteous while defending my choices. It has tips for interacting with people who have been radicalized. And it provides a plan for interventions on behalf of others.

It is not a club. It is not a book on how to be right. It has no catchy insults to put others in their place. It is a valuable tool for moving through a fractured world without causing more harm. I will keep this book handy. The book I didn’t know I needed.

[AMR CAMI · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book!

Flawless, educational, profound, insightful, well developed and more are the many words that I would use to describe this book. The author did a wonderful job when writing this deep exploration about what really means to achieve social unity, and the reason why it is very essential for the health and functioning of democracy. I really love that the author went very deep talking about topics such as the importance of fostering cohesion and harmony with societies that are usually fragmented by political, social, or cultural reasons.

One of the main things that really made this book stand out from others was the way in which the author explained and compared past and present to create a compelling case for why civil unity is achievable and essential.
Overall, this book is a must read for anyone interested in understanding the foundations of a united civil society and for those seeking to contribute positively to their society.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first NetGalley book! I don’t think it’s coming out until September… but it’s a pretty good look at trying to do your part to help with civil discourse. How we treat each other on the micro- and macro-level.

One of the features of this book I liked as the author’s insistence that improving our civil discourse didn’t involve equating “both sides” as being equally valid, or requiring accepting bad faith or intolerant beliefs charitably. He discusses the difference between “nice” (not wanting to rock the boat, not wanting to offend) with “kind” (which often entails tough love of telling people about themselves when they’re doing wrong). Sometimes these kinds of books can conveniently ignore how opinions center on dehumanizing others or endangering our civic culture, and the author does a good job of avoiding that mistake.

[Julia M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Civil Unity takes on challenging topic that is incredibly timely and important. I can't say that it was always easy to read... Richards shares with a rare authenticity and openness that is deeply personal. It drew me into the text with a sense of empathy, questioning, and reflection, which could feel heavy at times. He surrounds his experiences and insights with well-researched frameworks that made concepts easy to recall. Finally, he provides practical tools and activities that readers can apply in their daily lives to enhance kindness -- both toward self and others. The insights and the hands-on exercises provided in this book left me feeling empowered in ways that have been missing in my life for quite some time. I highly recommend picking up this book not just for the read, but for the active engagement as well.

[Steven Finkelstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

It often seems as though the world is becoming more divisive. Politics, religion, and other topics continue to divide us. Rather than listening to each other, we all keep trying to shout louder instead. There is no civility in discourse, and conflict is everywhere.

This author has some novel solutions that he proposes in this book. He is an expert in finding common ground, and he believes that is still possible if we only learn how to communicate better with each other. It won’t be easy, though. It’s going to require a mammoth amount of effort and a genuine desire to bridge the ideological divides that threaten to tear our beloved Earth apart. Believing that unity is still possible might be the most difficult act of which we are capable, but we owe it to ourselves as members of the same species to try. This book can be the blueprint that shows us the way.

[Rodrigo J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will we be able to?

This very difficult and therefore very complex subject that the author Shola Richards raises in his book Civil Unity, related not only to face the differences but what is even more complex, to be able to overcome them to be able to transform our world. As the author says, it is something that seems to me quite complicated and very complex to achieve, especially in a world as polarized as today's. I believe that reading this book should be a must for everyone and I also believe that reading this book should be mandatory for everyone, to achieve, as the author says, a more civilized way of being. This is surely something that we should all try from our homes, to learn to be more tolerant with our fellow men and, in my opinion, there is a factor that has a great impact on the achievement of this goal: envy.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "Civil Unity: The Radical Path to Transform Our Discourse, Our Lives, and Our World" by Shola Richards, I encountered a powerful call to action in a world that I find increasingly divided, and it finally got me thinking about the great polarization that exists in the world, and in my country specifically. I found Richards' approach to be far from superficial, and he addresses difficult questions about how to maintain civil discourse in polarizing situations. One of the important things about the book is that it provides us with tactics to manage disagreements constructively. In fact, this made me reflect on the importance of creating a space where debate can be held without falling into hatred. I definitely recommend this book.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Change begins with us; many times, we complain about the injustices of life, or what bothers us, but we do not do our part to make those things change. This compelling book is written by author Richards and is intended to make us think and meditate about our actions and how we act in the world. Each chapter is inspiring and captivates the reader in an unparalleled way.
The change proposed in this reading is not simple at all. It's much easier to complain about everything that doesn't work well out there than to be the driving force for change. Both on a personal and professional level, I have seen that everyone wants change, but few people are willing to change. That is why I recommend this reading, to promote that change that so many of us hope for.

[Chico's Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the elections coming soon, political issues fill the air, and being able to talk calmly about politics is the goal. This book aims to promote civility in discourse and to help people learn from one another instead of figuring out who has better knowledge about things, especially politics. Politicians should read this book before going into a debate to see the benefits of those different from their views and show a positive side of politics. People in discussions should remember that there is a respectful way of disagreeing with your opponent, and this book talks about that, too. The ability to disagree without disrespecting your opponent is one thing we should all learn, not only about political issues but also everyday conversation.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This read is one of those that really pushes the reader to rethink how to engage with others' works, especially when having difficult conversations. I think what stood out in this book and that I really connected with was the style of the narration, which felt really personal like when a friend is chatting about something. I connected in that sense and the personal stories really helped for that relatableness.
The advice is really practical. It is not just avoiding conflict, but having a more proactive action to that, to face disagreements with empathy and respect.
Some parts feel a bit utopic in this world, but it’s definitely a thought provoking read for anyone hoping to make meaningful changes in the way they communicate.

[CarlitasFox · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read
In order to change the course of some injustices, it’s always better to start by doing it yourself, in your circle. Change implies commitment and willingness. After reading “Civil Unity”, other ideas about unity came to my mind. In this book, Shola Richards invites people to make a unity from the heart and faith to transform the world. It seems to be utopian but with the ideas that she shares everyone can pick one of them and work on it.
I found it inspirational but at the same time down to earth since it delves with current and rather delicate topics. Everything is well-explained since Shola writes in a neat way to allow readers to understand the nitty-gritty of the whole book. I definitely recommend it.

[Christine Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read at a perfect time! Shola Richards is an inspiring individual who has dedicated his life to promoting civility and kindness in the world. Through powerful storytelling and personal experiences, he skillfully integrates his journey into actionable strategies for cultivating civility in both personal and professional settings. This book is not only engaging but also a valuable resource for anyone seeking growth and positive change. I'm deeply appreciative of Shola for sharing his profound insights with us. It's a must-read for anyone committed to creating a more respectful and connected world.

[Margarita Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book!

Some are addressing the challenging questions about the society that we are living in that are difficult to address or answer. Still, this book gives us light on how to respond and the changes or actions that we need to make as individuals or in the community. ''Civil Unity'' is an inspiring book that everyone should read, with a good explanation of what civility is, the author explains how we can respectfully fight for our beliefs. This is a book to reflect on, to make changes in our lives, and to learn how to live in the community. There are so many lessons that will help you to change your life. I am sure you will enjoy this book.

[Sami · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. I think of myself as empathetic, but reading from Shola’s POV on different issues made me want to be a more civil person than I already like to think of myself. There are perspectives from multiple possible views. If you have ever felt bad about yourself because you think you may have taken away goodness from someone’s day, this book is for you. My favorite quote from the book that Shola wrote is, “In every encounter, we either give life or we drain it. There is no neutral exchange.”—Brennan Manning. I really hope that I can give as much life to everyone I come into contact with from this point on. I never want to drain anyone in an already tough world.

[Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shola Richards’ Civil Unity is the perfect read for these polarized times. His approach to respectful conversations is a great start to reconnecting peacefully with those who disagree with us. Shola brilliantly emphasizes that we have more in common than things that divide us and gives tangible – and achievable – methods for bridging gaps between each other. His transparency and humanness help make the book readable and thought-provoking. This is a great book to read before holiday gatherings to help make conversations less stressful and more harmonious.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Civil Unity reaffirms that we, as individuals and collectively, have the power to bring kindness, respect and civility to the world. While not a "how to" book, it uses concrete examples to explore various scenarios that are, sadly, all too familiar and provides ways to learn how to handle difficult conversations, situations and events more effectively and with respect. We can overcome indifference, fear and biases and restore civility to our interactions, one at a time. Civil Unity should be required reading for everyone!