Facing the Fracture: How to Navigate the Challenges of Living in a Divided Nation

by Tania Israel

Foster resilience in the face of political polarization

Unsettled by provocative news, clashing politicians, and social fragmentation, Americans struggle to navigate the challenges of living in a divided country. Facing the Fracture offers a path out of the distress and disempowerment plaguing everyday people. Grounded in psychological research, this book offers readers strategies to foster resilience in the face of political polarization.

In this valuable book, Israel moves beyond explaining the problem of polarization to demonstrate how individuals can cope with the political divide, which seems to widen with each passing day. Readers will find guidance to reduce toxic input from media, manage polarizing thoughts and feelings, and engage effectively with others. And they will learn that they have the power to improve their personal well-being, relationships, community, and country.

Genres: Self Help, Psychology, Politics, Nonfiction

Kindle Edition

Published August 13, 2024

About the author

Tania Israel is a Professor of Counseling Psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara and award-winning author of Beyond Your Bubble: How to Connect Across the Political Divide, Skills and Strategies for Conversations That Work (APA, 2020). She has shared her expertise with the TODAY show, the New York Times, the Washington Post, NPR, and dozens of other media outlets. Her strengths as a scholar and storyteller are evident in her TEDx talks: How to Win a Political Argument, What Halibut Fajitas Taught Me About Bridging the Political Divide, and Bisexuality and Beyond. Tania’s presentations on a wide range of topics have been received enthusiastically by campuses, conferences, corporations, elected officials, and faith communities. She has received honors from Congress, the California State Legislature, and the American Psychological Association. To learn more, visit https://taniaisrael.com/ or connect with her on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, or TIkTok (@drtaniaisrael).

Reviews

[Mary Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Facing the Fracture is a book that teaches a person to listen and understand others with differing views. The author does reveal her own bias', but is in no way persuasive for others to accept or decline her belief system. She offers ideas about how to accept that all have a point of view, that those views may be more middle of the road than our current news system leads us to believe. It gives ideas on how to hear others without conflict. She gives ideas such as asking someone how they came to a belief. It promotes conversation to help find common grounds between people of differing opinion. I found this book both interesting and informative. Regardless of a person's belief system, this book can help to bridge the divide.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to hear the author speak recently - her talk and book were powerful and illuminating. I wish everyone could read this during these turbulent times.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of useful strategies presented in a clear, easy-to-understand format. I've already implemented some in my own life and it's helping. We live in strange times.

[Lori Hodges · Rating 5 out of 5]

Facing the Fracture is a timely, educational, and well written book that offers insights into how each of us may learn to break down the barriers that exist between us. Division has reached an all-time high in the United States in recent years, and our consumption of information from the news and social media has only exacerbated the divide, leaving many of us exhausted and disheartened. I appreciated the authors ability to break down not only the reasons for the division, but also the ways in which each of us, individually, may be able to bridge the divide to find common ground.

[the.reading.snail · Rating 1 out of 5]

Interesting that this author based their brand and writes a book about bridging political divide and empathetic listening when they shut down conversations that make them uncomfortable about ongoing gen0cide.

[Cheryl Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peace of Mind!

As both a DEI professional and a fellow human being, I can confidently say that this book is the missing tool in my toolbox. While I usually prefer listening to audiobooks, there are rare occasions when a book resonates so deeply that I feel compelled to get the hard copy—and this is one of those books. It's the kind of book that will be filled with highlights and Post-it notes.

It has been a game changer in boosting my confidence to navigate conflicts and assist others in doing the same. Although setting boundaries can sometimes make our world feel smaller, this book offers strategies to expand that world and engage in conversations with people and ideas I previously hesitated to approach. It has also changed the way I view polarization and those with differing ideologies, improving my peace of mind.

We can’t solve a problem we can’t face. This book will not only enhance your professional and personal life, but it will also help you become a better human being! I loved it so much, that I will be leading a book club series for DEI advocates and professionals. So thrilled to hear there are so many committed to building bridges! Unity!