I read this book for a discussion group at my local library. Given the current political climate and the state of race relations in the USA, I thought it might be helpful for me to join the discussion in order to better understand the root causes of my country's racial problems and why they are so persistent and pervasive. I really thought that race relations were improving in the USA, considering that our current president is black. I'm not so naive to think racial problems didn't exist, but I thought we were moving in the right direction. This past year has been a real eye-opener for me.
I've read the book, but haven't participated in the discussion group yet. Already I have a much better understanding of the subject and of myself. The book discusses why people react in negative ways toward people of another race and how people can modify their behavior so that they can interact with people of a different race in more positive ways. The scientific studies highlighted in the essays were interesting and in some cases surprising. The essays are easy to read and don't require a background in psychology to understand.