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65 pages 2 hours read

David Brooks

How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2023

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Key Figures

David Brooks

Born on August 11, 1961, in Toronto, Canada, David Brooks has worked in diverse fields including journalism, academia, and writing. Raised in New York City and Pennsylvania, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of Chicago in 1983. This academic foundation not only underpins his astute observations on societal shifts and human relationships but also reflects in the intellectual depth evident in his exploration of understanding others in the book; How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others and Being Deeply Seen.

Brooks’s editorial roles at the Washington Times and later The Wall Street Journal exposed him to a spectrum of geopolitical issues. As Op-ed Editor at The Wall Street Journal and in subsequent positions at The Weekly Standard, The Atlantic, and Newsweek, Brooks engaged with diverse topics and ideologies, showcasing a versatility in navigating intellectual currents. He also worked as a commentator on The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer (later called PBS NewsHour). Beyond news reporting and commentary, he contributed articles to publications like The Atlantic Monthly. These experiences contribute to his inclusive approach in the book, where he emphasizes the significance of seeing others in their entirety, beyond superficial judgments. Moreover, Brooks taught at Yale University and is a member of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences. This academic experience is evident in his writing, as he efficiently integrates insights from sociology and psychology into his exploration of human connection.

The thematic core of How to Know a Person aligns with Brooks’s overarching body of work. His earlier books, The Social Animal: The Hidden Sources of Love, Character, and Achievement and The Road to Character, set the stage for his exploration of attention and the significant impact of empathy on personal and societal well-being. This emphasis on character development and moral values resonates in How to Know a Person, where Brooks posits that genuine attention to others is a moral act.

In How to Know a Person, Brooks delves into the essence of his convictions, contending that our ability to relate to one another is at the core of societal challenges. Drawing on his own transformation, Brooks asserts that true joy arises from full and meaningful relationships and that the deepest sorrows stem from broken connections. Brooks challenges readers to see beyond cultural identity narratives and recognizes the importance of shared struggles in overcoming fear and truly knowing one another. The book underscores that character formation is a communal effort, emphasizing warm mutuality over solitary endeavors.

Brooks synthesizes a lifetime of experiences, education, and journalistic endeavors to emphasize on the art of understanding others and developing meaningful and deep connections, as presented in this book. His personal and professional journey shapes the lens through which he advocates for the transformative power of deep connection. From his early days as a police reporter to his role as a renowned columnist and commentator, Brooks presents a narrative that urges readers to see and be seen, as he advocates for a more empathetic and interconnected world.

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