Book #2 High Conflict: Why we get trapped and how we get out (2021) by Amanda Ripley 

(Versions of most of these questions and many others can be found in the guide provided by the author):  

• High Conflict tells the story of half a dozen different people and communities who were trapped in dysfunctional conflict—and got out. Of all the characters in this book, which story resonated the most with you?

• Pick a passage or quote that you want to share.

• What are some of the differences between the good conflict you’ve experienced and the destructive conflict?

• Who do you most wish would read this book?

• If you woke up tomorrow in a town (or church or school or workplace or family) that had mastered good conflict, what would it look like? How would you know? Describe a day in the life in such a place.

Fun facts about the author and related readings: 

• Amanda Ripley is a seasoned journalist who became a trained conflict mediator in the course of writing this book. She says that she “has spent her career trying to make sense of complicated human mysteries by following survivors of all kinds.” You can find out more about her on her website at https://amandaripley.com 

• Ripley has also written about the U.S. school system in contrast to others. If you’re interested in education, you can find out about battle-scarred reformers, sleep-deprived zombie students, and a teacher who earns $4 million a year in “The Smartest Kids in the World, and how they got that way.”  (Washington Post review)