Title: Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone
Author: Brené Brown
First published September 12, 2017
197 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780812995848 (ISBN10: 0812995848)
Rating: 4.14
Overview
Brené Brown’s book, Braving the Wilderness, is a #1 New York Times bestseller and a Reese’s Book Club pick that challenges our understanding of true belonging. Brown argues that we are facing a spiritual crisis of disconnection, and introduces four practices of true belonging that challenge everything we believe about ourselves and each other.
She emphasizes that true belonging doesn’t require us to change who we are, but to fully believe in and belong to ourselves. In this book, Brown blends research, storytelling, and honesty to redefine what it means to truly belong in a world of increased polarization.
Braving the Wilderness is a personal commitment to daily practice that requires integrity and authenticity. Brown offers the clarity and courage we need to find our way back to ourselves and to each other through the untamed and unpredictable place of solitude and searching – the wilderness.
This book is a brave and sacred journey that will change the cultural conversation and inspire readers to stand alone when necessary and find true belonging.
About the Author
Meet Dr. Brené Brown, a research professor at the University of Houston. She holds the Huffington Foundation – Brené Brown Endowed Chair at The Graduate College of Social Work and is also a visiting professor in management at The University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business.
For the past twenty years, Brené has dedicated her research to studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. She is the author of five #1 New York Times bestsellers, including The Gifts of Imperfection, Daring Greatly, Rising Strong, Braving the Wilderness, and her latest book, Dare to Lead.
In addition to her successful career as an author, Brené is also the host of two popular podcasts, Unlocking Us and Dare to Lead. Her TED talk, The Power of Vulnerability, has been viewed over 50 million times, making it one of the top five most watched TED talks in the world.
Brené is also the first researcher to have a filmed lecture on Netflix. Her special, The Call to Courage, premiered on the streaming service in April 2019.
Outside of her professional life, Brené resides in Houston, Texas, with her husband, Steve, and their two children, Ellen and Charlie.
Editoral Review
Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone by Brené Brown is a thought-provoking and insightful book that tackles issues of belonging and isolation in modern society. Brown is a well-known researcher and author who has spent many years studying topics such as vulnerability, shame, and resilience.
With Braving the Wilderness, she dives into the concept of true belonging and how it can be achieved in a world where we increasingly feel disconnected. The book is written in Brown’s trademark conversational style, which makes it accessible and easy to digest.
She begins by framing the problem of disconnection and isolation that plagues so many people today. She then outlines four practices that can help lead us to true belonging: people are hard to hate close up, move in; speak truth to bullshit; be civil; hold hands with strangers.
Throughout the book, Brown uses personal anecdotes, research findings, and thought-provoking questions to encourage readers to reflect on their own lives and relationships. She also discusses the importance of having the courage to stand alone and be true to oneself, even if it means going against the norms of society.
One of the strengths of Braving the Wilderness is its relevance to current events and social issues. Brown addresses topics such as political divisiveness, racism, and inequality and discusses how they relate to belonging and disconnection.
She also draws on historical and cultural references to provide context for her arguments. Another strength is Brown’s ability to inspire hope and positivity in readers.
She acknowledges that achieving true belonging is a difficult and ongoing process but stresses that it is possible. She provides concrete examples of people and communities who have found belonging despite facing challenges.
One potential weakness of the book is that some readers may find the advice and practices overly simplistic or idealistic. Some of the anecdotes and examples may not resonate with everyone, and some readers may feel that Brown’s solutions do not address their specific issues.
Overall, Braving the Wilderness is a valuable and inspiring book that offers important insights into the nature of belonging and isolation. Brown’s engaging and approachable writing style makes it an enjoyable read, and her personal anecdotes and research findings lend credibility to her arguments.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is struggling with feelings of disconnection or who wants to deepen their relationships with others. I give it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
