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Book Review - Emotional Intelligence
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Book Details Title: Emotional Intelligence Author: Daniel Goleman Publisher: Bantam Books Year of Publication: 1995 Number of pages: 413 SYNOPSIS Emotional Intelligence is a path finding book about the emotional aspect being human. The author is Daniel Goleman, a journalist with The New York times and covering behavioral and brain sciences. He is also a psychologist. Daniel Goleman, in his book draws on the latest research in psychology and neuroscience to show how the rational and the emotional faculties of the mind work together to shape the fate of each individual. The book is divided into five parts. Part one-The emotional brain describes the latest discoveries in the anatomy and emotional constitution of the brain. An understanding of the emotional architecture, opens up windows into the understanding of our simplest impulses to our most complex thought processes. Part two-The nature of emotional intelligence discusses how these basic neurological givens control our emotional intelligence, revealing therefore, how emotions are the center of our attitudes and aptitudes for living. Listing out various emotional attributes, Goleman dissects and studies them in this part of the book. In the third part of the book-Emotional intelligence applied, Goleman writes about how we can tame our impulses and rule over our moments fear and rage. The author also explains here, how a sound emotional health is equally important as a great body or a healthy mind. Part four-Windows of opportunity explains how childhood lays the foundation of our emotional circuitry. But, Goleman continues, "temperament is not destiny". Paying attention to the formative emotional habits during childhood and adolescence can ensure a healthy emotional balance. The final part five-Emotional literacy discusses how adults that fail to mature emotionally, face heightened risks of problems related to depression or violence or even suicidal tendencies and drug abuse. Goleman, lists out various pioneering schools that focus on the varied kinds of intelligence in children. These schools inculcate healthy emotional habits in children that are essential for life. BOOK REVIEW Daniel Goleman's book, Emotional Intelligence is a revelation that clearly puts across the fact that existing parameters of judging intelligence and abilities to succeed are limited by our disregard of other factors that influence success besides I.Q. There was a time when IQ was considered the leading criterion of success. In what has probably been the study of his life, Daniel Goleman argues that our view of intelligence is very limited. Instead, he points out emotional intelligence as being the strongest indicator of human success. He defines emotional intelligence in terms of self-awareness, altruism, personal motivation, empathy, and the ability to love and be loved by friends, partners, and family members. People who possess high emotional intelligence are the people who truly succeed in work as well as play says Goleman. Because emotional intelligence is not predetermined, he outlines how adults as well as parents of young children can sow the seeds of a lifetime of emotional well being in children. Families and schools, he concludes, are going to have to take greater responsibility for tutoring the young in the arts of empathy, altruism and cooperation. Daniel Goleman, does not just conclude at diagnosing emotional intelligence as the key to a better life, but also chalks out a workable route to achieve that coveted life. Starting with basic science, Emotional Intelligence ends on an ethical call for action. Goleman's book is ground breaking. Not just because of the revolutionary idea it puts forth, but because of the adventure of its task and the persuasiveness of its manifestation. Excellent research, clear writing and a taut copy will please both the casual and serious reader of everyday psychology; of how people blend emotions and thinking in daily life. Each new section greets the reader with an apt captivating vignette. Goleman maintains the reader's interest without dull introductions or slow transitions. Concise references to current research describe successful applications of his theory. The logic of his arguments and its social relevance are powerful and convincing. Being a psychologist and a journalist has perhaps given Goleman the edge when it comes to people and writing about people. This probably explains the genuine contextual references made to real life examples and not just plain theoretical discourses in his book. Another gift of journalism that reflects clearly throughout the course of the book is the saturated research revealing relevant facts involved in a Herculean project like this - a book that stretches the horizons of human intelligence. I hope this review will help you. Feel free to email me with any comments or suggestions that you may have. Gary, Editor, QuikContent Services. BACK TO HOME PAGE |
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