ANGER IS YOUR COMPASS

The author has drawn on his experience coaching individuals and couples to develop what he characterizes as a new approach to managing anger and establishing “emotional intelligence.” This book asserts that anger isn’t merely a negative force; it can also help to guide people in the direction of growth, healing, and peace by sparking self-reflection and analysis of anger’s root causes: “Pursuing the darkest side of anger will lead you to the brightest light within you,” he says. “The key is to work with anger instead of against it.” The book is structured in three parts: The first takes a deep dive into emotions and why people get angry when their four “core needs” (“safety, integrity, love, and actualization”) aren’t met; the second aims to teach one how to be a “compassionate warrior” with three foundational principles for working with anger; and the third covers a “three-step process to deal with conflict, enhance your relationships, and grow emotionally and spiritually.” The book includes tips, tricks, and instructions for practicing nonjudgmental mindfulness and taking personal responsibility, among other skills. Some readers will find the book to be useful for building confidence and awareness as they seek a sense of harmony. Ratson’s framework, as laid out in these pages, is forward-thinking, and he makes his ideas easy to understand. His book’s structure is intuitive, proceeding logically in a way that makes for a seamless reader experience. Most notably, the author makes sure that readers understand the origins of their anger before trying to move away from it, and he shows the effects of that choice. Overall, the book is a well-researched and hopeful read from the start: “Embracing your anger takes courage, but it allows you to tap into your shadows and transform what seems unacceptable into something rich and positive.”