High Conflict | Amanda Ripley

Why it is included: Conflict is normal and healthy. "High Conflict" is a trap.

Ripley, an investigative journalist, explains the mechanics of how we get stuck in "us vs. them" feuds where the goal shifts from "solving the problem" to "hurting the other side."

She identifies the "conflict entrepreneurs"—pundits, algorithms, and leaders—who profit from keeping us inflamed.

This book is the tactical manual for de-escalation.

Unlike general books on polarization, Ripley provides specific tools for "looping" (active listening) and disrupting the binary narratives that fuel hatred.

It is essential reading for anyone trying to build community in a polarized era, teaching us how to escape the "tar pit" of toxic division and return to "Good Conflict"—the kind that actually moves society forward.