Recommended Reading for Nonviolent Communication

Below are our top recommendations for Nonviolent Communication. All these publications are available through Amazon.

1. General / Introductory : Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life
2. NVC in Schools : Life-Enriching Education
3. NVC in Schools : The No-Fault Classroom
4. NVC and Parenting : Growing Up In Trust
5. NVC Home Study : NVC Home Study Course
6. NVC in Organisations : The Empathy Factor
7. NVC and Social Change : Speak Peace in a World of Conflict

1. Nonviolent Communication : A Language of Life, by Marshall Rosenberg, PhD.

If you were to read one book on Nonviolent Communication, this would be the one! The seminal work by Marshall Rosenberg, outlining the process he created. In this book Marshall explains how key elements of Nonviolent Communication evolved. It includes chapters on the four basic elements of the Nonviolent Communication process, empathy, expressing anger, the protective use of force and gratitude. This book will give you a thorough overview of the process and principles of NVC.

2. Life-Enriching Education, by Marshall Rosenberg, PhD.

This book is the fruit of 40 years that Marshall Rosenberg has spent consulting the teachers and administrators in public and private schools from kindergarten to graduate level. During this time Marshall Rosenberg was instrumental in creating an award winning school for children who had been excluded from other schools. here Marshall Rosenberg contrasts a 'domination-style' approach to education with a 'life-enriching' approach. He demonstrates the process of Nonviolent Communication as applied in school settings and he offers suggests for creating an interdependent learning community where cooperation, self-esteem and respect for others predominate. If you are disatisfied with the current education system and are looking for alternatives, or are simply looking for ways to manage better within the current system, this book will give you much food for thought as well as practical guidance.

3. The No-Fault Classroom: A Practical Kit for Teachers and Students, by Sura Hart & Victoria Kindle Hodson.

Offering far more than discipline techniques — which move aggressive behavior from the classroom to the playground — The No-Fault Classroom leads students ages 7–12 to strengthen lifelong empathic listening, problem solving and conflict resolution skills.

4. Growing Up in Trust, by Justine Mol

Our culture tells us that children need to be taught the difference between right and wrong.  In this book Justine Mol suggests that children have an inborn sense of morality and a longing to please and learn, and this sense will grow if we can simply be authentic with them, and relate in a way that deemonstrates that their needs are just as important as our own.  This is a practical book, with useful chapters such as 'Creating Rules and Agreements', 'Hearing the "Yes" in a Child's "No"', and 'Alternatives to the Reward and Punishment System' (which is ingrained in our culture, and in the way we relate to children).  This book is particularly useful for parents up to the teenage years, and anyone who works with children.

5. Nonviolent Communication Training Course : Home Study

9 Cds, 92 - page manual, 7 training cards

If it is not easy for you to attend a Nonviolent Communication training in person, due to time commitments or location, this home study course will provide you with the resources you need to learn and start applying Nonviolent Communication. It is modelled after the 9-day international intensive seminars which were the main vehicle through which Marshall Rosenberg taught NVC for many years. Included are a 92 page workbook, 9 CDs, and 7 training cards to help you practice NVC in any environment - work, home, school or socially - where you want to honour "what is alive" in yourself and others.

6. The Empathy Factor : Your Competitive Advantage for Personal, Team and Business Success, by Marie Miyashiro

Marie Miyashiro has spent 26 years advising for-profit companies, government organisations and non-profit organisations to substantially improve their organisational communication. She encountered Nonviolent Communication in 2004 and immediately saw the way it addressed fundamental issues that were often overlooked in organisations. She was fortunate to work alongside Marshall Rosenberg in organisations, the fruit of which has led to the creation of a process that combines Nonviolent Communication with the needs of organisations and teams. Organisations are made up of humans, and this book is full of practical suggestions and models to 'humanise' the work environment, resulting in a happier, more creative and productive work force. Highly recommended!

7. Speak Peace in a World of Conflict : What You Say Next Will Change Your World

if you are interested in social change this book is for you. In the earlier chapters Marshall Rosenberg outlines the basic process of Nonviolent Communication. Later chapters explore themes such as conflict resolution, transforming business culture and authoritarian structures, transforming enemy images, addressing terrorism, and effective social change.