Sweet Fruit from the Bitter Tree: 61 Stories of Creative & Compassionate Ways out of Conflict

In contexts ranging from commonplace to profoundly dire, Mark Andreas' well-related collection demonstrates a range of effectively useful, creatively resourceful real-life examples. He reminds us the most profound of interventions, casually offered early-on, may so gracefully redirect, their significant impact may pass unnoticed & unsung. This book confirms the value of making, sharing, adapting & learning from such efforts, for which I am deeply grateful. To adapt the parenting suggestion to "Grant in Fantasy what we cannot grant in reality" I've found such approaches also useful to both myself & to others to apply "retroactively," as by wondering how ELSE an (acknowledged & remembered as historic) past event might have been experienced, had what (specifically confirming version) had been "wished" to have happened, had occurred, instead &/or to practice for likely future opportunities. The creative benevolence of my skilled, creative, & loving grandmother graced my tender years. Another local child's plight,had caused us both deep distress. To Nana, the abhorrent situation lay beyond her culturally allowable sphere of influence, (not to mention that of mine, as a mere child.), I befriended the girl & began my lifelong quest to learn ever more; doing nothing seemed WRONG, as did many other harshly punitive shame/blame methods of the day! This book, which I periodically reread, enriches.

I have recommended this book to many students and here's what they report back. They read a few stories before bed, go to sleep, wake up the next day, and go about their day. As happens in the course of a normal day, conflict arises. Sometimes it's big, sometimes it's small. Readers of this book spontaneously remember some element of a story and try responding to what's going on in a new, creative way, often with much better results than usual!Author Mark Andreas has had access to some of the smartest, most loving, most creative people in the world. This book combines that life history with his curiosity about human nature, his artful pen, and his long-standing practice of improv.If you're a leader or teacher, you'll likely find yourself sharing these fresh stories with those around you. If you're a life-long learner, you'll likely find yourself responding to conflict in new ways, all while learning via the most entertaining method, the well-crafted story.

I really liked this book and was sad when I got to the end. So many stories of how people turned around situations to a better outcome. I'll keep this book - its one I want to re-read at times for inspiration.

This book, compiled by Mark Andreas, is simply a different kind of page turner. It is a gathering of incredible, very short, true life stories. Stories of people in a wide range of real lifes situations. These shared stories tell of degrees of anger, fear, conflict, pain, hate and so much more. That there are choices we as human beings are able to make in how we react and respond. Truly remarkable stories. For anyone interested in compassion and conflict resolution, this book will be a real joy and education. For those that just want a really good read, this is a keeper.Thank you Mark for the time it must have taken you to put this book together. How deeply all these stories must have touched you, well, the idea did come to you and you brought it off to the delight of heaven!Kas Sobey-KnabbInner Harvest Hypnosis

Having heard about this book from Steven Andreas, one of the great in NLP/hypnosis, I immediately went to buy it as I LOVE stories and I know the power of them when it comes to working with people.Reading the book, I have laughed & cried and I walked away inspired myself. More so, I've shared many of these stories with others showing them how one can deal with conflict when tapping within themselves.Some stories are plain and nothing special but many are entertaining and engaging.

What I like the most about this book is that it shows how many alternatives there are to violent reactions. Since these are real-life stories, the writing is uneven, but for me, that makes the book more gritty and interesting. And because the people are from all walks of life and from multiple countries, I believe this book has wide appeal. Plus, you can find ways to think differently about others and your own preconceptions. My husband and I both loved reading it and have recommended it to many others.

Real people resolving conflict in peaceful and unusual ways. This book is a must read. I would love to gift it to friends

I bought this book a week before leaving on vacation to Europe. The short stories warmed my heart and soul. I often found myself wide awake in the middle of the night so I would read another chapter or two. I have already recommended it to several people and will continue to do so. These stories are important and memorable parables of how to live a life of peace.

Some of the stories make you laugh, some make you wipe a tear and some make you feel you amazed by how ingenious solutions can smoothly solve difficult situations.

Really interesting

Well written

Gefällt mir sehr gut. Sehr interessant verschiedenste Geschichten aus aller Welt zu hören. Und tatsächlich nimmt man bei jeder Geschichte etwas mit und lernt etwas dazu.

I've never regretted that I bought this book. The writer is the son of world-known psychotherapists!