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  • The Art of Gathering

  • How We Meet and Why It Matters
  • Written by: Priya Parker
  • Narrated by: Bernadette Dunne
  • Length: 9 hrs and 21 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (107 ratings)

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The Art of Gathering

Written by: Priya Parker
Narrated by: Bernadette Dunne
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Publisher's Summary

"Hosts of all kinds, this is a must-read!" (Chris Anderson, owner and curator of TED)

From the host of the New York Times podcast Together Apart, an exciting new approach to how we gather that will transform the ways we spend our time together - at home, at work, in our communities, and beyond.

In The Art of Gathering, Priya Parker argues that the gatherings in our lives are lackluster and unproductive - which they don't have to be. We rely too much on routine and the conventions of gatherings when we should focus on distinctiveness and the people involved. At a time when coming together is more important than ever, Parker sets forth a human-centered approach to gathering that will help everyone create meaningful, memorable experiences, large and small, for work and for play.

Drawing on her expertise as a facilitator of high-powered gatherings around the world, Parker takes us inside events of all kinds to show what works, what doesn't, and why. She investigates a wide array of gatherings - conferences, meetings, a courtroom, a flash-mob party, an Arab-Israeli summer camp - and explains how simple, specific changes can invigorate any group experience.

The result is a book that's both journey and guide, full of exciting ideas with real-world applications. The Art of Gathering will forever alter the way you look at your next meeting, industry conference, dinner party, and backyard barbecue - and how you host and attend them.

©2018 Priya Parker (P)2018 Penguin Audio
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What the critics say

“As social animals, humans gather, meet, and bond - seeking meaning, purpose, creative expression, and more. In almost all cases this is an unconscious process leading to subtle frustration and a lack of satisfaction. For the last few years I’ve avoided social gatherings because I find them meaningless and banal. I learned much from this book. Priya Parker has created both an art and a science to gathering in ways that can bring joy and fulfillment to any meeting.” (Deepak Chopra)

“[A] remarkable new book about how we spend our time together, at work, at home, and beyond. If you want to get more out of every event, whether it's with your boss and co-workers or friends and family, The Art of Gathering can help.” (Bustle)

“[A] fantastic book.... Good things happen when people connect. Especially when we follow Priya’s sage advice.” (Forbes)

What listeners say about The Art of Gathering

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Meaning making in a time of cynicism and apathy. Good stuff.

Heterodox, in a good way. Thoughtful and respectful transfer of the power of ritual and how people make meaning.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Great content

Great content, very valuable and examples of how to apply the concepts. Dry voice, but you get used to it.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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helpful and guided

I recommend this book to facilitators, systems designers and anyone who hosts meetings or events. Sooo essentially everyone!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Epic book

So much good in here! Changed the way I think about gathering people and will definitely be implementing a lot of this 😄

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Interesting perspective

I enjoyed this audiobook. I wanted to listen to it after hearing a podcast with Priya Parker on Goop. I was a little disappointed that the audiobook is not Priya Parker’s voice, if she does record the book herself one day I’d buy it and listen to it again!

I read other reviews and some people seemed to say they were disappointed there were not enough details and specific instructions. This book isn’t a recipe book or a how-to book. Priya will teach you to look out for human behaviour and to think about people’s experience as a whole at a gathering. She describes gatherings that were magical and worked really well and lists the reasons she thinks they worked. There are also many examples of gatherings went terribly wrong mostly because of very simple elements overlooked. All of it is interesting and food for thought.

Thank you for your insight Priya Parker!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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If you care about quality of your gatherings,listen to this book.

There are lots of things in this world that we do not thinking about and do same way they have been done forever. Like a birthday party or conference. This book is an ultimate guide of how to hold a good gathering no matter what is the cause. With insights on what to do and most importantly what not to do,this book makes a sort of party guide. It definitely changed the way I am going to look from now on at making a gathering a success. Making people love your party or event is a talent and after this book you are sure to be better at it.

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Great resource …

And I love the way the information is broken down with storytelling. Easily digestible and a wonderful tool for me to use to continue pioneering in my niche travel and events company!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Well worth listening

Been curious about this book for a while very helpful exercises and thoughts around all gatherings

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Art of Gathering

I liked it . Very interesting. I would like more examples of each point the author makes.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Okay, what is with this narrator?!

I bought this book after having it recommended to me by a colleague, and subsequently listening to the interview with Priya Parker on the Goop podcast. She was so warm and engaging, I was inspired to buy the book and I was really looking forward to the audio version. As a busy working mom, I often prefer audio books, especially for non-fiction as I can listen when travelling, driving, exercising, cooking etc. I like to absorb the content while doing other things- it’s a treat. But lord almighty I honestly couldn’t get past the intro, I had a visceral reaction to the gravelly severity of the the narrator’s voice- it was so unexpected and so off-putting. I’m still interested in the content, but man, what’s the deal with this narration choice? An immediate no-go for me. Might order the hard copy but probably won’t actually read it in reality. Bummed.

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4 people found this helpful