Author: Dacher Keltner

“Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life” by Dacher Keltner explores the profound emotion of awe and its impact on our lives. Keltner, a psychology professor at UC Berkeley, delves into the science behind awe, illustrating how it can help us reduce stress, find purpose, and enhance our cognitive abilities and relationships¹².

Summary

Keltner defines awe as the feeling of being in the presence of something vast that transcends our current understanding of the world. He categorizes awe into eight types:
1. Moral Beauty: Inspired by acts of virtue and kindness.
2. Collective Effervescence: The shared energy and emotion in group experiences, like concerts.
3. Nature: The overwhelming beauty of natural landscapes.
4. Music: The emotional power of music.
5. Visual Design, Art, and Architecture: Awe-inspiring creations like the Great Wall of China or the Mona Lisa.
6. Life and Death: Profound moments related to birth and death.
7. Epiphanies: Sudden realizations or insights.
8. Spirituality and Religion: Experiences tied to spiritual or religious beliefs¹².

Reviews

• Kirkus Reviews praises the book for its insightful exploration of how awe shapes our lives, highlighting Keltner’s ability to blend scientific research with personal anecdotes².
• Four Minute Books emphasizes the practical lessons Keltner offers, such as how to find awe in everyday life and its benefits for mental health and well-being¹.
• Blinkist notes that the book provides a deep dive into the transformative power of awe, showing how it can improve mood, well-being, and relationships³.

Overall, “Awe” is celebrated for its thought-provoking content and practical advice on cultivating awe in our daily lives. Have you read any other books on similar topics?

Source:
(1) Awe Book Summary | Dacher Keltner – Four Minute Books. https://fourminutebooks.com/awe-summary/.
(2) AWE – Kirkus Reviews. https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/dacher-keltner/awe-new-science/.
(3) Awe Summary of Key Ideas and Review | Dacher Keltner – Blinkist. https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/awe-en.
(4) Book Summary: Awe by Dacher Keltner. https://5minutebooksummary.com/awe-summary/.
(5) Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your …. https://mitpressbookstore.mit.edu/book/9781984879707.