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Book Reviews |
A compilation of books reviewed by Mariposa Leadership.
- Lakoff, George
Whose Freedom?
The Battle over America's most Important Idea
Head: (5 of 5)
Heart: (4 of 5)
Leadership Applicability: (4.5 of 5)
Author George Lakoff, Berkeley Professor of Cognitive Science/Linguistics, highlights the importance and correlation of ideas and language. He states that ideas really do matter, and that language is the medium that conveys and distributes ideas to others. The author argues that no other idea has mattered more in America than the idea of freedom. Freedom makes up the core of our Declaration of Independence and Constitution. We hear about freedom in speaches and songs, and it's literally become part of America's historical fabric and discourse. But what exactly is freedom and how is it being framed by current leaders?This is the timely and pressing issue that Lakoff tackles. The word freedom can mean very different things to different people. For instance, in politics the progressive left frames freedom quite differently than the conservative right. Lakoff argues, our country currently seems to be divided into two very distinct worldviews -- each framing their idea of freedom quite differently from the other. This distinction, in turn, greatly affects the way leaders lead.Whose Freedom? is an informative and important book that sheds light on the power of language, the use of frames, and their ability to define freedom in contemporary American society, politics, and business. The book offers unique and timely insight into the crucial role that language and frames play in today's leadership. Buy it.
