BOOK: The Magic of Dialogue, Daniel Yankelovich. Simon & Schuster. New York, 1999. Writing from the perspective of a social scientist, Yankelovich gives examples of dialogues that “work” and from them draws fifteen strategies for dialogue.

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BOOK: The Argument Culture, Deborah Tannen. Random House. New York, 1998. A socio-linguist looks at the American tendency to use argument as a way to resolve disputes. Written in a popular style with concrete examples, Tannen points out the pervasive warlike atmosphere of American life and its relationship to media, legal disputes, political discourse, and gendered speech. The last chapter is entitled, “The Roots of Debate in Education and the Hope for Dialogue.” This is not about “how to dialogue;” rather, it shows “why we need to learn to dialogue.”

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ARTICLE: “A Dialogue Decalogue,” Leonard Swidler. This early articulation of learnings from ecumenical dialogue continues to provide helpful insights. Dialogue within the Catholic Church, however, must also take into account the appropriate hierarchical authority.

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ARTICLE: “Five-Stage Process of Dialogue,” Harold H. Saunders. Published in Laity in the Church and in the World. United States Catholic Conference. Washington, DC, 1998. pp. 79-105. Mr. Saunders writes from long experience in ecumenical dialogue. He discusses “Sustained Dialogue”—over a long period of time—and the resource it can provide both within and between congregations. His insights are both wise and practical. To order a copy of Laity in Church and in the World, please contact USCC Publishing Services at 1-800-235-8722