I directly quote from this book in the process of writing my first year of research designing an ESL class in a community center. I refer to it again in my MA "file paper" (the only thing they offered that approached a thesis at the time.)

I found it one of the most useful pieces of writing for defining and giving me a lexicon for community building and classroom communities.

discussion of the dynamics of community making and the multiple components necessary for it to manifest itself

i just started reading the book. it's the second M. Scott Peck book that I've picked up. The first was The Road Less Traveled. Quickly, i am realizing i love the way that the author writes the book. Such honesty and integrity in each sentence keeps me hooked.. i have to go to work now and im upset that i have to put the book down!

ملاحظة لي - لم اقرا الكتاب بعد

author of "the road less traveled"

about community, and defining it as changes' dynamic factor for better world, not nuclear family nor the individual

I read this a long time ago but remember finding it really interestin as I have with most of Scott Peck's books.

His best since The Road Less Travelled, but so depressing to read a book that provides so many solutions the world is so unlikely to achieve.

Highly relevant account of the need for and processes of making and maintaining true community. Published during the years when Reagan's policies to shift wealth upward were being established, this book is about the trend championed by Biden to return governmental focus to the working people.

His insights concerning community building and maintenance are extensive. When he starts discussing politics and his particular theology is where the book falls short.

This book is a good one, not Road Less Traveled, but it is essential in its own way of making one see the importance and what it takes to truly be in cooperation with others. It really gives community a whole new sense of the word.

This book was an amazing look at community building as a strategy for peacemaking. I highly recommend this book for everyone!

Scott Peck’s The Different Drum is an insightful exploration into the complex nature of community and the essential human desire for deep connection. This book isn't just about group dynamics; it's about understanding the transformative power of authentic relationships, both personal and societal. With his psychological depth and spiritual wisdom, Peck brings a thoughtful approach to building meaningful communities, offering readers a profound framework for healing in an often fractured world.

The book shines in its ability to clearly define the stages of community—pseudo-community, chaos, emptiness, and true community. These stages create a narrative that is both emotionally and intellectually engaging, as Peck describes how relationships move from superficial harmony to true connection through vulnerability and openness. The world he paints is not perfect or easy, but his vision of what communities can become—if individuals are willing to do the hard work—is both inspiring and achievable.

Peck’s concept of “true community” is where the book takes its strongest stand. He argues that real community requires us to embrace differences and work through the chaos of conflict and misunderstanding. His perspective feels especially relevant today, where division and isolation are prevalent. The transformation he speaks of doesn’t come without discomfort, but it holds the promise of genuine healing for individuals and society as a whole. The communities he envisions are not about surface-level peace but about a deeper, messier process that leads to growth.

Yet, The Different Drum is not without its challenges. Some of Peck’s reflections on the human spirit and the need for emptiness may feel a bit abstract, especially when it comes to translating his ideas into real-world actions. The philosophical and spiritual undertones, while engaging, can at times feel lofty or idealistic. The book asks a lot of its readers, and while it provides a road map to building community, the path can feel difficult to follow without a clear, practical guide for application.

One of the most compelling elements of the book is its exploration of the emptiness stage, which Peck describes as a critical turning point in achieving true community. He doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable truth that, to build genuine connections, individuals must be willing to confront their own vulnerabilities and limitations. This phase of emptiness is what makes the journey worthwhile, even though it’s often the hardest part to endure.

The Different Drum is a well-crafted guide to understanding community on a deeper level, though its concepts can feel lofty at times. For those looking to explore the nature of human connection, it provides a rich, thought-provoking narrative that encourages readers to reflect on their own roles in creating and sustaining meaningful relationships. While not always easy to implement, the ideas presented in this book offer a powerful vision of what true community can look like. In the end you gain a new feeling for the word consensus.

This book changed the way I relate to people, especially in groups.