This book is remarkable. Appreciative inquiry (AI) appears simple until one scratches the surface to discover its remarkable depth and complexity. The challenge for any author trying to convey the concept of AI is to reveal the complexity of AI without losing its simple invitation. Ms. Kelm succeeds.
Once a person experiences AI, the theory makes sense. It's sort of like telling the story, then explaining the details. Each detail is almost obvious once you have seen the context presented through the story. For years, AI practitioners have dealt with AI's complexity by teaching through experiential exercises. So how can the writer of a book emulate the experience so that the details of AI become obvious to the reader who may never have heard of AI, let alone experienced it?
Ms. Kelm makes it happen. She does this beginning with the simple, clear and consistent organization of the book. Second are the remarkably apt quotations at the beginning of every section. They seem to have been written with the content of the section in mind even though many were written 100's of years before. Third, Ms. Kelm includes references from books as far flung as philosophy, psychology, and chaos theory. Moreover, the references appear naturally in a flowing text that is both easy to read and rich with content. Rarely have I underscored so many points in a book I am reading. Days after reading her book, I have already begun using the points in my work.
After presenting the concepts, Ms. Kelm puts it all together in a chapter called "Practicing the Principles." She says, "[We] do not have to cognitively understand the principles to live them. It is also possible to understand the theory and not live the principles." And then she invites you into her own life to see how AI can be lived - how habits can change. In her typical thorough fashion, she offers not one, two, or three exercises, but 10. Just in case one doesn't fit your style, you can move on to the next. Some of the most influential people in my life were and are still people who live appreciative lives. Ms. Kelm shows you how to live the appreciative life.
At the very end, true to her sense of good organization, Ms. Kelm summarizes the content of her book. What a treat for those of us who use our libraries as references as well as inspirations to our work.