Rider author to launch 'empathy library'

Author Roman Krznaric is launching an Empathy Library – a “digital treasure house” where people can find books and films about empathy – to coincide with the publication of his new book Empathy: A Handbook for Revolution (Rider Books).

The library will not offer items to borrow or view, but will contain reviews and ratings, and top 10 lists for different categories. It will contain more than 100 items, including books such as George Orwell’s Down and Out in Paris and London and Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye, and films like "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly", "Gandhi" and "Avatar", on its launch on 20th January. The collection can be searched by theme, and anyone can join the library and add their favourite items, and comment on others.

Krznaric, a philosopher, expert on empathy and a founding faculty member of The School of Life, said: “Films and books offer fantastic opportunities for catapulting our imaginations into other people’s lives.

“What might it be like to be a child growing up in Tehran, or to be born without sight, or to be a soldier fighting someone else’s war? The Empathy Library takes you on these journeys into unknown worlds.”

He continued: “I’m hoping to create an online community resource for the planet’s empathic thinkers and activists.

“Think of it as Goodreads for the empathy revolution.”

The Empathy Library is being launched with the support of organisations including The School of Life, which is devoted to developing emotional intelligence through the help of culture; Friends of the Earth; Ashoka’s Start Empathy initiative, which aims to make sure all children master empathy; and the Roots of Empathy education programme.

Empathy: A Handbook for Revolution is out on 6th February 2014.