Summary
Atlas of the Heart is a groundbreaking exploration of human emotions by renowned researcher and storyteller Brené Brown. Published in 2021, this #1 New York Times bestseller delves into 87 distinct feelings, providing readers with a comprehensive framework for understanding and connecting with others. At its core, Atlas of the Heart aims to empower individuals with the language and tools necessary for meaningful connection. By accurately naming and understanding our experiences, Brown argues, we gain the power of choice and the ability to navigate our emotional landscape with confidence.
Plot
In Atlas of the Heart, renowned researcher and author Brené Brown embarks on an ambitious journey to explore and map out the vast landscape of human emotions and experiences. The book delves into 87 distinct feelings and situations that shape our lives, offering readers a comprehensive guide to understanding the complexities of human nature.
Brown organizes these emotions and experiences into 13 categories, providing a structured framework for readers to navigate the intricate web of human feelings. Each emotion is carefully described and examined, giving readers the tools to accurately identify and articulate their own experiences. This precision in naming emotions is presented as a crucial step towards gaining personal power and agency.
Throughout the book, Brown emphasizes the importance of language in fostering meaningful connections with others. By developing a rich emotional vocabulary, readers are encouraged to share their most vulnerable and profound moments more effectively. This shared understanding, Brown argues, is the foundation for building deeper, more authentic relationships.
Drawing on her extensive research and storytelling skills, Brown guides readers through practical applications of this emotional knowledge. The book aims to equip individuals with the necessary skills to navigate their emotional landscape, make informed choices, and cultivate a sense of adventure in their personal growth journey. By providing this “atlas,” Brown hopes to empower readers to explore their inner world without fear of losing themselves.
Themes
Understanding and naming emotions
Cultivating meaningful connections
Developing emotional intelligence
Empowering personal growth through self-awareness
Building resilience and courage
Fostering empathy and compassion
Navigating vulnerability and authenticity
Setting
Atlas of the Heart is rooted in the mid 21st-century, drawing on decades of research conducted by Brené Brown and others in the fields of psychology and social science, and its insights and teachings are intended to be universally applicable. Brown's work is primarily based in the United States, where she has conducted much of her research and writing, but the emotional landscape she maps out is meant to resonate with readers across cultures and continents. The “setting” of Atlas of the Heart can be understood as the internal landscape of human emotions and experiences. Brown takes readers on a journey through this emotional terrain, providing a framework for understanding and navigating the complex world of human feelings and interactions that exists within every individual, regardless of their physical location or cultural background.
Key Figures
Brené Brown: The author, a research professor, lecturer, and storyteller known for her work on vulnerability, courage, shame, and empathy.
Readers: The readers are implicitly addressed throughout the book as Brown guides them through the emotional landscape she describes. The readers are encouraged to use the book as an atlas for their own emotional journeys, gaining insight and understanding into their experiences and those of others.
Quick facts
Atlas of the Heart book explores 87 different human emotions and experiences.
The book organizes the 87 emotions into 13 different categories.
Atlas of the Heart became a #1 New York Times bestseller.
The audiobook version is narrated by Brené Brown herself and includes a downloadable PDF of illustrations.
In 2022, Atlas of the Heart was adapted into a five-episode series for HBO Max.
Part of the HBO series premiered at SXSW on March 11, 2022.
About the Author
Dr. Brené Brown is a renowned research professor, speaker, and writer. With over two decades of experience studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy, she has become a leading voice in the field of social psychology. Her unique blend of research, storytelling, and practical advice has made her a trusted voice in personal development and leadership circles, inspiring millions to embrace vulnerability and live more authentic lives. She is the author of six #1 New York Times bestsellers, including Daring Greatly, Rising Strong, and Atlas of the Heart, and the host of two popular Spotify podcasts.
Brown's rise to prominence can be largely attributed to her 2010 TEDx talk, “The Power of Vulnerability,” which has amassed over 50 million views and is one of the most-watched TED talks globally. This talk catapulted her from relative academic obscurity into the mainstream spotlight, leading to numerous speaking engagements, books, and media appearances. Her ability to connect with audiences through personal anecdotes and self-deprecating humor has made complex psychological concepts accessible to a broad audience. She became the first researcher to have a filmed lecture featured on Netflix, and her book Atlas of the Heart was adapted into a five-episode series for HBO Max in 2022.
Beyond her academic and public-facing work, Brown is actively involved in organizational consulting, helping develop braver leaders and more courageous cultures worldwide. She resides in Houston, Texas, with her family.
