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How to Read Minds

The Science and Art of Empathy

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How to Read Minds

By: Aimee Cliff
Narrated by: Alby Baldwin
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About this listen

'A beautifully observed exploration of what it really means to understand another person' EMMA REED TURRELL

'Sharp, funny and brilliant – a book that needed to be written' DR CAMILLA PANG

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What is true empathy?

The classic stereotype of autistic people is that they can’t empathise, that they’re highly intellectual but find it difficult to connect. As an autistic psychotherapist who empathises for a living, Aimee Cliff knew that this wasn’t right. Empathy is something you do, not something you are – meaning it’s something we can all get better at, if we choose to practise.

Drawing on the latest scientific research, her clinical experience and interviews with a wide range of neurodivergent people, Cliff examines how empathy works in the brain and body, and lays out five pillars that allow anyone to practise empathy. She finds that empathy is humble, empathy is embodied, empathy is amoral, empathy is radical, and empathy is work.

How to Read Minds offers a new idea of empathy with a more radical and expansive definition. For real empathy fights against constrictive stereotypes and dares to imagine something new. It has the potential to connect and liberate humans across our differences.

This wise, humane and quietly life-changing book considers how to understand each other, how to care for and love each other, in a timeless examination of questions that affect us all.

‘Clear-eyed, forensic and humane’ Sophie Walker, author of Five Rules for Rebellion

©2025 Aimee Cliff (P)2026 HarperCollins Publishers Growing Up & Facts of Life Mental Health Personal Development Personal Success Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships Compassion Funny Human Brain

Critic reviews

'Sharp, funny and brilliant – a book that needed to be written' Dr Camilla Pang, author of Explaining Humans

'A beautifully observed exploration of what it really means to understand another person. It’s a book about tuning in, slowing down and learning to hear what isn’t always spoken. Wise, honest and quietly transformative' Emma Reed Turrell, author of Please Yourself

‘Clear-eyed, forensic and humane … challenges outdated assumptions about how we understand autistic people and each other. Empathy as a collective learning exercise is something we could all do with more of’ Sophie Walker, author of Five Rules for Rebellion

‘A much-needed guide to empathy – what it really is, what it isn't, and all the ways in which we can put it to transformative use’ Joanne Limburg, author of Letters to My Weird Sisters

'Challenges us to question the ‘universal’ in human psychology and relationships … to argue that what really matters is how we show up for each other' Devon Price, author of Unmasking Autism

'In this warm and insightful book, Aimee Cliff offers an invaluable reframing of the nature of empathy: empathy is not a static trait, but a practice one can develop' Nick Walker, author of Neuroqueer Heresies

All stars
Most relevant
Empathy is important in my line of work but I've never really consciously thought about what it is and how to apply it. Made me think about what assumptions I had been making in my interactions with others, both professionally and personally. If I'd been asked what I thought empathy meant, I think I'd have very different answers before/after reading this book.

Incredibly well researched, and not afraid to challenge some of the more parroted and prevailing theories around autism. Despite being in a line of work where I not-infrequently try to engage with people with autism, I have never had any formal training in neurodivergence, and this book would not feel out of place in such a syllabus.

However, it never felt like a lecture, or too dense with science/references. A strong tempo and accompanying personal stories meant my attention didn't stray.

Also feels hugely current and relevant to the issues of today, both re: how we approach autism specifically but also the general shift of society, culture and politics of the last several years/decade.

Thought provoking, relevant, balanced

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