SUBJECT: An Antidote to Despair: Paul Loeb’s New Soul of a Citizen
“I stayed up half the night reading Soul of a Citizen, finding it a beautiful and morally transcendent work. Paul Loeb is a personal hero of mine who gives decency and generosity a political character, in the humblest of ways. The new edition is magnificent.”—Jonathan Kozol
“Rich, engaging, clearly written. An essential book for anyone who wants to work for change. It will inspire people new to activism, and deals with cynicism and burnout in a good way for movement veterans. Altogether, a wonderful job, rich with specific experience.”—Howard Zinn
"The voices Loeb finds demonstrate that courage can be another name for love."—Alice Walker
How do we keep working for change in these difficult times, and overcome political demoralization? With over a hundred thousand copies in print, Paul Loeb’s Soul of a Citizen has become a classic handbook for budding activists, veteran organizers, and anyone who wants to make their voices heard and actions count. It’s inspired thousands of citizens as an antidote to powerlessness and despair.
St Martin's has now published a wholly updated new edition of Soul, addressing the challenges and opportunities of our time. It explores how ordinary citizens can act and keep on acting even if we may wonder whether our actions really matter. It explores how we can get involved and get others involved in critical causes; how to help people get past the obstacles; what we can learn from citizen movements of the past; and, how to maintain our commitments for the long haul and avoid burning out in exhaustion or frustration. Soul explores what it's like to go up against Goliath, and keep on even when the odds seem overwhelming.
The new edition is getting powerful responses. We hope you’ll buy it as a gift to yourself (16.95 paperback), and forward this email to friends. Visit Paul’s website to find excerpts, reviews, information on classroom use, and multiple ways to pass the word . If you live or have friends in cities where Paul will be speaking, you can see his schedule here (they include New York, Washington DC, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, with others to be added). The History Channel and the American Book Association named Paul’s anthology on political hope, The Impossible Will Take a Little While , the #3 political book of 2004, and Bill Moyers wrote, “This book can even make one hopeful about the future despite so many signs to the contrary." The late Susan Sontag called Loeb “A national treasure.” Kurt Vonnegut wrote “A lot of smart people who have some influence on the course of history will read and admire you—and learn from you.”” And Habitat for Humanity founder Millard Fuller concluded “Paul Loeb brings hope for a better world in a time when we so urgently need it.”
Thanks for reading this email. Please forward it to anyone who could use some hope, or advice in building the movements we need to reclaim America. And do your soul a favor by reading the book.
MORE PRAISE FOR SOUL OF A CITIZEN
“Soul of a Citizen helps us find the faith we need to act on our deepest beliefs—and keep on.”—Marian Wright Edelman, president, The Children’s Defense Fund
“Soul has been a powerful inspiration to citizens acting for environmental sanity, showing how they can take committed stands, even if they don’t know every last answer. The new edition is even more inspirational.”—Bill McKibben
“When my daughter asked from college how to be an effective grassroots citizen, I gave her Paul's book. The new edition is even more powerful.”—Josette Sheeran, Executive Director, United Nations World Food Program
“ To really, truly understand why it’s important for us all to stand up and act, and how to do it, read the new updated edition of Soul of a Citizen, an activist classic that belongs on the shelf right next to Saul Alinsky.” —Thom Hartmann
“A passionate but reasoned call for Americans to become involved in issues that matter.”—Chicago Sun-Times
"Soul of a Citizen has been a powerful resource to get thousands of students involved in their communities, giving them the opportunity to apply their learning in meaningful ways. This updated edition is both timely and exceptionally useful to campuses that want to reclaim higher education’s central role in educating responsible, democratic citizens."—Carol Geary Schneider, President, American Association of Colleges & Universities
“A highly personable story of integrity and commitment that reminds all of us that we have often-unrealized abilities to live lives worthy of our convictions.”—Steelabor, United Steelworkers
“As he tells the stories of ordinary people who became activists, Loeb examines the stumbling blocks—perceived powerlessness, cynicism, burnout—that keep most Americans from participating in the public sphere, as well as the rewards of following a different path." —Sierra Club magazine
“Brims with stirring stories of everyday heroes who saw something wrong, heeded the voice of their conscience, gathered support and, acting in concert with others, changed things and made a difference.”—Philadelphia Inquirer
“Thoughtful and encouraging, Loeb offers a rich spirituality of citizenship for both experienced activists and those just wondering where to begin.” —Jim Wallis, editor, Sojourners
“Examines the psychology and spirituality of community involvement, recounting numerous true stories of how ordinary citizens produced significant social change.”
—Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“Should be mandatory reading for anyone over the age of 12—especially every woman or man who has traded ‘I give a damn’ for ‘I give up.’”—San Francisco Chronicle
MORE PRAISE FOR THE IMPOSSIBLE WILL TAKE A LITTLE WHILE
"This might possibly be the most important collection of stories and essays
you will ever read."—American Book Association & History Channel
top-10 2004 political book list
"A much needed salvo against despair."—Psychology Today
"Hopeful, inspiring and motivating...May well be required reading for us all."—Sierra Club magazine
“Deeply moving and motivating… a retinue to be reckoned with; a plethora of commentary from those dedicated to the concept of a better world”—Baltimore Sun
"This inspiring collection is such a song of hope in these difficult
times—Bonnie Raitt
"For anyone worn down, The Impossible is
a bracing double cappuccino!"—Barbara Ehrenreich
"An anthology of some of the most powerful voices of our time."—Boston Globe
To buy Soul of a Citizen or The Impossible Will Take a Little While click here.
To sign up for Paul’s email list or Facebook page click here. And please do pass this flier to friends.