SUBJECT: HOPE FOR THE LONG HAUL
In these tough political times, I thought you'd like
to know about a book that lifts the fog of political despair that so many
good people are feeling these days--“The Impossible Will Take a Little While: A
Citizen’s Guide to Hope in a Time of Fear,” edited by Paul Rogat Loeb.
And also about Loeb's earlier activist classic, "Soul of a Citizen." The Impossible
creates a conversation among some of the most visionary
and eloquent voices of our times: Think Nelson Mandela, Maya Angelou, Arundhati
Roy, Tony Kushner, Václav
Havel, and Howard Zinn. Alice Walker, Jonathan Kozol, Diane Ackerman, Susan
Griffin, and Marian Wright Edelman. Cornel West, Terry Tempest Williams, Jim
Hightower, and Desmond Tutu.
With The Impossible, editor Paul Loeb, whom Susan Sontag called “a national treasure” for his work on courage and conscience, explores what it’s like to go up against Goliath, whether South African apartheid, the iron fist of Eastern European dictatorship, or Mississippi segregation. These stories don’t sugarcoat the obstacles. But they inspire hope by showing what keeps us keeping on--even when the odds seem overwhelming. They replenish the wellsprings of our commitment.
The History Channel and The American Book Association named The Impossible the #3 political book of 2004, with their reviewer commenting "This might possibly be the most important collection of stories and essays you will ever read." The Sierra Club picked it for their new reading group program, calling it “hopeful, inspiring, and motivating," saying "it may well be required reading for us all,” and it won the Nautlius Award for best social change book of the year. Bill Moyers said "You are part of what's good about this world and I admire your work very much. This book can even make one hopeful about the future despite so many signs to the contrary." Habitat for Humanity founder Millard Fuller wrote "Paul Loeb brings hope for a better world in a time when we so urgently need it." And Barbara Ehrenreich wrote, "For anyone worn down by Bushism, The Impossible Will Take a Little While is a bracing double cappuccino!"
If you care about change in a world where most people are told their voices don’t count, think of this book as a gift to yourself--bread for the journey to keep on working for justice, and hope to inspire others.
Find
out more by visiting
www.theimpossible.org.
You’ll find
excerpts from the book, wonderful reviews, excerpts, information on classroom use,
questions for reading groups and lots more. If you'd like to check out a wonderfully
inspiring animated E-Card, visit http://www.perseusbookspromos.com/impossible/
Thanks for reading this email. Please forward it to anyone who could use
what Bonnie Raitt calls “a song of hope in these difficult times.” And do your soul a favor by reading the book.
You can also visit
www.paulloeb.org/soul.htm to
learn about Paul's underground bestseller,
Soul of a Citizen: Living With
Conviction in a Cynical Time. Howard Zinn called it
"An
essential book for anyone who wants to work for change.” Jonathan Kozol
wrote "I
stayed up half the night reading Soul of
a Citizen, finding it a beautiful and morally transcendent work that
speaks in gentle words directly to the heart." San Francisco Chronicle
columnist Stephanie Salter wrote
"It
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.'" And Marian Wright Edelman wrote,
"Soul of a Citizen helps us find the faith we need to act on our deepest
beliefs--and keep on."
If you teach a class where you might assign Paul's books, you can find
information on classroom responses, academic study questions, and academic
exam copies at www.classroom.theimpossible.org
for The Impossible and
www.soulofacitizen.org/classroom.htm
for Soul. And finally, see
www.theimpossible.org/schedule.htm for
where Paul will be speaking.
Please pass this flier to friends.
THE IMPOSSIBLE WILL TAKE A LITTLE WHILE: COMMENTS & REVIEWS
History
Channel & American Book Association's #3 political book for Fall 2004
"You are part of what's good about this world and I admire your work very much. This book can even make one hopeful about the future despite so many signs to the contrary."—Bill Moyers
"Paul Loeb brings hope for a better world in a time when we so urgently need it."--Millard Fuller, founder, Habitat for Humanity
"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 might possibly be the most important collection of stories and essays you will ever read." --American Book Association & History Channel top-10 Fall 2004 political book list
"A stirring collection of essays aimed at people who still want to believe that ordinary people can change the world." --Atlanta Journal Constitution
"This inspiring collection is such a song of hope in these difficult times--Bonnie Raitt
"For anyone worn down by Bushism, The Impossible Will Take a Little While is a bracing double cappuccino!"--Barbara Ehrenreich
"An anthology of some of the most powerful voices of our time."--Boston Globe
"As I read these stories, I am reminded yet again of the incredible power we have as individuals and the multiplication of that power when we come together. Thank you for this book of inspiring writing." --Joan Blades, cofounder, MoveOn.org
"A magnificent anthology celebrates hope, guts, and the power of taking action.... Loeb has done us a great favor [and] compiled for us the words of 49 of the most gifted and heroic men and women of our time, 49 testimonials to stamina and compassion in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, 49 reasons to keep hope alive in this time of frustration and fear, 49 ways to take action..."--Pam Houston, Oprah magazine [Lead Review]
"Stunning insights...educational and inspirational."--Seattle Times
"An extremely important effort."--John Kenneth Galbraith
"A wonderful book, with some extraordinary folks contributing. It reminds us that darkness always comes before the dawn."--Reg Weaver, president, National Education Association
"Stop worrying, stop feeling sorry for humanity and read 'The Impossible Will Take a Little While.'"--Chicago Tribune
"An intelligent, impressive compendium of ideas and feelings that, if implemented, will lead to a far more civilized society." --Peter Matthiessen
"An indispensable anthology of hope and inspiration. Put away your Prozac, and pick up The Impossible Will Take a Little While." --Arianna Huffington
"Refreshingly empowering, healing, and amazingly inspirational. It touches the imagination, retrieves the faith, and is desperately needed by our country to provoke new hope and meaning. It is a glass half full for the cynic and the fearful, a compilation of vision for the complacent, and an antidote for the despondent--truly a must read for everyone." --Steelabor, United Steelworkers of America
"A book of essays meant to inspire people."--Christian Science Monitor
"Reading this hymnbook of hope, one's heart cannot help but sing. I am moved and inspired by this magnificent book's rich stories and insights. They water the fragile, precious seed of hope, from which everything we love grows." --Vicki Robin, author, Your Money or Your Life
"Just what the doctor ordered for these depressing times: a massive infusion of hope, written in the clearest and most inspiring prose. Do your soul a favor and read this book." --Kevin Danaher, cofounder, Global Exchange
"A powerful chorus of hope. Loeb introduces us to a community of heroic individuals who by their actions sustain themselves and can help inspire the rest of us."-- Bill Meadows, president, Wilderness Society
"Captures the way the fight for decency can change people and change circumstances, even when victory is still in the distance--Rich Trumka, secretary--treasurer, AFL--CIO
"Everyone who believes in our humanity and the ideal of justice for all, but feels despair by the direction the world has taken since 9/11, will find their faith in our ability to serve the common good restored by Paul Loeb's symphony of powerful voices." --Charles Johnson, National Book Award winner, author of Middle Passage
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