Soul of a Citizen Reviews"Compassion, intelligence, and thought-provoking wisdom...A new vision for personal engagement with societal issues."—Publisher's Weekly, starred review
"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."—Jonathan Kozol
"A passionate but reasoned call for Americans to become involved in issues that matter."—Chicago Sun-Times
“Rich, engaging, clearly written. An essential book for anyone who wants to work for change. The book will inspire people new to activism, and deals with cynicism and burnout in a good way for movement veterans. Altogether, a wonderful job, a work that's rich with specific experience, not abstract theorizing.”—Howard Zinn, author, People's History of the United States
"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
"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 of a Citizen may well become the handbook for activism at the turn of the century."—Amazon.com
"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
"The voices Loeb finds demonstrate that courage can be another name for love."—Alice Walker
"Thoughtful and encouraging, Loeb offers a rich spirituality of citizenship for both experienced activists and those just wondering where to begin."—Jim Wallis"Like few other chroniclers today, Paul Loeb uncannily captures the thoughts and hopes, inchoate though they be, of America. Loeb is a natural."—Studs Terkel
"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.'"
—Stephanie Salter, San Francisco Chronicle"Convincingly affirms the human ability to create positive change"—ALA Booklist
"Soul of a Citizen helps teach us what to do."—David Brower, founder, Friends of the Earth.
"Tells wonderful stories and offers powerful lessons about how citizens of all ages have engaged themselves in their communities and worked for a more just world in a variety of ways."—Youth Service America
"An inspiring and helpful guide to working for societal change in these cynical times."—Seattle Post-Intelligencer"A transformative book of courage and authenticity, Soul of a Citizen challenges the apathy and ennui of modern life. If you have children, give it to them. If not, give it to your parents."—Paul Hawken, co-founder Smith & Hawken, author, The Ecology of Commerce
"Loeb can pierce a cynic's armor with his practical examination of social change and how it comes about."—San Jose Mercury News
"Loeb writes very powerfully."—Chicago Tribune
"[Teaches] what it means to be a caring, compassionate citizen"—Parents Magazine
"This wonderful book teaches us the value of taking chances and not being afraid to fail. It reminds us that the more we help others build productive lives, the better our own lives will be."—Bob Chase, president, National Education Association
"Demonstrates that no one we call ‘great’ ever works in a vacuum, and that sometimes great results are achieved by someone who just takes action…An inspirational book. Put it in the hands of any people you know who think that what they do won’t make a difference."—Phi Beta Kappa Key Reporter
"Examines the psychology and spirituality of community involvement, recounting numerous true stories of how ordinary citizens produced significant social change."
—Atlanta Journal Constitution"Written with thought and conviction, Soul of a Citizen skillfully erases the seams between political and the personal. Loeb's eyes are wide open and his feet planted as he examines the roots of disengagement from community—economic disparity, job insecurity and a culture that values profit over people."—John Sweeney, president, AFL-CIO
"A book that should be placed in the hands of every cynic who sees societal problems and then retreats to their private sanctuary, shrugs and says ‘there’s nothing we can do.’…A powerful prescription for the cure of the insidious disease of cynicism."—Public Citizen
"A call for community involvement and a challenge to apathy."—Digby Diehl, Modern Maturity
"Paul Loeb has been doing wonderfully patient work for some years now, exploring the American conscience from the inside. I regard Loeb as something of a national treasure."—Susan Sontag
"Paul Loeb is one of the finest spokespeople I know for a spiritually based citizen activism. A must read for people seeking to heal our country and the world."
—Marianne Williamson"If you are ready to serve as a wounded warrior in order to bring peace and healing to our planet, read this book and then join the battle."—Bernie Siegel M.D
"Encouraging and insightful...documents the powerful and inspiring stories of ordinary folks who have discovered that social engagement is an antidote for spirits sullen with cynicism."—Sean Gonsalves, Oakland Tribune
"Makes the argument that not only can modern people reclaim their sanity, but they can make a difference."—Minneapolis Star Tribune
"Loeb has massed a powerful arsenal for his assault on cynicism."—The Oregonian
"A much-needed call for community involvement."—Art Levine, president, Teachers College, Columbia University
"Absolutely splendid—a tremendous resource, an activating presence, and, above all, a new way of being."—Jean Houston
"Recounts what's preventing regular folks from working in a more committed fashion beyond writing the odd cheque in these cynical times."—Toronto Globe & Mail
"A masterful job of examining the roots of individual disengagement...An invaluable resource for anyone who wants to work for meaningful change."—Sojourners
"Hopeful, compassionate, and powerfully written."—Grace Paley
"Fresh, realistic, and inspiring."—Hope Magazine
"Hopeful, fascinating, and admirable."—Robert McAfee Brown, Stanford chaplain emeritus
"Reveals that the spiritual resources of patience and hope are essential ingredients of soulful citizenship."—Values & Visions reviews service
"Every now and then a book comes along that seems to speak to you at the time you need to hear it the most. That is the case with Soul of a Citizen."—Jackson MS Clarion-Ledger