From Booklist
Democracy, Lapp{‚}e and Du Bois argue, can solve real-life problems and "bring new meaning and effectiveness into our lives [if it] becomes not simply what we have, but what we do." In their accessible, emphatically interactive volume, they challenge debilitating myths about democracy, public life, self-interest, and power; describe experiments in practical democratic problem solving at work--in the media, in human services, in government, and in education; and discuss the one-on-one skills (active listening, creative conflict, mediation, and negotiation) and the skills for use in group settings (political imagination, public dialogue, public judgment, celebration and appreciation, evaluation and reflection, and mentoring) that are essential elements in building a "culture of democracy." In the face of widespread doubt and despair about the future, The Quickening of America offers the encouraging suggestion that, with little fanfare, "regular Americans are applying the lessons we all need to learn in order to create the lives we want . . . and a country that works." Mary Carroll
Review
``I highly recommAnd Quickening as an extremely useful and practical guide. It reaffirms that personal and social change are intertwined; that each of us counts; that our lives do make a difference; and that, through involvement and by developing our skills, we can make an even greater difference.'' (ReverAnd Jesse L. Jackson, president and founder, National Rainbow Coalition)
"An antidote to cynicism ... an essential 'how-to' manual for anyone interested in translating values into positive results." (Ben Cohen, Ben & Jerry's)
"One of the few truly optimistic books about the state of the country today. The book is as much a storehouse of life-changing ideas that work as a you-take-charge manual on how to understand economics, power, teamwork, the media, corporate strategies and 'living demoncracy.'"
"In their accessible, emphatically interactive volume, Lappea and Du Bois challenge debilitating myths about democracy, public life, self-interest, and power; discuss the one-on-one skills (active listening, creative conflict, mediation, and negotiation) and the skills for use in group settings (political imagination, public dialogue, public judgment, celebration and appreciation, evaluation and reflection, and mentoring) that are essential elements in building a 'culture of democracy.'"
``The Quickening of America is as urgent and important as any book published in yearsbut, unlike many, it is also of real use to ordinary people.'' (Jonathon Kozol, author of Savage Inequalities)
``Fascinating stories and insights from Americans who are learning that democracy is about much more than what happens in Washington. Lappea and Du Bois reveal a new practice of democracy as citizen problem solvingin our schools, communities, and workplaces. A powerful antidote to despairhard hitting yet hopeful.'' (Henry Cisneros, secretary, Department of Housing and Urban Development)
``In The Quickening of America I learned how to movewith power, effectiveness, and good humorbeyond self-imposed limits.... We regular people can and must make history.'' (Randy Hayes, director, Rainforest Action Network)
``After years of listening to regular women and men at the grassroots, the authors have distilled hundreds of inspiring success stories into a unique `how-to' book, infusing the concepts of `democracy', `power', and `public life' with vibrant new meaning and challenging us to profoundly rethink our lives.'' (Fritjof Capra, founder and president, The Elmwood Institute, and author of The Tao of Physics)
``As an elected official who longs for more empowered citizens, I hope thousands of people will read this book, where they will discover again what hard work, but also what satisfying work, democracy can be.'' (Daniel Kemmis, mayor, City of Missoula, Montana)
``Lappea and Du Bois are chroniclers of changein the way we think about ourselves and the world in which we live.... [a] convincing and refreshing reaffirmation of the democratic process.'' (Patrick J. Leahy, senator, State of Vermont)
Book Description
I highly recommAnd Quickening as an extremely useful and practical guide. It reaffirms that personal and social change are intertwined; that each of us counts; that our lives do make a difference; and that, through involvement and by developing our skills, we can make an even greater difference. --ReverAnd Jesse L. Jackson, president and founder, National Rainbow CoalitionAn antidote to cynicism . . . an essential 'how-to' manual for anyone interested in translating values into positive results.--Ben Cohen, Ben & Jerry'sExploding the popular myths about public life, power, and self-interest that stop individuals from discovering the rewards of public involvement, this thoughtful resource offers practical advice from ordinary Americans on how to get more involved. Details guidelines anyone can use to master the skills required to be effective in public life.
From the Inside Flap
From national political campaigns to local community action groups, a grassroots approach to change is taking hold of America today. Ordinary citizens, driven by a desire to go beyond rhetoric and ideology and address problems in a direct, practical way, are changing the way we live, work, and govern ourselves. The Quickening of America reveals how this new approach to solving our problems is indeed working—in local government, education, the workplace, human services, and the media. The authors criss-crossed America in search of democracy in action and found moving stories of ordinary people coming together to make their institutions meet their needs. Exploding the popular myths about public life, power, and self-interest that stop individuals from discovering the rewards of public involvement, they offer practical advice from ordinary Americans on how to get more involved. They detail specific guidelines that anyone can use in mastering the skills—the 'arts of democracy' necessary to be effective in public life, including lessons on strengthening personal skills in speaking, listening, conflict resolution, and more. More than a book, this is a hands-on resource that is simply written, uses interactive devices throughout, and has a useful resource section at the And.
From the Back Cover
From national political campaigns to local community action groups, a grassroots approach to change is taking hold of America today. Ordinary citizens, driven by a desire to go beyond rhetoric and ideology and address problems in a direct, practical way, are changing the way we live, work, and govern ourselves. The Quickening of America reveals how this new approach to solving our problems is indeed working—in local government, education, the workplace, human services, and the media. The authors criss-crossed America in search of democracy in action and found moving stories of ordinary people coming together to make their institutions meet their needs.
About the Author
FRANCES MOORE LAPPE is the author or coauthor of numerous books, including the best-selling Diet for a Small Planet (1971). Her writings have appeared in publications as diverse as Harper's, The New York Times, and Reader's Digest. She is cofounder of the Institute for Food and Development Policy and lectures frequently on issues of democracy in action, food and hunger, and other important issues. PAUL MARTIN DU BOIS has authored two textbooks and over twenty articles, and has served on the faculty and as vice president of two colleges. Lappe and Du Bois are codirectors of the Center for Living Democracy.
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