Deepening the American Dream: Reflections on the Inner Life and Spirit of Democracy [Hardcover]

Mark Nepo (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0787977373 | ISBN-13: 978-0787977375 | Publication Date: September 16, 2005 | Edition: 1

Deepening the American Dream offers a collection of reflections on the spiritual meaning of being American in today’s world from some of our most respected thinkers: Gerald May, Jacob Needleman, Elaine Pagels, Robert Inchausti, Parker Palmer, and others. Deepening the American Dream explores the inner life of democracy, the way citizens are formed, and considers the spiritual aspects of the American dream¾life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. With original essays from distinguished writers and thinkers, this important work examines the American dream and gives us a deeper understanding of who we are now and what our dreams and aspirations are today.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Reading through the essays collected in this book is a feast for the citizen as well as a feast for the soul.”-- From the Foreword by Robert Bellah

 

“This important book brings together some of the most creative thinkers in the nation to look beyond the troublesome reality of our time and to imagine a bold new way of thinking and living. It challenges us to cross the boundaries that keep us apart, and points, inspiringly, to a future that unites us with all human beings. As editor, Mark Nepo conveys the poetry, grace, and wisdom of his earlier work.”-- Howard Zinn, author, A People's History of the United States, and coauthor (with Anthony Arnove), Voices Of A People's History Of The United States

 

From the Inside Flap

In the 1830s the French writer Alexis de Tocqueville came to the United States to chronicle the character of this new nation. In Democracy in America he defined and described the "habits of the heart" that vitalized the experiment called America. De Tocqueville found many contradictory qualities in those early Americans and wrote about them with insight. The questions of who we are as Americans and how we are living out the dreams and hopes of our founders are still very much alive for us today.

Deepening the American Dream offers a collection of reflections on the spiritual meaning of being American in today's world from some of our most respected thinkers: Gerald May, Jacob Needleman, Elaine Pagels, Robert Inchausti, Parker Palmer, and others. Deepening the American Dream explores the inner life of democracy, the way citizens are formed, and considers the spiritual aspects of the American dream?life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. With original essays from distinguished writers and thinkers, this important work examines the American dream and gives us a deeper understanding of who we are now and what our dreams and aspirations are today.

Of the many sources of American resiliency, the deepest is our ability to seek, listen, and synthesize the many into the one, the many into what will serve the common good. Despite the differences and perceived animosity between our major political parties, citizens are hungry for honest conversations in which we can clarify who we are as a nation and as a people. Deepening the American Dream offers all Americans thoughtful consideration of the spiritual aspects of our common dream.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (September 16, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787977373
• ISBN-13: 978-0787977375
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,566,254 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)