The Quickening of America: Rebuilding Our Nation, Remaking Our Lives (Paperback)

by Frances Moore Lappe (Author), Paul Martin Du Bois (Author) "WELCOME TO A FRESH WAY OF THINKING about our lives..." (more)
Key Phrases: public problem solvers, citizen organizer, living democracy, New York, San Francisco, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

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)

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Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (March 18, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555426050
• ISBN-13: 978-1555426057
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #838,717 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An important guide to bringing about social change, July 24, 1999

By A Customer

"Quickening of America" is a terrific book which explains the whats and the how-tos of bringing about social change through Living Democracy.

Living Democracy is probably the best way to bring about changes in communities all over the world. "Quickening" gives examples of how successful agencies brought about reforms and the methods they used, which could be replicated by any reform-minded individual or group.

"Quickening" is a must-read for any person or group who wants to bring about change.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars desire to see change in your community, read this, July 8, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Northern California) - See all my reviews

This is an urgent, important message for anyone who seeks change in the way their community works or the atmosphere, which exists in their hometown. In any community where change is occurring, leaders need to emerge willing to champion for the best use of resources and create an atmosphere of cooperation among diverse entities. This work assists in that process.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent - new ideas, August 10, 2005

By	Susan J. Lincke "An instructor" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book describes a new way of thinking about getting involved in the community and describes new techniques for achieving better relationships in employment, government, community. As a teacher I very much appreciate the book and will bring what I learn into the classroom.