Community: The Structure of Belonging (Hardcover)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: stuck community, margin into the center, restorative community, The Alchemy of Belonging, The Fabric of Community, Gifts Conversations (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Modern society is plagued by fragmentation. The various sectors of our communities--businesses, schools, social service organizations, churches, government--do not work together. They exist in their own worlds. As do so many individual citizens, who long for connection but end up marginalized, their gifts overlooked, their potential contributions lost. This disconnection and detachment makes it hard if not impossible to envision a common future and work towards it together. We know what healthy communities look like--there are many success stories out there, and they've been described in detail. What Block provides in this inspiring new book is an exploration of the exact way community can emerge from fragmentation: How is community built? How does the transformation occur? What fundamental shifts are involved? He explores a way of thinking about our places that creates an opening for authentic communities to exist and details what each of us can do to make that happen.

From the Publisher

Praise for Peter Block's
Community: The Structure of Belonging

"From the person who gave us the best book written on business stewardship comes the best book on how to transform the places where we live, work, and play into authentic, effective communities. Some of Peter Block's conclusions may surprise you, but this compelling book is a must for all who love the places we call home enough to rethink our approach to building and maintaining community."
--Dennis Bakke, CEO, Imagine Schools, Cofounder and CEO Emeritus, AES Corporation, and author of Joy at Work

"Every earnest public servant, every volunteer, every disillusioned citizen, every civic leader, and every community activist or businessperson who truly want to make their communities better should read this book. It can serve as a guide or manual, but Community at its heart is a book of questions, and Peter gently and persistently reminds us that we are the answers."
--James Keene, President, Alliance for Innovation and Western Director, International City/County Management Association

"In this wonderfully practical book, Peter Block defines the nature of a community with manageable dimensions, creative directions, and hopeful possibilities. His methods lead us to a restoration of the joy of a genuine common life."
--John McKnight, Professor of Education and Social Policy, and Codirector, Asset-Based Community Development Institute, Northwestern University

"Peter Block clearly identifies the essential ingredients, qualities, questions, atmosphere. and actions needed to create and build vital communities filled with possibility, generosity, accountability, and deep engagement. Outstanding in its relevance, practicality, and clarity."
--Angeles Arrien, PhD, cultural anthropologist and author of The Second Half of Life: Opening the Eight Gates of Wisdom

"This book is more than practical advice on execution of theory; it is a spiritual primer for the building up of community and transforming hope that we so desperately need in today's world. Peter has touched us once again in that place we call `soul'".
--Clint Kemp, Founding Pastor, New Providence Community Church

"Peter's work has become the cornerstone of how our police department has developed over the years. What we have pleasantly discovered is that the more our capacity grows to work in partnership with each other, the more our capacity to serve our community is enhanced."
--Michael Butler, Chief of Police, Longmont, Colorado

"After being engaged for many years with transformations in the U.S., Latin America, and Africa, it is exciting to find a practical and deep methodology that integrates great ideas and points at new applications. Peter's book is critical for anyone concerned about reenergizing the quality of life in our workplaces and in our communities."
--Steve Zaffron, CEO, the Vanto Group, a Landmark Education Company

See all Editorial Reviews

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Product Details Hardcover: 240 pages Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers; First Edition first Printing edition (May 1, 2008) Language: English ISBN-10: 1576754871 ISBN-13: 978-1576754870 Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6 x 1.2 inches Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #22,981 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in this category: (What's this?) #35 in  Books > Professional & Technical > Business Management > Organizational Behavior

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Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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Inside This Book (learn more)

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
stuck community, margin into the center, restorative community, communal possibility, communal transformation, political suffering, transforming community

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
The Alchemy of Belonging, The Fabric of Community, Gifts Conversations, The End of Unnecessary Suffering, Christopher Alexander, Phoenix Place, Designing Physical Space That Supports Community, Werner Erhard, Questions Are More Transforming Than Answers, The Transforming Community, Kathie Dannemiller, The Restorative Community, Jane Jacobs, Peter Koestenbaum, Leadership Is Convening, Bringing Hospitality, Taking Back Our Projections, Allan Cohen, Democratic Party

Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	95% buy the item featured on this page: Community: The Structure of Belonging 4.6 out of 5 stars (27) $17.79
	1% buy Theory U: Leading from the Future as It Emerges 4.8 out of 5 stars (17) $26.05
	1% buy The Answer to How Is Yes: Acting on What Matters 4.5 out of 5 stars (18) $12.89
	1% buy The World Cafe: Shaping Our Futures Through Conversations That Matter 4.7 out of 5 stars (32) $15.61

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Customer Reviews

27 Reviews 5 star:  (22) 4 star:  (3) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:  (2)           Average Customer Review 4.6 out of 5 stars (27 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 19 of 22 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars This book matters, May 6, 2008 By  Gary E. Petersen (Pacific Grove, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    Community: the Structure of Belonging is the most important book Peter Block has written and the most important book you are likely to read this year. The book is incredibly clear, profoundly important and perfectly timed. This book is Peter's masterwork and a culmination of the important thinking he has so carefully articulated in his other classics The Empowered Manager, Stewardship and The Flawless Consultant. While others bemoan the state of our communities, the decline of our cities and the failure of institutions Peter has been thinking about "restoration" and "reweaving" of the social fabric and has defined a clear process for creating a future that we would all like to be part of. This easy to read book has something for everyone. The theories and strategies underlying the thinking are compelling and comprehensive. The list of resources in the back of the book will lead you to people and organizations that are actively involved in building communities. The structure of the book provides easy access to the many layers of useful information including a full summary of the book added as an appendix. What is most powerful about this book though are the clearly defined questions which result in conversations that are capable of transforming the nature of human systems. These conversations change our thinking about how we relate to each other, how we understand the notion of belonging and how we encourage the bringing of our collective gifts into our communities. This book challenges us to become the citizens that we need to be to create the communities we want to live in. In this time in which we live it is hard for me to imagine something more important than that. 8 of 8 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Required reading for community transformation, May 8, 2008 By  H. Mason (Louisville, KY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    I believe this book is a must-read for those of us who work to transform community: It gives us a common language for talking about what makes community transformation different from human service/government planning and programs. It integrates many important strands of transformation thinking, making transformation feel more accessible. It helps us see what transformation looks like and connects that vision to concrete practice. Community: The Structure of Belonging is divided into two sections. The first is titled The Fabric of Community and is for me what makes this book so important. In this section Peter provides the "why" and the "what" of community transformation. (Those of us who normally skip straight to the "how" should read Peter's previous book, The Answer to How is Yes.) In this section, we learn to not continue repeating the program, system, service problem solving that keeps us from really restoring community. We learn what transformation is, what it means to be a citizen. If we really get the message of this section, we start to BE community transformer, not just DO community building. The second section is The Alchemy of Belonging. This is the tool kit for doing community transformation. Convening, invitation, small groups, forming the questions, holding the conversations of possibility, ownership, dissent commitment and gifts are covered here. This section expands the information that has been available on Peter's website that was developed and used in Cincinnati by A Small Group (as in Margaret Mead's axiom, "Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world. In fact it is the only thing that ever has.") In the back are two extra gifts: Book at a Glance, a 10-page sentence outline of the entire book, and Role Models and Resources, which expands the concept of an annotated bibliography and offers countless opportunities for further reading and learning. The gift of this book is a strong set of principles and usable instructions for restoring community. The challenge is to our willingness to stop what we are doing and learn what will lead us to the communities we desire. 7 of 7 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Peter Block Has Really Outdone Himself With This One!, May 29, 2008 By  Kye B. Wood (Cincinnati, Ohio) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    Peter Block's new book Community really has a wealth of information about creating a healthyenvironment based on a structure that's not only innovative, but grounded in an easily adoptable format. This isn't just a consulting book, or "how to" book it has something that will appeal to anyone trying to create a sense of belonging. This book is a culmination of what Peter seems to have been building up to for years. If you're a fan of Peter's work then you probably already have this one, but if your new to Peter Block and his style this is actually a great place to start. Read Community and enjoy!		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 4.0 out of 5 stars thoughtful The author presents some radical ideas about community building. I found myself absorbed in understanding how to change my thinking about communities. Read more Published 20 days ago by Ernest Duncan 4.0 out of 5 stars A Synthesis of Activist Views on Grass Roots Change "Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed." -- Psalm 85:10 One of my favorite sayings is that "the best help is self-help. Read more Published 27 days ago by Professor Donald Mitchell 5.0 out of 5 stars Community: The Structure of Belonging Very helpful in understanding how to make lasting changes within organizations. Very thoughtful and encouraging. Published 2 months ago by Michelle N. Rassler 5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Reading This is the best book I have read on Community Building. It is in my view essential reading for anyone involved in community work. Read more Published 2 months ago by Newlife 1.0 out of 5 stars In real life, Peter actually is very destructive toward the disenfranchised As usual, this book by Peter Block blocks the reality that his actual work in his self-appointed "home" community of Cincinnati further marginalizes the voices of the... Read more Published 7 months ago by The Real Block 5.0 out of 5 stars Masterpiece I've had the good fortune of working with the author in the past, so I knew what to expect in this book. Read more Published 8 months ago by David Shechtman 1.0 out of 5 stars Surrealistic mumbo-jumbo ... with an intense (though implicit) focus on young African-American gangstas. Wishful thinking wrapped up in standard "consultant-speak" almost New Age like. Read more Published 8 months ago by Anti-Platonist 4.0 out of 5 stars A handbook of anti-leadership I think of this book as a handbook for anti-leadership. Part of Block's thesis is that top down leadership and massive, structural programs are not effective. Read more Published 8 months ago by Rocket Creature 5.0 out of 5 stars Making each gathering an example of the future we wish to create In COMMUNITY - The Structure of Belonging, Peter Block provides an articulation of community feelings, wants and beliefs many of us have felt inside but haven't always had words... Read more Published 11 months ago by R. B. Weeks 5.0 out of 5 stars Community is just what is needed Peter Block latest work is just what is needed it today's changing times. Read this book and you will begin to see how community affects the way you live, work, and can enrich... Read more Published 12 months ago by Reuben Rail Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers; First Edition first Printing edition (May 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1576754871
• ISBN-13: 978-1576754870
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #22,981 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #35 in

  Books > Professional & Technical > Business Management > Organizational Behavior

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book matters, May 6, 2008

By	Gary E. Petersen (Pacific Grove, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Community: the Structure of Belonging is the most important book Peter Block has written and the most important book you are likely to read this year. The book is incredibly clear, profoundly important and perfectly timed.

This book is Peter's masterwork and a culmination of the important thinking he has so carefully articulated in his other classics The Empowered Manager, Stewardship and The Flawless Consultant. While others bemoan the state of our communities, the decline of our cities and the failure of institutions Peter has been thinking about "restoration" and "reweaving" of the social fabric and has defined a clear process for creating a future that we would all like to be part of.

This easy to read book has something for everyone. The theories and strategies underlying the thinking are compelling and comprehensive. The list of resources in the back of the book will lead you to people and organizations that are actively involved in building communities. The structure of the book provides easy access to the many layers of useful information including a full summary of the book added as an appendix.

What is most powerful about this book though are the clearly defined questions which result in conversations that are capable of transforming the nature of human systems. These conversations change our thinking about how we relate to each other, how we understand the notion of belonging and how we encourage the bringing of our collective gifts into our communities.

This book challenges us to become the citizens that we need to be to create the communities we want to live in. In this time in which we live it is hard for me to imagine something more important than that.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Required reading for community transformation, May 8, 2008

By	H. Mason (Louisville, KY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I believe this book is a must-read for those of us who work to transform community:

It gives us a common language for talking about what makes community transformation different from human service/government planning and programs.

It integrates many important strands of transformation thinking, making transformation feel more accessible.

It helps us see what transformation looks like and connects that vision to concrete practice.

Community: The Structure of Belonging is divided into two sections. The first is titled The Fabric of Community and is for me what makes this book so important. In this section Peter provides the "why" and the "what" of community transformation. (Those of us who normally skip straight to the "how" should read Peter's previous book, The Answer to How is Yes.) In this section, we learn to not continue repeating the program, system, service problem solving that keeps us from really restoring community. We learn what transformation is, what it means to be a citizen. If we really get the message of this section, we start to BE community transformer, not just DO community building.

The second section is The Alchemy of Belonging. This is the tool kit for doing community transformation. Convening, invitation, small groups, forming the questions, holding the conversations of possibility, ownership, dissent commitment and gifts are covered here. This section expands the information that has been available on Peter's website that was developed and used in Cincinnati by A Small Group (as in Margaret Mead's axiom, "Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world. In fact it is the only thing that ever has.")

In the back are two extra gifts: Book at a Glance, a 10-page sentence outline of the entire book, and Role Models and Resources, which expands the concept of an annotated bibliography and offers countless opportunities for further reading and learning.

The gift of this book is a strong set of principles and usable instructions for restoring community. The challenge is to our willingness to stop what we are doing and learn what will lead us to the communities we desire.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Peter Block Has Really Outdone Himself With This One!, May 29, 2008

By	Kye B. Wood (Cincinnati, Ohio) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Peter Block's new book Community really has a wealth of information about creating a healthyenvironment based on a structure that's not only innovative, but grounded in an easily adoptable format. This isn't just a consulting book, or "how to" book it has something that will appeal to anyone trying to create a sense of belonging. This book is a culmination of what Peter seems to have been building up to for years. If you're a fan of Peter's work then you probably already have this one, but if your new to Peter Block and his style this is actually a great place to start. Read Community and enjoy!