Street Saints: Renewing American Cities (Hardcover)

by Barbara J. Elliott (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Barbara Elliott has a genius for identifying America’s most effective faith-based healers of troubled souls and troubled neighborhoods." -- Adam Meyerson, President, The Philanthropy Roundtable

"Barbara Elliott is a hands-on hero." -- Bob Buford, author of Halftime and Finishing Well and founder of Leadership Network

"Barbara Elliott unites knowledge and eloquence, an all-too-rare combination." -- Marvin Olasky, University of Texas, Austin

"Street Saints powerfully portrays the difference that faith-based groups are making in the lives of those in need in America." -- Jim Towey, former legal counsel to Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Product Description
Street Saints is both a book of motivational stories about unsung heroes and a sociological study of the "faith factor," documenting faith-based programs that are treating social maladies in America. Based on eight years of hands-on experience and more than 300 interviews, Barbara Elliot takes readers on a tour of communities and institutions where faith-based initiatives are making a difference. She offers inspiration, role models, and guidelines for people who would like to give back to their own communities.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 356 pages
• Publisher: Templeton Press; 1 edition (September 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932031766
• ISBN-13: 978-1932031768
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #945,099 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If there is one book I could recommend..., November 5, 2004

By	Eric J. Swanson "Eric Swanson--Co-author of T... (Boulder, CO USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

In an extra-biblical epistle written in the middle of the second century the author, Mathetes, writing to his friend Diognetus penned these words: "In a word, what the soul is in a body, the Christians are in the world." In Street Saints Barbara Elliott has captured the soul of America's cities by shining the light on scores of people, programs and strategies that God is using to change lives and transform communities. If there was one book to recommend to those who wanted an overview of what God is doing in cities and were looking for inspiration, models and effective practitioners my recommendation would be this wonderful book.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good works in America's cities, October 28, 2004

By	Henry Berry "Henry Berry" (Southport, CT) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Founder of the Center for Renewal in Houston, Elliott was able to do over 300 interviews with persons who are leaders in successful civic organizations. Although their ethnic, social, and religious backgrounds vary widely, there is a common thread running though all the diverse activities--namely, improvement of urban life in general or some specific group in particular. And the many individuals Elliott portrays on the basis of her interviews do this with singular and exemplary imagination, commitment, and effectiveness. Elliott goes beyond only praising the individuals by uncovering their motivations and describing their work to also go into the founding of their programs, how the programs are run, their interactions with communities and government at different levels, and the keys to their survival and success. Thus, readers are given not only engaging portrayals of exemplary social activists, but also outlines of their innovative, relevant programs which can serve as models for ones in other urban centers.