These are indeed cynical times. But to hide behind the smugness of cynicism is a kind of self-imposed death sentence, explains writer and social commentator Paul Loeb. In fact, now is the ideal time for gathering all our strengths and wisdom as spiritual beings and applying ourselves to shaping a better world, he claims.

Are we talking social activism here? Well, yes. But before you cringe from images of shrill, humorless, burned out activists, keep in mind that Loeb is talking about a new kind of activism--an exciting, spiritual model for creating social change. We don't have to be pious or martyred saints (as he explains throughout one chapter), starving ourselves in the name of a cause or staging protests in freezing rain. We can be "good enough" activists, assuming the task of helping 10 people in need rather than taking on the globe. We can remember the power of storytelling when convincing an audience, rather than angrily spewing scary facts. We can replenish ourselves so that we do not burn out. We can emphasize themes such as community and forgiveness rather than separatism and blame.

This is a deeply spiritual book, but make no mistake: Loeb's writing, research, and integrity are as solid as they come. Soul of a Citizen may well become The Handbook for activism at the turn of the century. --Gail Hudson


From Publishers Weekly
Informed by his lifelong participation in peace, justice and environmental causes, Loeb (Generation at the Crossroads, etc.) offers Americans a new vision for personal engagement with societal issues. A Seattle-based scholar, he eloquently argues for a return to community involvement and social activism, which, he says, have declined since the 1960s and 70s. He gently chides former activists lost to private pursuits, fatigue and cynicism and warns of increasing social isolation and the widening opportunity gap between rich and poor, despite our robust economy. Throughout, Loeb emphasizes the psychological and spiritual importance of the human connection. Believing that personal stories, not politics, capture peoples attention, he seamlessly weaves in inspiring examples of unexpected heroism in ordinary people and successful activism. One such example is 100-year-old Hazel Wood, the grandmother of the environmental movement, who championed neighborhood, day care, economic inequity and pollution issues. Loeb challenges all citizens to take action on their concerns and suggests an activist model for our times, stressing a Zen-like satisfaction in the journey. Even readers who disagree with his liberal politics will find compassion, intelligence and thought-provoking wisdom here. Agent, Geri Thoma of the Elaine Markson Agency; $100,000 ad/promo; first serial to Redbook, Modern Maturity and Parents; 16-city author tour. Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Loeb, author of several books of social commentary, recommends that we choose civic involvement over private isolation in every instance, for if we do, we will be better people and our communities will be better places to liveAhardly earth-shattering news, but maybe this reader has succumbed to the kind of cynicism Loeb bemoans. While the many stories of individuals who have successfully engaged in community action are ennobling, the book offers no stories of people with conviction who failed in their civic endeavors; nor is there a sustained and thorough examination of the causes of the decline in civic participation. While America's democracy is clearly enhanced by individual acts of civic involvement, it would also greatly benefit from large infusions of voters on election day, an issue Loeb ignores. Loeb's purpose is to inspire his readers to get over their cynicism and get involved; those seeking answers to the problems of contemporary democracy should start with de Tocqueville's Democracy in America. For public libraries.AThomas J. Baldino, Wilkes Univ., Wilkes-Barre, PA Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Social scholar and lecturer Loeb argues that Americans, nurtured on a steady diet of cynicism, see themselves as powerless to effect social change. They're also hampered by a national pragmatism that values work and money over the seemingly whimsical--such as social activism. However, Loeb presents the lives of many who have tried, anyway--and succeeded. He writes about the woman from Texas who stood up to city government to get her impoverished neighborhood its fair share of public funding. And the California man who pulled himself out of a destructive morass of drugs and crime, then opened a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center to help ex-cons get their lives straight. But no rose-colored glasses here: Loeb is well aware of the personal and cultural obstacles facing those who aspire to make the world a better place. Still, he convincingly affirms the human ability to create positive change. Brian McCombie


Review
"I stayed up half the night reading Soul of a Citizen, finding it a beautiful and morally transcendent work. Paul Loeb is a personal hero of mine who gives decency and generosity a political character, in the humblest of ways." --Jonathan Kozal

"Soul of a Citizen helps us find the faith we need to act on our deepest beliefs-and keep on." --Marian Wright Edelman, president, Children's Defense Fund

"Compassion, intelligence, and thought-provoking wisdom...A new vision for personal engagement with societal issues." --Publishers Weekly (starred review)



Review
"I stayed up half the night reading Soul of a Citizen, finding it a beautiful and morally transcendent work. Paul Loeb is a personal hero of mine who gives decency and generosity a political character, in the humblest of ways." --Jonathan Kozal "Soul of a Citizen helps us find the faith we need to act on our deepest beliefs-and keep on." --Marian Wright Edelman, president, Children's Defense Fund "Compassion, intelligence, and thought-provoking wisdom...A new vision for personal engagement with societal issues." --Publishers Weekly (starred review)


Book Description
Soul of a Citizen awakens within us the desire and the ability to make our voices heard and our actions count. We can lead lives worthy of our convictions.

A book of inspiration and integrity, Soul of a Citizen is an antidote to the twin scourges of modern life-powerlessness and cynicism. In his evocative style. Paul Loeb tells moving tells moving stories of ordinary Americans who have found unexpected fulfillment in social involvement. Through their example and Loeb's own wise and powerful lessons, we are compelled to move from passivity to participation. The reward of our action, we learn, is nothing less than a sense of connection and purpose not found in a purely personal life.



From the Publisher
Informed by his lifelong participation in peace, justice, and environmental causes, Loeb offers Americans a new vision for personal engagement with societal issues. A Seattle-based scholar, he eloquently argues for a return to community involvement and social activism which, he says, have declined since the 1960s and 1970s. He gently chides former activists lost to private pursuits, fatigue and cynicism, and warns of increasing social isolation and the widening opportunity gap between rich and poor, despite our robust economy. Throughout, Loeb emphasizes the psychological and spiritual importance of the human connection. Believing that personal stories, not politics, capture people's attention, he seamlessly weaves in inspiring examples of "unexpected heroism in ordinary people" and successful activism. One such example is 100-year-old Hazel Wolf, "the grandmother of the environmental movement," who championed neighborhood, daycare, economic inequity, and pollution issues. Loeb challenges all citizens to take action on their concerns and suggests an activist model for our times, stressing a zen-like satisfaction in the journey. Even readers who disagree with his liberal politics will find compassion, intelligence, and thought-provoking wisdom here. --Publishers Weekly


About the Author
Paul Rogat Loeb, an associated scholar at Seattle's Center for Ethical Leadership, is the author of Generation at the Crossroads, Hope in Hard Times, and Nuclear Culture. He comments regularly on social involvement for The New York Times, The Washington Post, Psychology Today, Utne Reader, CNN, NPR, and elsewhere.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A book of inspiration and integrity, Soul of a Citizen is an antidote to the twin scourges of modern life - powerlessness and cynicism. In his evocative style, reminiscent of Thomas Moore and M.Scott Peck, Paul Loeb tells moving stories of ordinary Americans who have found unexpected fulfillment in social involvement. Through their example and Loeb's own wise and powerful lessons, we are compelled to move from passivity to participation. The reward of our action, we learn, is nothing less than a sense of connection and purpose not found in a purely personal life.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Informed by his lifelong participation in peace, justice and environmental causes, Loeb (Generation at the Crossroads, etc.) offers Americans a new vision for personal engagement with societal issues. A Seattle-based scholar, he eloquently argues for a return to community involvement and social activism, which, he says, have declined since the 1960s and 70s. He gently chides former activists lost to private pursuits, fatigue and cynicism and warns of increasing social isolation and the widening opportunity gap between rich and poor, despite our robust economy. Throughout, Loeb emphasizes the psychological and spiritual importance of the human connection. Believing that personal stories, not politics, capture peoples attention, he seamlessly weaves in inspiring examples of unexpected heroism in ordinary people and successful activism. One such example is 100-year-old Hazel Wood, the grandmother of the environmental movement, who championed neighborhood, day care, economic inequity and pollution issues. Loeb challenges all citizens to take action on their concerns and suggests an activist model for our times, stressing a Zen-like satisfaction in the journey. Even readers who disagree with his liberal politics will find compassion, intelligence and thought-provoking wisdom here. Agent, Geri Thoma of the Elaine Markson Agency; $100,000 ad/promo; first serial to Redbook, Modern Maturity and Parents; 16-city author tour. (May)

Library Journal

Loeb, author of several books of social commentary, recommends that we choose civic involvement over private isolation in every instance, for if we do, we will be better people and our communities will be better places to live--hardly earth-shattering news, but maybe this reader has succumbed to the kind of cynicism Loeb bemoans. While the many stories of individuals who have successfully engaged in community action are ennobling, the book offers no stories of people with conviction who failed in their civic endeavors; nor is there a sustained and thorough examination of the causes of the decline in civic participation. While America's democracy is clearly enhanced by individual acts of civic involvement, it would also greatly benefit from large infusions of voters on election day, an issue Loeb ignores. Loeb's purpose is to inspire his readers to get over their cynicism and get involved; those seeking answers to the problems of contemporary democracy should start with de Tocqueville's Democracy in America. For public libraries.--Thomas J. Baldino, Wilkes Univ., Wilkes-Barre, PA Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Paul Hawken

A transformative book of courage and authenticity. If you have children, give it to them. If not, give it to your parents.

Howard Zinn

An essential book for anyone who wants to work for change.

Yoga Journal

A tour de force of engaged spirituality.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

Paul Hawken

A transformative book of courage and authenticity, Soul of a Citizen challenges the apathy of modern life. It sweeps away the disdain and cynicism that prevents us from changing ourselves and the world. If you have children, give it to them. If not, give it to your parents. — Author of The Ecology of Commerce

Paul Loeb is one of the finest spokespeople I know for a spiritually based citizen activism. This powerful and hopeful book is a must-read for people seeking to heal our country and the world. — Marianne Williamson

Rich, engaging, clearly written. An essential book for anyone who wants to work for change. Altogether, Loeb has done a wonderful job, producing a work that's rich with specific experience, not abstract theorizing. — Howard Zinn

Thoughtful and encouraging, Loeb offers a rich spirituality of citizenship for both experienced activists and those just wondering where to begin. -- (Jim Wallis, editor, Sojourners) — Jim Wallis

Soul of a Citizen helps us find the faith we need to act on our deepest beliefs--and keep on. As Paul Loeb eloquently shows through a chorus of diverse voices, when we connect with others it makes each of us more whole. If you care about a just future for all our children, read this book (Marian Wright Edelman is president, The Children's Defense Fund). — Marian Wright Edelman

Absolutely splendid--a tremendous resource, an activating presence, and, above all, a new way of being. This remarkable book is a triumph and very much a life work. — Jean Houston

'We must be the youngest species on Earth,' as Harlem environmental activist Bernadette Cozart puts it, 'because everything else seems to know what to do.' Soul of a Citizen helps teach us what to do (David Brower is former executive director, Sierra Club). — David Brower

Hopeful, compassionate, and powerfully written. — Grace Paley

The voices Loeb finds demonstrate that courage can be another name for love. — Alice Walker

Written with thought and conviction, Soul of a Citizen skillfully erases the seams between political and the personal. Loeb's eyes are wide open and his feet planted as he examines the roots of disengagement from community--economic disparity, job insecurity and a culture that values profit over people (John Sweeney is president, AFL-CIO). — John Sweeney

Like few other chroniclers today, Paul Loeb uncannily captures the thoughts and hopes, inchoate though they be, of America. Loeb is a natural. — Studs Terkel

Paul Loeb has been doing wonderfully patient work for some years now, exploring the American conscience from the inside. I regard Loeb as something of a national treasure. — Susan Sontag

If you are ready to serve as a wounded warrior in order to bring peace and healing to our planet, read this book and then join the battle. — Bernie Siegel