Quickening of America

FRANCES MOORE LAPPE is the author or coauthor of numerous books, including the best-selling Diet for a Small Planet (1971). Her writings have appeared in publications as diverse as Harper's, The New York Times, and Reader's Digest. She is cofounder of the Institute for Food and Development Policy and lectures frequently on issues of democracy in action, food and hunger, and other important issues. PAUL MARTIN DU BOIS has authored two textbooks and over twenty articles, and has served on the faculty and as vice president of two colleges. Lappe and Du Bois are codirectors of the Center for Living Democracy.

``I highly recommAnd Quickening as an extremely useful andpractical guide. It reaffirms that personal and social change areintertwined; that each of us counts; that our lives do make adifference; and that, through involvement and by developing ourskills, we can make an even greater difference.'' (ReverAnd JesseL. Jackson, president and founder, National RainbowCoalition) "An antidote to cynicism ... an essential 'how-to' manual foranyone interested in translating values into positive results."(Ben Cohen, Ben & Jerry's) "One of the few truly optimistic books about the state of thecountry today. The book is as much a storehouse of life-changingideas that work as a you-take-charge manual on how to understandeconomics, power, teamwork, the media, corporate strategies and'living demoncracy.'" "In their accessible, emphatically interactive volume, Lappea andDu Bois challenge debilitating myths about democracy, public life,self-interest, and power; discuss the one-on-one skills (activelistening, creative conflict, mediation, and negotiation) and theskills for use in group settings (political imagination, publicdialogue, public judgment, celebration and appreciation, evaluationand reflection, and mentoring) that are essential elements inbuilding a 'culture of democracy.'" ``The Quickening of America is as urgent and important as any bookpublished in yearsbut, unlike many, it is also of real use toordinary people.'' (Jonathon Kozol, author of SavageInequalities) ``Fascinating stories and insights from Americans who are learningthat democracy is about much more than what happens in Washington.Lappea and Du Bois reveal a new practice of democracy as citizenproblem solvingin our schools, communities, and workplaces. Apowerful antidote to despairhard hitting yet hopeful.'' (HenryCisneros, secretary, Department of Housing and UrbanDevelopment) ``In The Quickening of America I learned how to movewith power,effectiveness, and good humorbeyond self-imposed limits.... Weregular people can and must make history.'' (Randy Hayes, director,Rainforest Action Network) ``After years of listening to regular women and men at thegrassroots, the authors have distilled hundreds of inspiringsuccess stories into a unique `how-to' book, infusing the conceptsof `democracy', `power', and `public life' with vibrant new meaningand challenging us to profoundly rethink our lives.'' (FritjofCapra, founder and president, The Elmwood Institute, and author ofThe Tao of Physics) ``As an elected official who longs for more empowered citizens, Ihope thousands of people will read this book, where they willdiscover 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 thinkabout ourselves and the world in which we live.... [a] convincingand refreshing reaffirmation of the democratic process.'' (PatrickJ. Leahy, senator, State of Vermont)

• OVERCOMING THE MYTHS THAT LIMIT US. 1. A Powerful New Concept for Effective Living. 2. We Each Have a Public Life. 3. Claiming Our Self-Interest (It's Not Selfishness). 4. Discovering Power (It's Not a Dirty Word). AMERICA COMING ALIVE: THE INVISIBLE REVOLUTION. 5. Our Jobs, Our Economy, and Our Lives. 6. Making the Media Our Voice. 7. From Client to Citizen. 8. Governing "By the People". 9. Educating Real-World Problem Solvers. LIVING DEMOCRACY: THE PRACTICAL TOOLS. 10. Mastering the Arts of Democracy: One-on-One Skills. 11. Mastering the Arts of Democracy: Group Skills. 12. Embracing the Democratic Self. 13. What, No Manifesto? Resources for Building a Living Democracy.