Soul of a Citizen: Living with Conviction in a Cynical Time

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.

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.

Soul of a Citizen explores what leads some people to get involved in larger community issues while others feel overwhelmed or uncertain; what it takes to maintain commitment for the long haul; and how involvement can give back a sense of connection and purpose rare in purely personal life. Writing in an engaging and evocative style, Loeb offers profound lessons: "Our efforts can do morefor ourselves and for the worldthan we may ever imagine. We don't have to become saintsor wait for the perfect situationto take action. Change happens little by little, step by step. We can savor the journey of engagement, even though our ultimate destination is unclear. The impact of our efforts will often ripple outward in ways we cannot predict."

At the heart of Soul of a Citizen are profiles of a broad range of people who have learned these lessons. They include:

A Maine housewife helps lead a path-breaking campaign finance reform initiative "so my kids won't grow up in a cynical world."

A Seattle environmental activist celebrates her hundredth birthday, still passionately involved. "You do what you can," she says. "Then you do some more."

A fisherman forges new links between environmentalists, fishermen and Native American tribes to restore Pacific salmon habitat. "It's draining to convince yourself you're powerless and swallow whatever's handed to you," he says. "You get a lot back when you work with a good group of people to take a stand."

An African American man serves seventeen years in the California prison system, then initiates a pioneering drug rehabilitation effort to give people "the support they need, in a language they can understand."

An eighth-grade dropout joins a community group in her San Antonio barrio, helps design an innovative job program and eventually testifies before the U.S. Senate. "The group found some spark in me," she recalls. "I never knew I had it."

Soul of a Citizen is a highly personable story of integrity and commitment, a testament to our often-unrealized ability to lead lives worthy of our convictions.

A teacher's guide to Soul of a Citizen is available at http://www.soulofacitizen.org/studyquestions.htm

"Soul of a Citizen was the common reader for over 2,500 students enrolled in [Kennesaw State University's] first-year seminar.  It introduced them to active community engagement, inspired countless service learning and advocacy projects (from literacy programs to a gay rights effort and an NRA-backed concealed weapons initiative), and strengthened their campus and community connections."Jim Davis, Chair, First-year Book Committee, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw Georgia

"We taught Soul of a Citizen in our Leadership and Identity class in our residential college. The book really stimulated students' self-motivation to become social-change agents. Most haven't learned to see themselves in this role. Soul of a Citizen sparked wonderful discussions and helped the students look at themselves in a different light. It gave them a sense of who they could become and what they could achieve."Peter Clecak, Professor of Sociology, and Arnecia Bryant, Campus Village Housing Office, University of California, Irvine

"I have used Soul of a Citizen for the last two years with students taking our new required course on citizenship and social change. Theyve really been enthusiastic about the book. Loebs stories of citizen engagement, coupled with his insightful commentary, help them get beyond a personal, individualistic searching for meaning and happiness. Its really inspired students whove done service with groups like Habitat for Humanity and Sierra club, and one who even did her Mission trip (she's Mormon) in the Ukraine last year. Soul of a Citizen challenges students to see that they can find meaningful living by working for the common good and living a life of community."Melinda Dukes, Professor of Psychology, Tusculum College, Greenville, Tennessee

"Too often, academic study leads students to doubt that their ideas and actions matter. Soul of a Citizen taught my students that ordinary people can and do change the world. They said it was the first book in their four years at school that gave them hope."Jane Rinehart, Sociology & Womens Studies, Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington

"I teach Soul of a Citizen in a freshman composition class: Writing and Research, a service-learning course for students admitted through our Academic Opportunity program for students not regularly admissible. Loebs book works as a great rhetorical model, and inspires my students in what is, for many, their first step into the social arena. As they conduct primary and secondary research into the problems of homelessness, illiteracy, and hunger, Loebs book reminds them that solutions to such huge systemic problems start with small actions by people like themselves."Kathleen Dale, Senior Lecturer, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

"Ive been teaching Soul of a Citizen with great results in a general education course geared to first year students. Economists are rediscovering society and the importance of social norms. Loebs book provides students with a tangible sense of how they can participate in the construction of society, along with inspiring examples and models to guide them."Professor