Synopses & Reviews
Ideas, images, and actions to change our children's future--with contributions by household names and everyday heroes * Hope and change were the themes of Barack Obama's historic presidential campaign, but long after his 100-day honeymoon period has ended, America and the world will be faced with the daunting task of translating this stirring sentiment into reality. ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDEST is designed to be a starting point in this process--namely, by helping us keep our generational promise to leave the world a better place than we inherited. Harnessing the cumulative power of ideas, images, and actions, it draws attention to some of the major issues facing this and future generations of children, ranging from childhood obesity to climate change. Most importantly, it sets forth workable ideas on how to address them. ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDEST delves to the heart of thirty-one issues critical to the well-being of the next generation, with evocative, award-winning photographs; articulate and accessible essays; and attainable, ambitious ideas for action. The contributors--who span all walks of life and fields of work--are not just limited to well-known celebrities, authors, and experts but also include everyday American heroes who have overcome their own personal challenges to make a difference in the lives of youth in their community. These range from a survivor of the Columbine School shooting to a mother on food stamps fighting for more nutritious food options in her neighborhood. Each chapter pairs a poignant photograph from award-winning photographers with a thousand-word essay--and closes with a one-page call to action that gives readers practical advice on how to become involved today in effecting change in their own homes and communities and on the national level. Readers are also invited to visit shareyourlegacy.org, an online community where they can share their own ideas, images, and recommended actions. Actions speak louder than words, Mark Twain once said, but seldom ever do. This book holds open the prospect that our actions will indeed speak louder in our time. Featuring inspiring contributions from 35 committed world citizens, including: * President Jimmy Carter* Bill McKibben* Mia Hamm* Newt Gingrich* Robert Coles* Her Majesty Queen Noor* Jeffrey Sachs* Rachael Ray* Dave Eggers* Jeffrey B. Swartz* Senator Tom Harkinand more
Synopsis
A collection of photos, one-thousand word essays, and calls to action on the compelling issues of our day, to leave the world a better place for the next generation. Contributions by high profile, concerned citizens as Jimmy Carter, Mia Hamm, Rachael Ray, Robert Coles, Queen Noor, Sen. Tom Harkin, Bill McKibben, Robert Putnam, Newt Gingrich, Juan Williams, Donovan McNabb, Joe Torre, and more.
Synopsis
A collection of photos, 1,000-word essays, and calls-to-action on the compelling issues of our day, to leave the world a better place for the next generation, this compendium features contributions by high-profile, concerned citizens including Jimmy Carter, Mia Hamm, Rachael Ray, and others.
Synopsis
Hope and change were the themes of Barack Obama’s historic presidential campaign, but America and the world are now faced with the daunting task of translating this stirring sentiment into reality. With contributions from thirty-five
committed world citizens, the book in your hands is a starting point to help keep our generational promise to leave this world a better place than we inherited. By combining powerful ideas, images, and actions, it draws attention to some of the major issues facing this and future generations, ranging from childhood obesity to climate change. Most importantly, it sets forth workable ways to make a difference in your home, your community, and the greater world.
Actions Speak Loudest delves into the heart of thirty-two issues critical to the well-being of the next generation, with evocative, award-winning photographs; articulate and accessible essays; and attainable, ambitious ideas for action. The contributors—who span all walks of life and fields of work—are not just limited to well-known celebrities, authors, and experts but also include everyday American heroes who have overcome their own personal challenges to make a difference in the lives of youth in their community. Readers are invited to visit actionsspeakloudest.org, an online community where they can share their own ideas and recommended actions.
“Actions speak louder than words,” Mark Twain once said, “but seldom ever do.” This book holds open the prospect that our actions will indeed speak louder in our time.
Synopsis
Ideas, images, and actions to change our children’s future—
with contributions by household names and everyday heroes
Throughout my life I have witnessed ordinary Americans involved in extraordinary acts of service. Collectively, these individual acts build momentum and become a movement for lasting change. I encourage everyone who reads these pages to think about how you can do something big or small to make a difference in your house, on your block, in your community, or throughout the world.—Alma Powell, Chair, America’s Promise Alliance
Actions Speak Loudest is a unique user’s guide to making a change. The photographs themselves are inspirational. Together with the essays and the “action” guides, they create a starting point for lifting the American spirit and stirring people to take a risk, make a sacrifice. The key idea is to shift the pessimism found in the poll numbers that suggest Americans are getting comfortable with the idea that our children will not have a better life than the current generation.
If you have this book in your hand you are a dangerous American. You have a tool for radical action to make our great country even greater for the greatest gift—our children.
—from the Foreword by Juan Williams
About the Author
Robert McKinnon is founder and president of YELLOWBRICKROAD, a company that designs social change through programming, communications, advocacy, and action. YELLOWBRICKROAD works on issues ranging from childhood obesity to climate change. McKinnon is proud to have partnered with change makers within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the International Olympic Committee, the Boys Club of New York, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and many other organizations to help millions of Americans overcome obstacles on their way to a healthier and happier life.
Juan Williams, one of America’s leading political commentators and writers, is a News Analyst for National Public Radio and a political commentator for Fox News Channel. He is the author of several best-sellers including, Eyes on the Prize – America’s Civil Rights Years; Thurgood Marshall – American Revolutionary and Enough – The Phony Leaders and Dead End Movements and Culture of Failure Undermining Black America and What We Can Do About It.