Synopses & Reviews
In the 1830s the French writer Alexis de Tocqueville came to the United States to chronicle the character of this new nation. In Democracy in America he defined and described the "habits of the heart" that vitalized the experiment called America. De Tocqueville found many contradictory qualities in those early Americans and wrote about them with insight. The questions of who we are as Americans and how we are living out the dreams and hopes of our founders are still very much alive for us today.
Deepening the American Dream offers a collection of reflections on the spiritual meaning of being American in today's world from some of our most respected thinkers: Gerald May, Jacob Needleman, Elaine Pagels, Robert Inchausti, Parker Palmer, and others. Deepening the American Dream explores the inner life of democracy, the way citizens are formed, and considers the spiritual aspects of the American dream?life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. With original essays from distinguished writers and thinkers, this important work examines the American dream and gives us a deeper understanding of who we are now and what our dreams and aspirations are today.
Of the many sources of American resiliency, the deepest is our ability to seek, listen, and synthesize the many into the one, the many into what will serve the common good. Despite the differences and perceived animosity between our major political parties, citizens are hungry for honest conversations in which we can clarify who we are as a nation and as a people. Deepening the American Dream offers all Americans thoughtful consideration of the spiritual aspects of our common dream.
Review
“
Reading through the essays collected in this book is a feast for the citizen as well as a feast for the soul.”-- From the Foreword by Robert Bellah
“This important book brings together some of the most creative thinkers in the nation to look beyond the troublesome reality of our time and to imagine a bold new way of thinking and living. It challenges us to cross the boundaries that keep us apart, and points, inspiringly, to a future that unites us with all human beings. As editor, Mark Nepo conveys the poetry, grace, and wisdom of his earlier work.”-- Howard Zinn, author, A People's History of the United States, and coauthor (with Anthony Arnove), Voices Of A People's History Of The United States
Synopsis
When we talk about the American dream, we usually mean life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, but dream also connotes another kind of reality, one that may be driving much of what we do, think, and feel but which may be unacknowledged. In all the voluminous writings about America, about our history, our governance, our problems, our people, and our root cultures, one essential set of questions goes begging: how does the inner life of mind and spirit impact the outer life of action and participation in the world?
By collecting essays from distinguished thinkers and writers into one volume, DEEPENING THE AMERICAN DREAM encourages reflection on the American dream: What is it? Whose is it? How does it relate to the rest of the world and to those dreaming other dreams? What exactly are its spiritual components and how do they transcend the purely personal? How do they translate into our lives in community?
Synopsis
What Is the Spiritual Meaning of Being American
"Reading through the essays collected in this book is afeast for the citizen as well as a feast for the soul."
From the Foreword by ROBERT N. BELLAH
"This important book brings together some of the most creativethinkers in the nation to look beyond the troublesome reality of ourtime and to imagine a bold new way of thinking and living. It challenges us to cross the boundaries that keep us apart, and points, inspiringly, to a future that unites us with all human beings. As editor, Mark Nepo conveys thepoetry, grace, and wisdom of his earlier work."
HOWARD ZINN, author, A People's History of the United States,and coauthor (with Anthony Arnove),Voices of a People's History of the United States
Deepening the American Dream offers a stellar collection of original essays from distinguished writers and thinkers who reflect on the American dream of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness: What is it? Whose is it? How does it relate to the rest of the world and to those dreaming other dreams? The contributors include
David M. Abshire
Robert N. Bellah
Carolyn T. Brown
Charles Gibbs
Theodore M. Hesburgh
Robert Inchausti
Gerald G. May
Jacob Needleman
Mark Nepo
Elaine H. Pagels
Parker J. Palmer
Synopsis
Deepening the American Dream offers a collection of reflections on the spiritual meaning of being American in today’s world from some of our most respected thinkers: Gerald May, Jacob Needleman, Elaine Pagels, Robert Inchausti, Parker Palmer, and others. Deepening the American Dream explores the inner life of democracy, the way citizens are formed, and considers the spiritual aspects of the American dream¾life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. With original essays from distinguished writers and thinkers, this important work examines the American dream and gives us a deeper understanding of who we are now and what our dreams and aspirations are today.
About the Author
Mark Nepo, a distinguished poet and writer, is the author of The Book of Awakening (2000), a One Spirit Book Club selection, finalist for the 2000 Books for a Better Life Award, and one of Spirituality and Health magazine's Best Spiritual Books of 2000. His most recent book is The Exquisite Risk: Daring to Live an Authentic Life (2005) which Spirituality and Health magazine has cited as "one of the best books we've ever read on what it takes to live an authentic life." He is a program officer for the Fetzer Institute.