Nearly every chapter contains a surprise about American religious life. Among them:

• Between one-third and one-half of all American marriages are interfaith;
• Roughly one-third of Americans have switched religions at some point in their lives;
• Young people are more opposed to abortion than their parents but more accepting of gay marriage;
• Even fervently religious Americans believe that people of other faiths can go to heaven;
• Religious Americans are better neighbors than secular Americans: more generous with their time and treasure even for secular causes—but the explanation has less to do with faith than with their communities of faith;
• Jews are the most broadly popular religious group in America today.

American Grace promises to be the most important book in decades about American religious life and an essential book for understanding our nation today.

Putnam gained prominence with his 2001 book Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community, which examined Americans' increasing isolation. To read more, click here: americangrace.org/



Be Not Afraid: An Alternative to the War on Terror
Long-time peace activist, Tom Cordaro, puts terrorism in a historical context and examines the story we are told to believe after 9/11. He outlines the creation of an alternate story linked to our Christian narrative. The book invites us to overcome the narrative of fear in our country and to embrace instead a narrative of hope and to play an active role in reclaiming our US story. (Includes an updated preface addressing the Obama administration.) Cordaro is a 30-year veteran of the faith-based peace and justice movement and currently serves as Justice and Outreach Minster for St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Naperville, IL. For more information, go to: http://ncronline.org/node/12948



The Better World Shopping Guide
Every dollar we spend is a vote for the world we want to live in. This book is a comprehensive, user-friendly guide for socially and environmentally conscious, responsible consumers. It represents a synthesis of over 20 years of research on human rights, the environment, animal protection, community involvement & social justice The book ranks 75 common types of products such as coffee, energy bars, cell phones, gasoline, clothing, fast food, cars and water on a scale from "A" to "F." For more information click here http://www.betterworldshopper.com/book.html





The Bottom Billion: Why the Poorest Countries are Failing and What Can Be Done About It
By Paul Collier
Global poverty, is actually falling quite rapidly for about eighty percent of the world. The real crisis lies in a group of about 50 failing states, the bottom billion, whose problems defy traditional approaches to alleviating poverty.

In The Bottom Billion, Collier contends that these fifty failed states pose the central challenge of the developing world in the twenty-first century. The book shines a much needed light on this group of small nations, largely unnoticed by the industrialized West, that are dropping further and further behind the majority of the world's people, often falling into an absolute decline in living standards. A struggle rages within each of these nations between reformers and corrupt leaders--and the corrupt are winning. Collier analyzes the causes of failure, pointing to a set of traps that snare these countries, including civil war, a dependence on the extraction and export of natural resources, and bad governance. Standard solutions do not work against these traps, he writes; aid is often ineffective, and globalization can actually make matters worse, driving development to more stable nations. What the bottom billion need, Collier argues, is a bold new plan supported by the Group of Eight industrialized nations. If failed states are ever to be helped, the G8 will have to adopt preferential trade policies, new laws against corruption, and new international charters, and even conduct carefully calibrated military interventions.

As former director of research for the World Bank and current Director of the Center for the Study of African Economies at Oxford University, Paul Collier has spent a lifetime working to end global poverty. In The Bottom Billion , he offers real hope for solving one of the great humanitarian crises facing the world today. To view a video of the author speaking about the book visit:
video.google.com/videosearch?hl=en&q=The+Bottom+Billion&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=3w9nSvCWOY_mlAfg07HdDA&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4#

Creating a World Without Poverty-Social Business and the Future of Capitalism
Grameen Foundation board member and Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus outlines his vision for a new business model that combines the power of free markets with the quest for a more humane world—and tells the inspiring stories of companies that are doing this work today. For more information visit www.grameenfoundation.org/yunus_book



Communities of Salt & Light: Reflections on the Social Mission of the Parish
In 1993 the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB) published this document to outline the role and responsibility of parishes in promoting the social teaching of the church. It includes the following topics:

• United States Conference of Catholic Bishops daily readings and lectionary from the New American Bible
  www.usccb.org/nab
  
  
• Bread for the World Lectionary Reflections
  www.bread.org/what-we-do/resources/preacher/lectionary
  
  
• Education for Justice Lectionary Reflections
  www.educationforjustice.org/resources/type/lectionary-reflections
  
  
• The Upper Room (United Methodist daily devotional)
  www.upperroom.org/daily/?m=201004
  
  
• The Witness offers a regular series from the Sunday readings in the Episcopal/Anglican common lectionary: www.thewitness.org/reflections.php?o=0&l=15&tid
  
  
• Also, Barbara Born, a JustFaith graduate from the Los Angeles Diocese, has  "bulletin-size" lectionary reflections each month.  Contact her at navigatetocreativity@webtv.net
  

Let Them In: The Case for Open Borders
by Jason L. Riley. Discusses why immigration is essential for keeping America strong. Riley is a member of the Wall Street Journal Editorial Board (Gotham Books, 2008)






The Life You Can Save
A new book by Peter Singer [www.thelifeyoucansave.com] that examines poverty, foreign aid, social justice and giving. For a review of the book as well as part of the first chapter, visit www.nytimes.com/2009/03/11/books/11garn.html.







Living with the Wolf: Walking the Way of Nonviolence
In celebration of its 20^th anniversary, Pace e Bene published this book on the nonviolent journey. Edited by Peter Ediger, it features 50 essays, interviews, and poems produced by 23 contributors and published in the newsletter, The Wolf, since its founding in 1989. The collection offers three vantage points on creative nonviolence: Naming Nonviolence, Living Nonviolence, and Engaging Nonviolence. Click here to read the Introduction>> http://paceebene.org/living-wolf-walking-way-nonviolence



A Memo to the Bishops -- A Call to Preach the Fullness of Catholic Doctrine
A reprint of an article that appeared in the November 22, 2010 issue of America magazine. Vincent Miller, the Gudorf Chair in Catholic Theology and Culture at the University of Dayton writes that every Catholic and every American already citizen already knows the church's teaching on abortion and marriage. The same cannot be said for the rest of Catholic social teaching. This has consequences for both American public life and for the church. To read the article, click here:
www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=12576&o=37728



A New Moment for Nuclear Disarmament
In October 2008, Pax Christi USA published a special 12-page newsletter announcing the campaign, "A New Moment for Nuclear Disarmament," which included resources, analysis, and a sign-up form to participate in the initiative. Join "A New Moment for Nuclear Disarmament" today by downloading the newsletter by clicking here.




Nine Steps to a Peace Based Economy
Deepak Chopra offers nine steps to build a peace-based economy. Highlights include: Scaling down arms dealing and make it illegal by the year 2020, Phasing out all foreign military bases, Converting military bases to housing for the poor Read the article at: http://www.alternet.org/audits/116640.



Orbis Books
Offers a wide range of books on prayer, spirituality, Catholic life, theology, mission and current affairs. The publishing arm of the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, Orbis Books addresses a broad readership exploring the global dimensions of faith, inviting dialogue with diverse cultures and traditions, and serving the cause of reconciliation and peace. For more information www.orbisbooks.com



Pax Christi Publications
Here are sample prayer, study and action resources available from the national Catholic Peace & Justice organization:
Mohandas Gandhi and Lifelong Peacemaking
"An Immigrant's Prayer by Remigio Hernandez"
Be Not Afraid: An Alternative to the "War on Terror"by Tom Cordaro
Peacemaking Day by Day -Imagine a World: Poetry for Peacemakers Compiled by Peggy Rosenthal PhD, illustrated by Mary Ann Lederer
Muslim, Jewish, Christian Prayer for Peace-Pax Christi USA: A Journey of Faith and Hope (DVD)
Our Prayers Rise Like Incense Edited by Cindy Pile
For more information visit:: www.paxchrisiusa.org



Peace is Every Step
By Thich Naat Hahn, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, living in France following his exile in 1966. In a series of vignettes and short passages, Nhat Hanh outlines techniques for living mindfully, that is, in the present. Emphasizing that all things are interconnected on personal and political levels, he notes, for example, that the wealth of one society is based on the poverty of others. This book of illuminating reminders bids us to reorient the way we look at the world, turning away from a goal-driven, me-first modality toward a humanitarian perspective. To see a video preview, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXQhspVJKxY



Peace, Conflict, and Violence: Peace Psychology in the 21st Century
This is a free book available online. Daniel Christie, Richard Wagner and Deborah DuNann Winter provide a thorough look at the field of peace psychology. In their words, "Peace psychology seeks to develop theories and practices aimed at the prevention and mitigation of direct and structural violence. Peace psychology promotes the nonviolent management of conflict and pursuit of social justice, what we refer to as peacemaking and 'peacebuilding,' respectively." Access the book by clicking here>> http://academic.marion.ohio-state.edu/dchristie/Peace%20Psychology%20Book.html



The Poverty and Justice Bible
This publication places emphasis on those passages which stress justice and poverty -- one of the central themes in scripture. For more information visit: www.povertyandjusticebible.org








The Radical Bible
This new and revised edition of an inspirational classic has:

• Selected powerful biblical quotes on the beatitudes, works of mercy, and essential teachings of Jesus.
  
• Compelling excerpts from the church's social teachings and the declarations of major Christian organizations
  
• Moving quotes from writers such as Desmond Tutu, Dorothy Day, Mohandas Gandhi, Thomas Merton, Pedro Arrupe, and Thich Nhat Hanh
  
• An up-to-date list of resources on issues of world peace, poverty, development, inculturation, liberation theology, and Christian social ethics
  

For more information, visit www.maryknollsocietymall.org/description.cfm?ISBN=978-1-57075-816-4



Small Christian Communities
There are over 90,000 Small Christian Communities (SCCs) in the eight countries in Eastern Africa. Kenya alone has over 35,000. Increasingly SCCs are promoting reconciliation, justice and peace -- the three main themes of the Second African Synod held in Rome, October 2009.

One major change is the increasing use of a Pastoral Theological Reflection Process known as the "Pastoral Circle" (the "See, Judge and Act" methodology) to help SCCs go deeper.  More and more SCCs in Africa are reflecting pastorally and theologically on their experiences, often using the tools of social analysis.

 More information can be found on the Small Christian Communities Global Collaborative Website and in the book, Small Christian Communities Today (Orbis Books, 2005), Joseph Healey, M.M. and Jeanne Hinton, editors.

For more information in collaborating with an overseas SCC and/or to become a member of a Virtual Small Christian Communities on Facebook, send an e-mail to malleditor@maryknoll.org



Stones Into Schools, Promoting Peace Through Education in Afganistan and Pakistan by Greg Mortenson, Penguin Books. 
This is the follow-up to his earlier Three Cups of Tea, One Man's Mission to Promote Peace... One School at a Time. The book is very similar to its predecessor, continuing the story of Mortenson traveling around Pakistan attempting to establish schools for girls. He believes that girls are a marginalized population Pakistan and that they offer the key to the nation's recovery from the influence of the Taliban. He also travels to Afghanistan to begin schools in that embattled nation. But the formula is still very much the same. He is approached to build a school in remote locations and, with the help of an unlikely cast of characters, he makes it happen, time after time. To read a review of the book, click here: www.nytimes.com/2009/12/10/books/10book.html



Tatoos on the Heart, The Power of Boundless Compassion
Mary & I recently had dinner with Jack Jezreel – founder of JustFaith Ministries -- and he gave us a copy of this book by Gregory Boyle -- founder of Homeboy Industries (Free Press, 2010) Jack said it is one of the best books he has ever read and it also comes highly recommended by Richard Rohr, Martin Sheen and Anjelica Huston. To read a review of the book in US Catholic, click here: http://www.uscatholic.org/culture/art-and-reviews/2010/07/tattoos-heart-power-boundless-compassion.



The Search For A Nonviolent Future-A Promise Of Peace For Ourselves, Our Families And Our World
Beginning with the achievements of Mahatma Gandhi, and following the legacy of nonviolence through the struggles against Nazism in Europe, racism in America, oppression in China and Latin America, and ethnic conflicts in Africa and Bosnia, Michael Nagler unveils a hidden history. Nonviolence, he proposes, has proven its power against arms and social injustice wherever it has been correctly understood and applied. Nagler's approach is not only historical but also spiritual, drawing on the experience of Gandhi and other activists and teachers. For more information visit www.amazon.com/Search-Nonviolent-Future-Ourselves-Families/dp/1930722400



Shaping a New World: A Challenge for the 21st Century
This 32-page booklet challenges readers to reflect on and put into practice the mandates of Catholic Social Teaching. It provides a detailed overview of Catholic social teachings on justice derived from Papal encyclicals, Synodal documents, and Bishops' Conferences, including Economic Justice for All. It also presents articles about sexism, racism, ecological devastation, and globalization. Included is a study guide which outlines how groups can use the manual. Ideal for high school classes, university groups, parish peace and social justice committees, and community-based organizations.1-9 copies are $6. For more information, click here;http://www.networklobby.org/resources/snw.htm



The State of Working America 2008/2009
Described as the "most comprehensive independent analysis of the U.S. labor market" by the Financial Times, the 11th edition shows that the business cycle that started in 2001 will be one for the record books. In fact, for the first time on record, middle-class families are at the end of a recovery without ever having regained the ground they lost during the previous recession. Gross domestic product and historically high productivity growth should have raised paychecks up and down the income ladder, but instead the benefits of that growth have bypassed most of the people who made it possible. Prepared biennially since 1988, The State of Working America scrutinizes family incomes, jobs, wages, unemployment, wealth, poverty, and health care coverage, describing the economy's effect on our nation's standard of living. For more information click here: www.stateofworkingamerica.org/order.html



U.S. in the World Guidebook
This is a free resource that pulls together facts and arguments and effective ways to express them for advocates of pragmatic, principled, effective and collaborative U.S. global engagement. Divided into general themes and specific foreign policy issues, the guide features compact summaries of core arguments, messaging recommendations and sample answers to frequently asked questions. This resource supports the work of advocates of pragmatic, principled, effective, and collaborative U.S. engagement in the world. It draws on the latest communications research and the insights of experts to outline convincing facts and arguments, and offer effective ways to put them across to non-expert American audiences. Developed by the Rockefeller and the Aspen Institutes, the Guide flows from a straightforward core vision: an informed, empowered citizenry is needed to encourage policymakers to support the sustained investment, involvement and leadership needed from the United States to tackle 21st-century challenges effectively. Advocates and experts alike need reliable, cutting-edge advice on how to communicate those ideas to citizens. This site also aims to helps people connect with others who share similar interests and goals. For more information visit: www.USintheworld.org or to view a 4 minute introductive video on this resource, visit: http://www.usintheworld.org/media/popup.php?video=intro_video_v3.wmv



Vessel of Clay: The Inspirational Journey of Sister Carla
August 2010 marks the 30th anniversary of the death of Maryknoll Sister Carol (Carla) Piette, who died in a flash flood in El Salvador. This book, written by Carla's lifelong friend, Maryknoll Affiliate Jacqueline Hansen Maggiore, tells the story of Carla's mission work as she accompanied the people who suffered through violent regimes: She spent the 1970s living under the repressive Pinochet dictatorship in Chile, and when Monseñor Oscar Romero called for experienced missioners to help the people of El Salvador in a time of lawless violence, Carla volunteered, along with her close friend Ita Ford. During their few months in El Salvador, Carla and Ita worked tirelessly to rescue refugees — mainly women and children — amid extreme atrocities, danger, and hostility to the church. Carla is remembered as Martyr of Charity in the local community of San Antonio los Ranchos, which gathers each August for a memorial at the river where she died. Vessel of Clay is a revealing story of the personal struggles of this sensitive, compassionate, courageous woman of faith as she battled her own insecurities. 200 pages, $18. Available through University of Chicago Press, 800-621-2736. For more information, click here: Vessel of Clay: The inspirational journey of Sister Carla



Writings & Reflections of Fr. John Dear SJ
John Dear is a Jesuit Priest, peace activist, organizer, lecturer, retreat leader, and author/editor of 20 books on peace and nonviolence, including Living Peace, published by Doubleday. Archbishop Desmond Tutu has nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize.
For more information visit: www.fatherjohndear.org