Being one of the people in this book, I know that Paul's use of the word "Hope" is parallel to "Faith" We are remembering our purpose here. Let's move forward with Love in our hearts.

First off, I have to say that this was not a light read. It took me twice as long to read this book as most other books do. I found myself reading and re-reading the early parts of the book. Loeb seemed to me to drift in the early chapters, heading in directions that seemed incongruent. I think the book would have been just as good if it were about 100 pages shorter. The last chapters of the book, from the chapter about burnout on, were very good.

However, having waded through it, I found the message that Loeb was trying to get across hit home with me. While I would not consider myself inactive, I would also not consider myself an activist. Paul Loeb has inspired me to become more of an activist. To find a cause that is most important to me and take a stand. If you are not active now, this book can be the spark to ignite your fire.

My husband and I have always wanted to help improve the world, especially on enviromental and sustainability issues. In the past we have felt overwhelmed to do anything. All issues appeared to big, the gov't too far away and unreachable.

Then we both read the book "Soul of a Citizen" by Paul Roget Loeb, we now know that our efforts do add up and make a difference. We are currently working on a letter writing campaign to get the Children's Enviromental Protection Act passed.

This is an excellent book. Read it today and start changing the world!

This incredible book teaches us that everyone can work for social justice and claim their right to participate as a citizen in everyday life. In a time where many small groups of ordinary citizens are choosing to re-engage in American democracy through Salons and Circles, we are grateful for this book to inspire and empower us. Loeb uses storytelling to illustrate how involvement in citizenship is surprisingly powerful and creates a tremendous sense of personal and spiritual growth. This hopeful and transformative book invites each of us to choose to take responsible action instead of choosing the civic apathy that has allowed America's governing bodies to listen to the wishes of the most powerful and profitable over the majority of its people. It is time for each of us to choose a better way -- our children, our communities, our democracy, and our natural world depend on us. This book is a great step in the right direction!

I think Loeb really gets to the point about what drives and motivates much of my generation, the 20-somethings and early 30-somethings. He knew back in early '90s how young people felt: what their attitudes and understanding were on our society, our nation's institutions (goverment, media, business, special interest groups), and our hopes for the future were like.

And what he knows is still true and will continue to be true in the years to come. Loeb's interviews gave him a strong understanding of why the young, intelligent, hard-working people of America would feel so disenchanted, disillusioned, and (deep down) betrayed by the purveyors (our so-called leaders) of politics and activism.

Part of it is the lessened sense of security about the future. Part of it is the futility felt when listening to yet another campaign promise, or the shame felt when seeing others more active and involved than oneself - causing one to hide in apathy from the former, while lashing out at the activist "saints" in the latter case.

If you want to understand more about what's going on in the minds of today's youth regarding politics and activism from a sympathetic, yet objective, point of view, I recommend that you read this book. The first step towards rejuvenation of a thriving political spirit is to understand the depths of its decline and the reasons for it.