What's New

Two Books on Non-violence

A new book, Human Smoke: the Beginnings of World War II, the End of Civilization, by Quaker novelist Nicholson Baker is causing quite a stir. Baker has created a compelling work of nonfiction bound to provoke discussion and controversy — a wide-ranging, astonishingly fresh perspective on the political and social landscape that gave rise to World War II. Human Smoke delivers a closely textured, deeply moving indictment of the treasured myths that have romanticized much of the 1930s and '40s. This book is already listed on The New York Times bestseller list and has been favorably reviewed by many periodicals.

Mark Kurlansky (author of Nonviolence: the History of a Dangerous Idea) says about the book, “People are going to get really angry at Baker for criticizing their favorite war. But he hasn't fashioned his tale from gossip. It is documented, with copious notes and attributions. The grace of these well-ordered snapshots is that there is no diatribe; you are left to put things together yourself. Read Human Smoke. It may be one of the most important books you will ever read. It could help the world to understand that there is no Just War, there is just war -- and that wars are not caused by isolationists and peaceniks but by the promoters of warfare.”

With amazing timing, Kurlansky’s remarkable book, Nonviolence: the History of a Dangerous Idea, is now available in paperback. Kurlansky discusses nonviolence as a distinct entity, a course of action, rather than a mere state of mind. Nonviolence can and should be a technique for overcoming social injustice and ending wars, he asserts, which is why it is the preferred method of those who speak truth to power.

Posted by QuakerBooks on April 15, 2008 | Comments (0)

Author Interviews

The Vocation and Soul of an Educator: An Interview with Parker J. Palmer

By Chel (Michel) Avery:I reached Parker Palmer by phone at his Wisconsin home after several false starts trying to schedule an interview. He travels much of the time. And I had been inconsistent about my readiness for our conversation. When Angelina at Quakerbooks first asked me to interview Parker Palmer, I was delighted. I had first encountered his voice in the 1980's, when a colleague recommended To Know As We Are Known (Harper), one of his early books that spoke to my interest in how to create meaningful learning environments for adults. Later, when I worked at Pendle Hill and when I became involved with Quaker schools, I found that his pamphlet Meeting for Learning (Friends Council on Education) was a classic, frequently-quoted guide among those involved in Friends education. I am always interested in accounts of how people's lives and vocations unfold, and I was quick to read and profit from his own personal story when Let Your Life Speak (Jossey-Bass) was published. So it was with high expectations that I purchased The Courage to Teach (Jossey-Bass) when it came out just over a decade ago. The book was stimulating much discussion among Quaker educators and I looked forward to reading it. Read more

Posted by QuakerBooks on April 12, 2008 | Comments (0)

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Book Musings

Welcoming the Stranger

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of visiting Friends Meeting of Austin for a weekend committee meeting. I found such a sense of welcome and invitation to the stranger in their new meeting house. It was quite an undertaking hosting all of us who had come to that meeting, yet we were fed and housed and nurtured with a warm embrace. The meeting welcomes its families and children and extends its reach into the community in many ways. They’ve chosen a neighborhood that increases the likelihood that their community’s wealth of diversity (ethnic, economic, sexual, and political) will walk through their doors.

On Sunday, I arrived at the meeting early and was asked to help unload a member’s car that was stuffed to the windshield with bread. The meeting collects leftover bread from Whole Foods and distributes most of it to homeless shelters in the area.

Posted by QuakerBooks on March 16, 2008 | Comments (0)

The Mystery of Advent (December 2007)

My cousin sent my 5 year-old son, Simon, an advent calendar this year.  The one she sent is lovely, a country village scene, with gentle, peaceful animals and cozy homes depicted in a fresh snow.  He opened it with earnest anticipation and immediately speculated about what might be hidden behind each opening.  He thought the ones in the sky might cover up stars, or birds; that the door to the café might reveal someone baking muffins; that the openings out on the snow might reveal animals or sledding children.  He speculated that if there were openings over the people (which there aren't), they might reveal "guts."  He thought the stable door, door 24, might hold presents.  I asked, "What happened on Christmas, who was born?"  He said, "Jesus! Jesus will be there."  

Posted by QuakerBooks on December 7, 2007

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Staff Picks

Graham Garner's Picks

These are a few books we stock that Friends haven’t seemed to notice yet... Read more

Posted by QuakerBooks on September 28, 2006 | Comments (0)

Laird Holby's Picks

Looking for language to illuminate the "inner light" and for the encouragement to live it. Read more

Posted by QuakerBooks on September 28, 2006 | Comments (0)