In fact, I had a very interesting exchange in early 2006 when I'd read in the papers about a Charlotte, North Carolina realtor named Harry Taylor, who challenged Bush politely but firmly at a town meeting (one of the first where people who weren't his supporters could ask questions), and as a result made international headlines. Congressional Quarterly, the ultimate insiders' Bible of Capitol Hill, said that Taylor's challenge "symbolized just how fully the president has lost his connection with many Americans," and concluded that it might be remembered as the "beginning of the end" for the Bush administration.
I was delighted to read this, then three days later got an email out of the blue saying, "I want you to know that a portion of the courage I was miraculously able to find last Thursday, in my dialogue with George Bush, came from the readings about other unremarkable people, doing remarkable things, in The Impossible Will Take a Little While. I'd never met him or corresponded with him before, and I was stunned and delighted. I actually profile him further in Soul's new edition, but I've gotten similar responses, from thousands of other people, like when the head of the United Nations World Food Program had her assistant call to set up a meeting when she was in Seattle and told me she'd given the book to her daughter for graduation.
That must be incredibly gratifying! You lecture often to college students. Do your books resonate for them?
They really do. And across political lines. I was speaking this November to a branch of the Georgia State system in Newt Gingrich's home district, where 2500 freshmen were reading Soul's earlier edition. They totally loved it. I was just delighted. Not all of them agreed with my politics, of course, but they responded overwhelmingly and it inspired many of them to get involved,
Are you excited about the release of this new edition of Soul of a Citizen ? Or is it like anything else, and after a while, it becomes no big deal? (I have no idea, having never written or published a book.)
I'm very excited. It started out with a vague idea that I'd update it, maybe in a modest way, like most second editions. But I ended up putting a year of my life into making sure it spoke as powerfully as possible to the issues of our time and what it means to be politically active in tour time. I've included some great new profiles, great new stories, and from everything I can tell I think the book really can be a major antidote to the despair and political paralysis that so many people are feeling.
So I actually think it's going to be exceptionally useful, and I can't wait to get it into people' s hands so it can inspire them to get involved, help them stay involved and not burn out, and also help them reach out and engage others. Of course, that was my original purpose in writing the book, but it feels great to have an edition that really speaks to this time, because we still have some real opportunities for change, but only if we're involved far more than most of us we have been the past year.
Anything else you'd like to add, Paul?
That's it. Except that I think this really is a great book for people on the fence, who are just thinking about getting involved, but hesitant. Or have been involved and are beginning to hit the wall. At least that's what people tell me, and enough have said it, that I think it probably is really true.
Thanks so much for talking with me. And good luck with Soul of A Citizen.
***
Part one of my interview with Paul
For more info about Soul of a Citizen, go to
www.soulofacitizen.org
or www.soulofacitizen.org.soul.htm
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