The Shattering Peace
America's First Daughter

The Civility Book: A Guide to Building Bridges Across the Political Divide

Once pitted as adversarial counterparts as the opinion editors of right- and left-leaning newspapers, veteran journalists Nolan Finley and Stephen Henderson join forces in this groundbreaking work to champion a novel approach to political discourse. Finley, a resolute conservative, and Henderson, a committed progressive, defy expectations by demonstrating that civil conversation is not only possible but also richly rewarding, even across colossal ideological divides.

In 2020, they launched the Civility Project with journalist and author Lynne Golodner, beginning their journey to teach Americans how to engage in respectful dialogue and maintain relationships despite political differences. The Civility Book is an extension of that mission, offering practical tools and strategies for fostering civility in everyday interactions. At the core of this work, the authors position their four pillars of civility to explain what civility is, why it matters, and how individuals can use it to overcome the antagonistic rhetoric that threatens our society today, one conversation at a time. This conversational, no-nonsense guide provides valuable lessons, a detailed curriculum, probing questions for consideration, and an extensive appendix of resources outlining ongoing efforts to curb unproductive contention and advance a more harmonious society.

More Adult, Non-Juvenile Books

  • In The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, James McBride explores the intertwined lives of the residents of Chicken Hill, a neighborhood where immigrant Jews and African Americans coexist amid struggles and secrets. As the community rallies to protect a deaf boy from institutionalization, the narrative reveals the deep bonds of love and resilience that sustain them, even in the face of adversity and the oppressive forces of society.

    Read More about "The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store"...

  • The House on Mango Street is a poignant coming-of-age novel that follows Esperanza Cordero as she navigates her childhood in Chicago, exploring her identity and aspirations. Through a series of beautifully crafted vignettes, Sandra Cisneros captures the essence of self-discovery and the importance of telling one's story, making it a cherished classic in American literature.

    Read More about "The House on Mango Street"...

  • The Hunter unfolds in a small Irish village where former Chicago PD officer Cal Hooper seeks peace but finds himself entangled in a conflict involving a reappearing father and a gold-seeking scheme. As Cal and his partner Lena strive to protect a troubled teenager from the looming threat, the lines between safeguarding and revenge blur, challenging their relationships and their morals.

    Read More about "The Hunter"...

  • Matt Daly’s lineage links back to Puritans from the early colonial period who helped set the course toward many of the destructive and shameful practices that Anglo-American culture has enacted on people and ecosystems around the world. The Invisible World strives to address this history, not to redress its wrongs, but at least to face them in the hope of making sense of how we might live beyond their influence. Exploring the writings of his ancestor, Matt saw an articulation of wildness as the habitat for evil. The American continent was cast as a place to be purged of its darkness. [...]