The Sea Is So Wide and My Boat Is So Small 1st (first) edition Text Only

by Marian Wright Edelman

In America today, the gap between the rich and the poor is the greatest ever recorded--larger than any other industrialized nation. It has become far too easy to ignore the hardships of millions of children plagued by poverty, poor health, illiteracy, violence, adult hypocrisy, and injustice. As founder and president of the Children's Defense Fund, Marian Wright Edelman knows all too well the suffering of so many of our nation's children, who live every day with adversity most of us can barely imagine. In The Sea Is So Wide and My Boat Is So Small , Edelman asks difficult questions about what we truly value, and looks hard at what we can--and must--do to build a nation fit for all children. With the passion and conviction that have made her our leading child advocate, she calls us all to stand up for the future of America. What have we done and what have we left undone? What lessons can we learn from our past and our present to realize a just and peaceful national and world vision for our children and grandchildren?Marian Wright Edelman challenges all of us--our leaders, our teachers, the faith community, parents, grandparents, and future generations--to end the epidemic physical and spiritual poverty afflicting millions of our children. We can leave our children with a better, safer, and fairer world if we care enough. And we can--and must--do it now.

Genres: Nonfiction, Education, Parenting, Essays

Hardcover

First published September 10, 2008

About the author

Marian Wright Edelman is an American activist for children's rights. She has been an advocate for disadvantaged Americans for her entire professional life. She is founder and president emerita of the Children's Defense Fund. She influenced leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Hillary Clinton.

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This passage is going to stay with me for a while: “A theologian friend of mine, Dr. Eileen Lindner, shared the story of taking her car to Jiffy Lube for servicing. Not having anything to read, she picked up a manual on the coffee table about boating. A chapter on the rules for what happens when boats encounter one another on the open sea described two kinds of craft: burdened and privileged. The craft with power that can accelerate and push its way through the waves, change direction, and stop on demand is the burdened one. The craft dependent on the forces of nature, wind, tide, and human effort to keep going is the privileged craft. Since powerful boats can make their way forward under their own power, they are burdened with responsibility to give the right of way to the powerless or privileged vessels dependent on the vagaries of the tide, wind, and weather.”

[Alana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would send a conservative run screaming for the hills...it describes the plight of children in the U.S. and around the world using some very sad statistics, then persuasively argues that the answer comes through each individual approaching the sins of poverty and neglect in our world with a moral and religious commitment to economic justice, child welfare and education, and healthcare - linking the messages of Christ to the acts of these moral commitments. I loved her calling out those who proclaim to be Christians who support those candidates who do nothing for the vulnerable, the poor, children and those in prison - all groups called out specifically by Christ. Only 3 stars because it covers no new ground and will fall on deaf ears to those who already believe that poverty isn't the concern of them or government.

[Grace Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love buying and reading these types of books.
Boats, yachts, historical events and books about the sea are generally excellent. If there are sequels in your series, I would love to read them.

The beauties of owning the books of important authors cannot be discussed. I'm looking forward to your new books.

For friends who want to read this book, I leave the importance of reading a book here. I wish good luck to the sellers and customers...

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[Dijon Capri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book is phenomenal for those that are trying to get into education policy and that want to hear about budget allocation towards children. I rate this book a 3/5 because it was really informative, but not the best read flow wise. What I didn’t like is that the writing seemed dry at times and was tougher to get through. I cycle through informative and fiction books so by comparison other authors do a better job of tying you into the writing and it being a bit more organized. I felt like I was getting the same thing throughout the book content wise.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is like reading a series of letters from your oldest, wisest friend. It’s a must read for educators or anyone working on behalf of children. Not only is is full of facts and stats about the state of America’s children and the gap between the rich and poor, but it’s an inspiring call to make a change in behalf of the next generation. It’s one of the most inspiring books I’ve read recently.

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this up from a recommendation during my CASA training. A short little book (finished in a few hours) of letters containing the author’s wisdom and many facts, albeit a bit dated since it was published in 2008, regarding the plight of our children in the US today. Heartfelt and full of hopeful ideas for building a better community support system.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edelman dedicates this book to "all the children with whom they must share the world and to those who work tirelessly to build a future fit and safe for every child"

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting format of directing information to particular groups.

[Lyza · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book serves as a compass to navigate the vastness of life and the raging storms as well as the crashing waves it'll brought upon us.(⁠◕⁠દ⁠◕⁠)

[Courtney]

Too preachy.

[Cam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really inspired by this book, and would go as far to call it a "must read." This was a great follow-up to "Three Cups of Tea", because it talks about how we can each do our part to change the world. This book made me want to be a better mother, neighbor, leader, and person. It gave me renewed excitement about my church calling and the opportunity that I have to work with youth and help them realize how beautiful, wonderful and important they are. It validated my role as a mother. It helped me set goals to be better at getting involved in my community (even if it's just being the friendly neighbor that talks to everyone who passes our driveway), and to serve (Jesus Christ didn't ask for admirers, he asked for disciples), and to work on who I am and focus on the differences I can make around me.
It is scary to see the gaps widening in our world, and it made me really evaluate my opinions about other people. It talks about the many mothers and newborns who die each day because they don't have access to proper care- and this book made me really think about those people as individuals and how no matter where you are born, you are still a child of God, and deserve to be loved and cared for.
Anyways, I thought it was great. There were definitely some things I didn't agree with, but I would still recommend and love to own this book. It's not very long, and it was written in 2008, so it's very up to date.

[Jemilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edelman writes this text to inspire, anger, motivate, and educate any and all who will listen. She reaches out to the individual and groups who can plant the seed for change. I found myself thinking of the overlapping roles i may have in the community and how my one voice could really mean something if I vow to do the little I can. I liked the way she broke down the biggest movements in history into small actions of change on the individual level. While throughout the book, I kept thinking about how some would probably argue every point, I wondered if they could at least connect to the heart of one chapter that speaks to them. The job to fix the world is very complex and all views need to be brought to the table so I can only hope that our common ground can be the hope we have for our children to make it. Thanks Marian for your inspiration for I too feel that my boat is too small and the sea is too wide but am now confident that with one ripple of my boat I can eventually make waves.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not an entirely original book in the sense that none of the ideas are necessarily new--in fact, some of it could come across as platitudinous, were it not for the fact that Marion Wright Edelman is the founder of the Children's Defense Fund and works everyday with underprivileged children, trying to make a different, better world. She knows firsthand what the real plight of our children is, and what we must do to bridge the gap between our actions and our ideals. In this sense, I found her words and ideas, in the form of letters to educators, community leaders, parents, etc., touching and motivating. I am often mindful of the responsibility I have not to just my own children, but to all children that are in need, and feel overwhelmed. What can I do? Edelman makes the case in this book that we must do more, that our collective future depends on it.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an Ultra-liberal book that is written by the founder and president of the Children's Defense Fund. She is insightful, thoughtful, caring and urges all people to act on behalf of all needy children, our nation's future. She proposes to pay for it all by eliminating tax cuts for the rich and cutting military spending. Idealistic, but she might have an easier time getting all the people of the world to hold hands and sing "Cumbayah." I think she's got a good heart and I tried to take as much from her words and prayers as I can; together we can make a difference in the world, even if it's not the ideal solution.

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read that someone talked about this book being great for parents (I think it was Jennifer Garner, Reese Witherspoon, you get the idea??)Decided it was a short little book and I could use some inspiration!

Different than what I expected--lots of prayers and letters to people like teens, parents, politicians, but definitely made me think. The statistics of poverty and children dying were astonishing and made me really open my eyes!

[Amy (Bossy Bookworm) · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's nothing groundbreaking here, but the book is an easily digested series of short letters (to grandchildren, parents, teachers, leaders, and citizens, for example). Edelman reminds readers to serve in the world around us, expect the best from children and support them in every way, live intentionally, and to be courageous, grateful, and passionate about life.

[Kady24 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, I was a little disappointed...while the facts in the book are shocking and sad, I felt like it was lacking a course of action. It never tells an individual what they can do to help. Plus I felt like it could have been a 10 page book since it just reiterated the same facts again and again. Worth a quick skim, could have been better.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reads like a casual letter to a friend, but in a way, that makes it more powerful. The premise: as a society, we are abandoning our children. Edelman argues we have to look after and protect all children - not just our own. When she argues how little it would cost to insure all children in America, right now, it's truly heartbreaking.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am currently reading this one. Marian Edelman is an amazing woman. Her writing is a tad preachy but you learn so much about what is happening within the community regarding the impoverished and what can be done about it..its worth bearing her intense opinions....

[Beth Quick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought I might use this with one of my research groups, and went another direction, but I read this anyway. An easy read, and deep, inspiring, if not life-changing thoughts/poems/essays from Maria Wright Edelman.

[Maribel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm rereading this book it's so good. Everyone should read especially during these troubled times in which there is no end in sight without employing most of the changes mentioned in this book. It is life changing.

[Kaeli]

Written by the founder of the Children's Defense Fund on its 35th anniversary. She urges Americans to "reclaim our children, families, communities and our nation".

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marian Wright Edelman is one of my heroes, and I wish every world leader would read this book.

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I didn't finish the book before it was due back at the library, I thought it was a good reminder about what is really important in life... people, not "things"

[Jen Mihelic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspiring.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not what I expected, which was a big letdown since I had been looking forward to reading it for so long.

[Ali · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit preachy

[Patricia]

I read the "for teachers" chapter and called it good.

[Tara Jefferson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of information about the Cradle-to-Prison pipelines. Eye-opening facts about poverty in America.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells how to build a nation fit for all children including the poor.