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The Civically Engaged Reader: A Diverse Collection of Short Provocative Readings on Civic Activity
The Civically Engaged Reader assembles more than forty provocative and diverse readings that range across literature, philosophy, and religion. These selections invite reflection on all kinds of civic-minded activities--from giving and serving to leading and associating--and on the vital connections between thought and service.
The selections in The Civically Engaged Reader will stimulate both individual contemplation and lively group discussion and debate. Appendixes with questions for discussion and tips for making those discussions meaningful make this anthology a ready-to-go resource for service and volunteer groups, as well as college classrooms.
Published with support from the Project on Civic Reflection.346 pages, Paperback
First published August 15, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 2, 2008
I was in a state wide AmeriCorps group that read this last year and am facilitating a group this year that uses this book. Its a great teaching/discussion tool for public service.
April 29, 2025
This is a great collection, especially for facilitating discussion about topics like service, giving, globalization, social justice, etc.
May 5, 2008
A fantastic compilation of essays, poems, excerpts, etc. that all relate to service. This is the text for Justice Talks, a book club of sorts for all of the RI AmeriCorps members.
Read
June 18, 2020For the October Book Club, I read The Civically Engaged Reader, a collection of short readings on the topic of civic activity, edited by Adam Davis and Elizabeth Lynn. It’s the same text the VOICES students are using in class as a foundation for their community involvement. The collection contains four parts: Associating, Serving, Giving, and Leading.
The Associating section raises questions about the associations we make within our community. We make associations in all areas of our lives, starting at home with our families, then moving out to school peers, coworkers, teammates, or any other kind of group you could think of. How, why, and with whom we associate influences the type of person we grow into, and our resulting level of civic engagement. You’ll find Franz Kafka’s “Fellowship” here, which raises important questions about whom we leave out when we form our associations, and why we do so (Kafka argues it’s arbitrary – we capped our group at five members, and you are number six, sorry).
The Serving section explores the meaning of service, as well as its limits and rewards. It begins with a horror story called “Luella” by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman, and raises the question of whether there are and/or should be limits to the service we do, and how we should provide service. In this story, Luella essentially sucks the life out of every well-meaning person who comes to live with her, to serve her. But the people who do serve her do so by giving her all the fish, rather than teaching her to fish, and so there is no solution but their utter collapse, being part of an unsustainable system as they are. The rest of this section generally explores the benefits the server receives for their commitment.
The Giving section explores the complexities of fiscal giving, and how it affects both the receiver and the giver. It also raises the question of whom to give to, whether it be random handouts or to only those who can help themselves, as Andrew Carnegie argues. The Leading section looks at the position of leaders in our society, and the burdens as well as the rewards they receive. Leaders are often faced with difficult decisions and complex problems with no easy solution. This book covers a lot of ground very quickly, and is a very good starting point for anyone wanting to flesh out their understanding of civic engagement.
The Associating section raises questions about the associations we make within our community. We make associations in all areas of our lives, starting at home with our families, then moving out to school peers, coworkers, teammates, or any other kind of group you could think of. How, why, and with whom we associate influences the type of person we grow into, and our resulting level of civic engagement. You’ll find Franz Kafka’s “Fellowship” here, which raises important questions about whom we leave out when we form our associations, and why we do so (Kafka argues it’s arbitrary – we capped our group at five members, and you are number six, sorry).
The Serving section explores the meaning of service, as well as its limits and rewards. It begins with a horror story called “Luella” by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman, and raises the question of whether there are and/or should be limits to the service we do, and how we should provide service. In this story, Luella essentially sucks the life out of every well-meaning person who comes to live with her, to serve her. But the people who do serve her do so by giving her all the fish, rather than teaching her to fish, and so there is no solution but their utter collapse, being part of an unsustainable system as they are. The rest of this section generally explores the benefits the server receives for their commitment.
The Giving section explores the complexities of fiscal giving, and how it affects both the receiver and the giver. It also raises the question of whom to give to, whether it be random handouts or to only those who can help themselves, as Andrew Carnegie argues. The Leading section looks at the position of leaders in our society, and the burdens as well as the rewards they receive. Leaders are often faced with difficult decisions and complex problems with no easy solution. This book covers a lot of ground very quickly, and is a very good starting point for anyone wanting to flesh out their understanding of civic engagement.
October 16, 2026
Thoughts loading…..
The Drum Major Instinct: “Any church that violates the ‘whosoever will, let him come’ doctrine is a dead, cold church, and nothing but a little social club with a thin veneer of religiosity…. It’s the one place where everybody should be the same standing before a common master and savior. And a recognition grows out of this- that all men are brothers because they are children of a common father.” “If I can help somebody as I pass along, if I can cheer somebody with a word or song, if I can show somebody he’s traveling wrong, then my living will not be in vain. If I can do my duty as a Christian ought, if I can bring salvation to a world once wrought, if I can spread the message as the master taught, then my living will not be in vain.”
The Drum Major Instinct: “Any church that violates the ‘whosoever will, let him come’ doctrine is a dead, cold church, and nothing but a little social club with a thin veneer of religiosity…. It’s the one place where everybody should be the same standing before a common master and savior. And a recognition grows out of this- that all men are brothers because they are children of a common father.” “If I can help somebody as I pass along, if I can cheer somebody with a word or song, if I can show somebody he’s traveling wrong, then my living will not be in vain. If I can do my duty as a Christian ought, if I can bring salvation to a world once wrought, if I can spread the message as the master taught, then my living will not be in vain.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2019
Most interesting/useful essays by de Tocqueville (Democracy in America), ML King ("Drum Major Instinct"). Anyone can find ones they like.
December 8, 2020
This book, which I used for class, is great for getting students to think about engagement. The stories by Toni Morrison, Dave Eggers, and others, as well as the poetry and philosophy, such as William James and Jane Addams, all contribute to a "great book". Thanks to V for suggesting to use it again!
Want to Read
January 31, 2008I haven't read this yet, but I'm SUPER excited about it. Check out www.civicreflection.org for more info.
Read
February 7, 2008for work...
September 9, 2009
I'm reading this book for my non-profit class- Civic Leadership Institute through Boston Cares.........
January 23, 2012
Excellent. My students liked the selections. Very engaging.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews