Off the shelf
What Universities Can Be: A New Model for Preparing Students for Active Concerned Citizenship and Ethical Leadership
For the university administrator seeking insight and hard-won wisdom from a respected colleague, Cornell University professor Robert J. Sternberg's new book is worth the time. But for the lay reader interested in the subject, there are more engaging and enjoyable books out there, says our reviewer, Michael Weston-Murphy....
The Fractured Republic: Renewing America's Social Contract in the Age of Individualism
Levin is admirably even-handed in laying the blame for the current nadir in our public discourse on both major parties, says our reviewer, Michael Weston-Murphy....
Brown Is the New White: How the Demographic Revolution Has Created a New American Majority
Civil rights lawyer Steve Phillips argues that while a growing multiracial majority already has the power to reshape American politics, policies, and priorities, progressives must do a better job of paying attention to the concerns of those groups....
Mission Control
Liana Downey has created a "step-by-step guide" for nonprofits that want to avoid mission creep, find their focus, and change the world....
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance
In her new book, University of Pennsylvania psychologist Angela Duckworth argues that achievement should be understood more as a function of continuous effort rather than natural ability. Our reviewer, Michael Weston-Murphy, is not entirely convinced....
Policy Patrons: Philanthropy, Education Reform, and the Politics of Influence
In her analysis of the Broad, Gates, Ford, and Kellogg foundations, Megan E. Tompkins-Stange asks: What role should foundations play in supporting education reform?
Nonprofit Fundraising 101: A Practical Guide With Easy to Implement Ideas and Tips From Industry Experts
Fundraising expert and social entrepreneur Darian Rodriguez Heyman's book includes advice from experts with hands-on experience in a specific fundraising area — including individual giving, special events, corporate sponsorships, mobile giving, or government grants....
The Reproach of Hunger: Food, Justice, and Money in the Twenty-First Century
David Rieff offers an erudite, well-researched analysis of the problem of world hunger and the many challenges associated with international development....
Hoping to Help: The Promises and Pitfalls of Global Health Volunteering
Judith N. Lasker examines the landscape of short-term volunteer trips; the benefits and drawbacks of such activity from the perspective of the sponsoring organizations, the volunteers, and the host communities; and what can be done to make such activity more effective, particularly for the latter....
American Generosity: Who Gives and Why
Mirielle Clifford reviews Patricia Snell Herzog and Heather E. Price's in-depth examination of how social factors and regional characteristics influence and drive American generosity....
Social Movements for Good: How Companies and Causes Create Viral Change
CECP's Jennifer Chen reviews Derrick Feldman's guide to the nuts and bolts of movement building, including an analysis of how social movements for good differ from traditional social movements in their end goals and messaging vehicles....
The Great Surge: The Ascent of the Developing World
Radelet, who chairs the Global Human Development Program at Georgetown University, argues that the end of the Cold War ushered in an era of unprecedented development progress across much of Africa, Asia, and Latin America....
Getting Beyond Better: How Social Entrepreneurship Works
Business strategist Roger L. Martin and Skoll Foundation president and CEO Sally R. Osberg provide an overview of social entrepreneurship and share the stories of several social entrepreneurs who have changed — and are changing — the world for the better....
Charity Detox: What Charity Would Look Like If We Cared About Results
In his new book, the founder of Atlanta-based FCS Urban Ministries and the author of the 2011 book Toxic Charity challenges social entrepreneurs and funders to rethink what they know about charity work....
The Self-Help Myth: How Philanthropy Fails to Alleviate Poverty
According to author Erica Kohl-Arenas, the limitations of the "self-help approach to poverty alleviation" raises troubling questions about the ability of private philanthropy to improve the lives of the people it claims to serve....
