Catherine Whitmire

Plain living is a new favorite book of mine. It is as the other reviews state a book of sayings by quaker authors in collections by subject. I put it on my bedside table and read a couple of pages at night and find it grounding and reflective of the way I would like to conduct my life and myself. The authors are a broad group of individuals with differing view points but yet they find commonality in the willingness to accept others where they are in their process and at the same time, show more broaden perceptions of the world around us and our part in it. I have already given this book to a friend looking to understand more of how quakers think and will keep it close to my bed for moments when I would like to settle down and in.
Julie Senko show less

The author shares stories of successful nonviolent movements throughout history with quotes mined from over 350 years of teachings on peace. Query questions lead readers on a journey to self-discovery and through the stages of practicing peace: first by focusing inwardly, then turning our eyes to practice peace in the world around us.

This one is sort of a combination of self-help and spiritual advice. Mostly, a collection of wise quotations and aphorisms which are meant to give the reader something to think about. This type of book, generically, tends to give a worth piece of advice and then repeat it, expand on it, enlarge it, explain it to the point of tedium. As far as I have experienced, all self-help books do this, which is why I rarely read them. This book, beautifully printed, with great cover design, is still no show more exception. show less

In this book the author introduces the Quaker tradition of peacemaking and applies it to everyday situations. From practicing peace at home to actively pursuing nonviolence in the world around us, she affirms that peace is practical, desirable, and attainable for spiritual seekers of all religious traditions.