Reviews (17)

Absolutely loved it
Me to We was a great addition to my book shelf although it won't spend much time there.This is one of those books that I will pass on to others.
A selfless "self-help" book...that actually works
I couldn't put it down. This book has everything you need to improve your life and the lives of the people around you. I've read other self-help books but they were never very helpful. After reading this one I was completely inspired. Last night I signed up to volunteer in my community! From now on I am definitely going to live from me to we.

craig and marc know what they're talking about
I once saw the Kielburgers on the news so I decided to give their book a try. I was very impressed, these guys pack a lot of knowledge for their age. I'm going to buy this book for my family so I can pass along the message of Me to We. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Altruism    2. Applied Ethics    3. Conduct of life    4. Ethics & Moral Philosophy    5. Helping behavior    6. Inspirational    7. Inspirational - General    8. Motivational & Inspirational    9. Personal Growth - General    10. Self-Help    11. Volunteer Work    12. Self-Help / Personal Growth / General   

Reviews (14)

Inspired to Volunteer
I just finished "Chicken Soup for the Volunteer Soul," which is an excellent and inspirational book. Also, a few weeks ago, I went on a Social and Service Justice Retreat. Since reading this book, making the retreat, and other inevitable signs, I feel inspired to find a place to volunteer. Well received
'Chicken Soup for the Volunteer's Soul' was well received by our volunteers, and it has also touch many people's hearts. Love it so far
I am a volunteer my self at the my cities animal shelter. And I am going to let the president of the volunteers borrow it after I am done. I hope they make more about volunteering. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Caring    2. Conduct of life    3. Helping behavior    4. Inspirational    5. Motivational & Inspirational    6. Social Science    7. Sociology    8. Sociology - General    9. Voluntarism    10. Volunteer Work    11. Volunteers    12. Self-Help / Personal Growth / General   

Reviews (17)

Tells you everything it could
I read this book while going through the application process for the Peace Corps, and then found a copy of it in my host country while serving. Several other volunteers and I sat down and read pieces out loud to each other, expecting a good laugh, and were surprised at how good we still found it. It is very thorough and very accurate. As to one reviewer's note that it left them with unanswered questions - well, you must understand, even within one host country, people have very different experiences, and the Peace Corps is in about 80 countries. What this book doesn't tell you, you can't - and don't need to - know beforehand. Read it, pack lightly, and go with an open mind.

Great Information
I am considering joining the Peace Corps and this book provided me with all the information and answered so many of the questions about joining. Is very honest and straight forward about consequences and advantages. Awesome insight! Recommend this book highly for anyone curious to know the real truths behind joining the Peace Corps.

A Great Help
I have dreamt of the Peace Corps for years now, and since college graduation is nearing, I read this book.It's put in a simple question and answer format, so you can skip to or refer back to a specific concern of yours.He brought up questions I hadn't even thought of, and now Peace Corps life is a lot clearer to me.So clear, I might not even go anymore!The only thing I didn't like about this book was that he says "you will feel this way or that way" and "this is what will happen;" I wish he would have told about his experience more than telling me what I will experience, as if we all go through the same thing.I would have also liked to hear more about specific projects.I very much appreciated that he gave the up side and the down side; it's not just an advertisement for the Peace Corps.I also like that in the end there are references for other volunteer abroad opportunities, as I'm looking for something with a shorter commitment.This advice can be applied to programs other than the Peace Corps, and my copy is now full of highlights and dog-eared pages.I definitely recommend this book to anyone who is thinking about the Peace Corps. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Handbooks & Manuals    2. Handbooks, manuals, etc    3. Peace Corps (U.S.)    4. Questions & Answers    5. Reference    6. Sociology    7. Volunteer Work   

Reviews (25)

A historical and biographical account of social entrepreneurial heros and heroines
I found it inspiring and at the same time intimidating to contemplate the brilliant, hardworking people who inhabit this book.All of them committed their lives, talents, and fortunes to tackle seemingly endemic and chronic social problems, starting small and eventually spreading their good works throughout their nations and even globally.I recommend the book for anyone trying to improve their communities' health and welfare.

Feel better about the world
The book has several good stories about good things going on in the world.It's mostly a collection of anectodal items on people in different countries and the challenges they faces.I was surprised on how sometimes such common sense ideas become revolutionary movements.Because the book covers so many countries and problem solvers you don't find out about the people that came before that failed.Its clear that these people are building on others but just now how.
A few good people . . .
This account of one man's efforts to revise the defintion of "entrepreneur" demonstrates the capacity of what can be achieved from small beginnings.Bill Drayton has created a "consulting" firm that girdles the world.Creator and promoter of Ashoka, a foundation dedicated to social change, Drayton uses a highly selective arrangement to locate and encourage people desiring social change.Their efforts, rarely, if ever, depicted in either mainstream media or even specialty publications, are here explained and endorsed.As is Drayton's unorthodox methods.Yet those methods, and the people adapting them to local conditions, have been demonstrably successful.They need further study and application.
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Subjects:  1. Case studies    2. Entrepreneurship    3. Philanthropy & Charity    4. Social Science    5. Social action    6. Social reformers    7. Social service    8. Social work    9. Sociology    10. Volunteer Work    11. Social Science / Volunteer Work    12. Sociology | Social Movement, Social Change    13. Sociology, Social Studies   

Reviews (8)

Best of the Leading Books, But Not the Whole Picture
New Knowledge & New Insights Found in Book
I have worked in the not for profit world for over 25 years as an association executive. I have also served on the Board of the Cerebral Palsy Center for the Bay Area for over 20 years. In each experience, theimportance of finding and retaining and inspiring and engaging volunteerleaders is the factor that contributes to successfully achieving vision andmission. In the not for profit world, we are here to serve. The pressure tobe the best at meeting the needs of those we serve never ends; the demandsstretch our hearts and our minds; but in the not for profit world newknowledge, new ideas, new approaches, best practices,quality, andinnovation can help meet important needs, and can even save a life. Thisbook will inspire organizations seeking the best and brightest leaders, andis equally capable of inspiring the leaders we seek for our organizations.Well done and long needed by the field.

It will turn you around!
I hate to read books like this.Every once in a while I come across a book that is so helpful it stands me on my head.Really!After reading this book I felt a lot more confident to deal with thw 100+ volunteers Ihave in my organization. I would recommend this book to anyone who isresponsible for volunteers. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics / Nonprofit Organizations & Charities    2. Management    3. Nonprofit organizations    4. Personnel management    5. Recruiting    6. Social Science / Volunteer Work    7. Sociology    8. Volunteers    9. Business    10. Nonprofit Organizations & Charities    11. Recruitment    12. Volunteer Work    13. Volunteer workers   

Reviews (4)

Somewhat Dated, Some Nuggets
Invite, don't plead!
The Volunteer Recruitment (And Membership Development) Book by volunteer recruitment expert Susan Ellis is a straightforward and practical guide to successfully finding and recruiting volunteers for non-profit organizations and other causes and movements. Chapters cover recruitment techniques (invite, don't plead!), appealing to target audiences, where to look for volunteers and much more. The Volunteer Recruitment Book is an absolutely useful "must-read" for anyone charged with the responsibility of finding -- and keeping -- new volunteers!

Good advice for volunteer and membership recruitment
Ms. Ellis's book provides a lot of good advice.As the current presidentof a volunteer run professional organization, I started reading her booklooking for ways to recruit more people to serve on our board or in ourvolunteer role and run the nominations process more effectively.I endedup with ideas about that, but also possibly more importantly it prompted meto spend a lot of time thinking about how our group presents itself to thepublic, to it's members, and what we do.In other words, it prompted me tothink about our group on more strategic levels.Read more

Subjects:  1. Business/Economics    2. Recruiting    3. Sociology    4. Volunteer Work    5. Volunteers    6. Business & Economics / Management    7. Susan J. Ellis   

Reviews (17)

This book was my bible...
I did extensive research before going overseas to volunteer, and this book was my bible, beacon, guiding light, whatever you want to call it.It answered questions I didn't even know I had, and opened my eyes to the various ways I could accomplish a goal that, at the beginning, I thought had very few options for accomplishment.The appendix is incredibly thorough, and that alone could be a great resource.This book changed my ideas about how I wanted to volunteer, and in the end I completely restructured my plan and had a wonderful experience abroad.I would have felt very lost without this resource..

Socially responsible guide to volunteering
If you have a good heart, are curious about other cultures, and are new to volunteering, the opening section of this book may come as a bit of a shock.
Great Reference
A great reference for those thinking of volunteering overseas. Gives good profiles of each organization, including those geared towards high school students to retirees.Has both pros and cons for many organizations including an entire chapter on the Peace Corps.Highly recommended!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Career/Job    3. Careers - General    4. Careers - Job Hunting    5. Directories    6. Handbooks, manuals, etc    7. Sociology    8. Voluntarism    9. Volunteer Work    10. Business & Economics / Careers   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Management    4. Management - General    5. Nonprofit Organizations & Charities    6. Private Welfare Work    7. Social Work Administration    8. Sociology    9. United States    10. Volunteer Work    11. Volunteers    12. Business & Economics / Nonprofit Organizations & Charities    13. Charities & voluntary services    14. Management & management techniques   

Editorial Review

Millions of American soldiers, many of whom had never left their hometowns before, crossed the nation by rail during the years of World War II on their way to training camps and distant theaters of battle. In a little town in Nebraska, countless thousands of them met with extraordinary hospitality--the "miracle" of veteran journalist Bob Greene's title. "The best America there ever was. Or at least, whatever might be left of it." So Greene writes of North Platte, now a quiet town along the interstate, its main street all but dead. It was a quiet town then, too, at the outbreak of the war, but still a hive of activity as its citizens gathered to provide, at their own expense, coffee, sandwiches, books, playing cards, and time to the scared young men who rolled through by the trainload, "telling them that their country cared about them." Greene's pages are full of the voices of those who were there, soldiers and townspeople alike, who took part in what amounted to small acts of heroism, given the shortages and rationing of the time. Greene, generous in his praise if rather disheartened by the modern world, against which he contrasts the past, turns in a remarkable account of the home front. It deserves the widest audience. Read more

Reviews (50)

Oey! A great story but NOT a good storyteller.
I agree that the story of the North Platte canteen and all the people supporting it for all those years is wonderful, incredible, definitely a story needing telling.
Feel good book about the greatest generation . . .
It was a monumental act of generosity that kept the North Platte Canteen in operation from 1941 to 1945, offering food, drink, and gratitude to the multitude of troop trains carrying young servicemen through Nebraska during WWII. Greene's book is a tribute to those who made it possible - a scrapbook of memories recalled by men and women who are now in their 70s, 80s and older.
The Good Old, Bad Old Days
Good, because of everyone being so generous.Bad, because it was the beginning of World War II and so many Americans, particularly in the midwest, had suffered enough in the first world war that they bitterly opposed US entry into the War until the day that Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and isolationism became a thing of the past.Still that change from opposition to the war to a full-scale call for vengeance must have been a bewildering one for the little people of the midwest, and they showed it in the incidents that led to establishing the North Platte Canteen.
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Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. History: American    4. Military - World War II    5. Nebraska    6. North Platte    7. Recreation    8. Soldiers    9. U.S. History - Post World War II Period    10. United States - 20th Century    11. United States Local History    12. Volunteer Work    13. War work    14. World War, 1939-1945    15. History / Military / World War II   

Editorial Review

These are indeed cynical times. But to hide behind the smugness of cynicism is a kind of self-imposed death sentence, explains writer and social commentator Paul Loeb. In fact, now is the ideal time for gathering all our strengths and wisdom as spiritual beings and applying ourselves to shaping a better world, he claims. Read more

Reviews (36)

A must read if you believe in service to others
Paul is an outstanding voice in our world. Fantastic book helping bring hope to a difficult time for those of us who aspire to service. It is a challenge to keep engaged in service and Paul does provide hope. I also appreciate his newsletter and recommend it to those who appreciate his work. Great insights.

Every citizen must read
I read Soul of a citizen which inspired me to action.I am now a volunteer activist in my neighbourhood and have formed a group of concerned citizens to negotiate and participate in our city's development plan. We have made an impact in the corporation and even had a few small successes along the way.
tired of it
Must we indulge yet another collection of tripe in the guise of self-help? Didn't we get this sort of nonsense out of our systems a long time ago?
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Subjects:  1. Civics & Citizenship    2. Community    3. Community organization    4. Political Process - General    5. Politics / Current Events    6. Social Reform    7. Social Science    8. Social action    9. Social participation    10. Sociology    11. Sociology - General    12. United States    13. Volunteer Work    14. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    15. Social groups & communities    16. Sociology, Social Studies    17. Political    18. Social justice    19. Social Work    20. Human Services   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Non-Profit Organizations Management    5. Nonprofit Organizations & Charities    6. Private Welfare Work    7. Volunteer Work    8. Charities & voluntary services    9. Personnel & human resources management    10. Social Science / Volunteer Work   

Reviews (3)

MSF brings hope tot he most unimagineable Hell
I am a grade 10 student who recently used this book for an english project.I found this book to be highly insightful of MSF thoughts, goals and ideas.The book painted a bold picture that sends a impactful image of our world.It sheds lights on many projects MSF is currently working on and also makes you think of these people who give their lives for strangers in order to provide life.
Very Good Book
This book really helped putting the finishing touches on my sister's research projects about doctors without borders, especially since many books don't offer as many insights and pictures as this one.

impersonal and repetitive
I would say that Hope in Hell is a good read and an interesting book but I have to say that the style is very impersonal,very repetitive, very introductory and does not do justice to the many MSF volunteers who were interviewed for the book.Read more

Subjects:  1. International Organizations    2. Ngos (Non-Governmental Organizations)    3. Political Advocacy    4. Political Science    5. Politics / Current Events    6. Politics/International Relations    7. Public Policy - Social Services & Welfare    8. Volunteer Work    9. Accident & emergency medicine    10. Disaster medicine    11. Doctors without Borders (Association)    12. First aid & paramedical services    13. Physicians    14. Political Science / NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations)   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (13)

The Cathedral Within
At first I thought the book was too preachy, but forged on and found it lively and rewarding, especially the examples of entreprenurial approaches to building nonprofit organizations and foundations.

spectacularly vacuous
The actual content of the book can be summarized thusly:(1) spend more time with kids if you want to affect their development, (2) don't starve young children because otherwise they won't develop properly physically and mentally, (3) run your not-for-profit enterprise just like a for-profit corporation and with just as much of a zeal for profits, except that you can put the profits into your own pocket as salary instead of paying it out to a bunch of shareholders and to the Federales as income tax. Right on the mark
This is a book that touches the heart of both important social issues and the reader. Written in a wonderfully open style the author writes from a perspective of sharing rather than preaching. Bill Shore's approach of tying his view of how the issues of today's society can be most effectively addressed to his personal experiences, rather than theory and conjecture, brings substantial credibility to his writings.Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. General    4. Philanthropists    5. Philanthropy & Charity    6. Social Science    7. Sociology    8. United States    9. Volunteer Work    10. Volunteer workers in social se    11. Volunteer workers in social service    12. Women    13. Women in charitable work    14. Current Events / General   

Editorial Review

Max De Pree, former CEO of Herman Miller and author of two bestselling books that look at business in a decidedly nontraditional manner, now turns his attention to nonprofits and the way they bring out the best in people. Read more

Reviews (3)

Wisdom for any leader who wishes to endure
De Pree presents a philosophy that while in many ways is timeless, is never a cliche. His emphasis upon people, their potential, and the elements present in strong, enduring organizations, will appeal to leaders working in any industry.De Pree offers the reader refreshing thoughts about the importance of service to others in an era of forgotten virtues.It is one of the most elegant and inspiring books I have come across lately.

Powerful Leadership for Nonprofit Organizations!
Max De Pree continues to bless us with his insightful books on leadership. In this book he helps us to realize that leading without power works bestwhen it is a movement that is being led, and when leaders focus not onsuccess, but on building a legacy.When we are trying to build a legacy webecome competent in establishing and maintaining relationships.A truelegacy establishes and sustains an enduring direction. A great guide to leading with vision and not sight.
After having read "Leadership is an Art", and "Leadership Jazz", I didn't have an idea that this book would have such a significant impact on my thoughts.Working for a non-profit, this book issuch a wonderful guide about what it takes to lead an organization that ismore concerned about people and less about profit.This doesn't mean thatprofit is not important, but what the author does say is that there is aconsiderable amount of heart and soul that goes into the non-profit sector.I especially recommend the section entitled "What shall wemeasure."DePree looks at key indicators from a perspective thatshould be imitated by any company that really wants to captivate itscustomers and employees.The explanation about the difference between a"movement" and "organization" is also spectacular. Agreat guide for the future. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Business/Economics    3. Community    4. Community development    5. Leadership    6. Management - General    7. Non-Profit Organizations Management    8. Nonprofit organizations    9. Social Science    10. Sociology - General    11. United States    12. Voluntarism    13. Volunteer Work    14. Business & Economics / Leadership    15. Management & management techniques   

Reviews (3)

so many amazing things to do and so little time!!!!
"The book is bland as far as pictures go...but the info inside makes up for it entirerly! The layout is basic & straight foreward but the websites on each particular job provide pics & other info for interested volunteers. There's a lot more international opportunities in it than in the book "The Back Door Guide to Short Term Job Adventures". I love how the book sorts the jobs by cost, length, season, location & type!" I am volunteering in Africa this September with an organization that I saw in this book. I am soooo excited!!!!

OPEN SOME NEW DOORS IN YOUR LIFE
Having spent the past seven years volunteer travelling around the world for my vacations, I can honestly attest to the fact that this extremely helpful reference book was my starting point for research into the culturally-enriching, service-oriented travel experiences which have changed my life. Provided inside this handy book are the names of the volunteer organizations which arrange and organize the travel, listings of the type of volunteer work and skills required and all of the necessary logistics. (Actually the only skill often required is a desire to serve and to learn.) A great resource for anyone who wants to be a volunteer.
This book covers all kinds of volunteerism, from ecologic to medical. From the USA to the far corners of the world. Not only does it contain volumes of information on agencies seeking volunteers, it also has a greatcross-referenced index, so that you can easily choose a "volunteervacation" to fit your interests, schedule, and your wallet. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Associations, institutions, etc.    2. Directories    3. Non-Profit Organizations Management    4. Nonprofit Organizations & Charities    5. Personal Growth - Success    6. Special Interest - General    7. Travel    8. Travel - General    9. Travel Guides    10. Vacations    11. Voluntarism    12. Volunteer Work    13. Living & working abroad    14. TRAVEL & HOLIDAY    15. Travel / Special Interest / General   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Career/Job    3. Careers - General    4. Directories    5. Sociology    6. Special Interest - Adventure    7. Special Interest - Ecotourism    8. Volunteer Work    9. Welfare Work Of Charitable Institutions   

Editorial Review

You'd have to have a heart of stone not to be moved by the opening story of Representative John Kasich's Read more

Reviews (12)

Um, I have dystonia..
I'm delighted he has written about TWO dystonia patients...but I want everyone to know that there are over 300,000 of us out here, and dystonia takes many different forms.Most of us do not die..but it would be wonderful to be able to have a bit of dignity when we go out in public! We're not monsters....in fact, the nastiest part of dystonia is that the people it afflicts are invariably of above average intelligence.

It takes Courage and a good editor
You get a big morale booster after reading this book (and also a guilty conscience!).The stories are very inspirational, and you realize how much better this world would be if everybody felt like these ordinary heroes.However, the writing style is quite simple, and takes away from the substance.This book needed a good editor to polish the style and give it more of a shine.

Celebrating Everyday American Heroes
In "Courage is Contagious," Republican Ohio Congressman - and author - John Kasich presents short stories of U.S. citizens who have performed extraordinarily to improve their communities and the lives of others. As Kasich says, "The most wonderful thing about the heroes in this book is that they are really just ordinary people who one day decided to act."Read more

Subjects:  1. American    2. Case studies    3. Helping behavior    4. Private Welfare Work    5. Social Science    6. Sociology    7. United States    8. Voluntarism    9. Volunteer Work    10. American history: postwar, from c 1945 -    11. Current Events / American    12. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    13. USA   

Reviews (4)

I learned more than I already knew about my own job!
I've been a grantmaker for approximately five years now. During the course of my on-the-job training, I've heard certain maxims over and over again until they've become ingrained in my mind and in my responses to applicants for grant funds -- now, after reading this book, I actually understand the philosophies behind them. An Outstanding Contributation
Dr. Joel Orosz continues his tireless efforts on behalf of philanthropy and those interested in philanthropy in his current book. Don't give away another dollar until you've read this
It's an art, it's a science, and it doesn't need to be a mystery -- since there's no academic training for a career in philanthropy (it's harder than you think!) Insider Orosz bridges the gap with this warm and rewardingUser's Guide. Read more

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Charities    3. Endowments    4. Finance    5. Fund Raising And Grants (General)    6. Nonprofit Organizations & Charities    7. Philanthropy & Charity    8. Research grants    9. Small Business - Capital Generation    10. Social Science    11. Sociology    12. Subsidies    13. Volunteer Work    14. Welfare Work Of Charitable Institutions    15. Business & Economics / Nonprofit Organizations & Charities    16. Charities & voluntary services    17. Non-profitmaking organizations   

Reviews (4)

Interesting look at the history of fires
I bought this book for my brother (a volunteer firefighter) for Christmas and when I received it I could not help but take a peek at it myself.
Over 500 photos capture key moments in fire history
Jack Gottschalk's Firefighting is a lavish coffee table title which provides a rich documentary of the history of firefighting, from early technological accomplishments which created fire-fighting equipment to modern times. Over 500 photos capture key moments in fire history around the world, while special insights on the science and physics of fires makes for an excellent survey of fire-fighting challenges.

65 of history's greatest fires
Or would that be "disasters!"
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Subjects:  1. Civilization    2. Disasters & Disaster Relief    3. Fire extinction    4. Fire fighting    5. Fires    6. General    7. History    8. History: World    9. Juvenile literature    10. Technology & Industrial Arts    11. Volunteer Work    12. History / Historiography