The Impossible Will Take a Little While: A Citizen's Guide to Hope in a Time of Fear

Review about condition of book: back cover bent in half - cannot be smoothed

Let’s face it: the past 15 years have been tough for America. A stolen presidential election, terrorist attacks, two stock market crashes, one resulting in a global financial crisis, elective wars, the futile war on drugs, political gridlock, FOX News, rising inequality, rising healthcare costs, and on and on.There is no shortage of narratives to explain how we got here. James Howard Kunstler’s is one of my favorites. However, as pessimistic as I am, I think it’s irresponsible for anyone to tell us that social, economic and environmental collapse are inevitable. None of us has a crystal ball.What we are in short supply of is reason for hope, and that is what Paul Loeb gives us in the timely revised edition of his reader-friendly anthology The Impossible Will Take a Little While. Feeling beyond hope? There’s a whole section on that. Looking for a good quote? The book is full of them. Here’s one from Cornell West: “To live is to wrestle with despair yet never allow despair to have the last word.” Not in the mood for an essay? The book includes great poetry by Rumi, Marge Piercy, W.H. Auden, and many others. And don’t forget to read Paul’s always thoughtful section introductions.As I write this, the Seattle political establishment has just released a plan - mirabile dictu - for a $15/hour minimum wage. Let’s not give up quite yet. As Paul says, let’s “think of some small way to act” in service of what we believe.I plan to keep this book on our nightstand, and read it regularly. I suggest you do the same.

In this book Paul Loeb provides a number of inspirational stories of how to deal with difficulties in life, both personal and on a national and global scale. I found it interesting reading but a little too idealistic. Evil exists and it won't go away ever. I have tried in my own life to accomplish, as an American, the impossible (promote peace, equality and kindness) and have found at the age of 78 that it is truly impossible, except in isolated cases. I am more inspired by the words of Mahatma Gandhi: "We must become the change we want to see in the world" and "You have to do the right thing...You may never know the results that come from your action...Glory lies in the attempt to reach one's goal, and not in reaching it.

A lot of people today are suffering from "well-informed futility" syndrome. They understand there are big problems in the world but feel helpless to make a dent. This book is an antidote. It gives realistic but inspiring examples of people who have made a difference.One thing I really liked and think is very important is that it makes it clear a lot of good is done by ordinary people. You don't need to be Nelson Mandela. And, even the great ones rely on a lot of support from others.Also, progress often comes unexpectedly -- but after a lot of preparatory work.So, it is important for each of us to do what we can. This book is a good inspiration to do so.

I loved every inch of this sizable volume. Incredible wisdom from all of the justice leaders of recent and not-so-recent times. Culturally and religiously diverse, pearls of insight at every turn of the page. I've given it to numerous peace studies students of mine and will go on recommending and using it to enrich conversations intended to prosper a justice in which more voices are included, heard and respected, and peace is more than a fantasy - it's a possibility.

Required reading for my graduate social work program. A wonderful collection of excerpts from noted leaders and changemakers like Nelson Mandela, Dan Savage, Sherman Alexie, Martin Luther King, Jr., Bill Moyers, Pablo Neruda, and Desmond Tutu among many others. This book is organized into clear sections that follow the hope of changing the world through day-to-day interactions, as well as large-scale social justice movements (like in LGBT obstacles, Keystone XL pipeline, apartheid South Africa, Arab Spring, and the Czech Velvet Revolution), This book is meant to inspire hope in people who want change or need help navigating in a corrupt system.

So far a great read! I picked this book out when I began a new chapter in my career and knew there was a lot of work to be done. I needed inspiration from people who have persevered in the face of much, much, much greater challenges, and this book has done the trick! I enjoy reading the stories before bed to set my mind on a positive and can-do intention.

The most inspiring stories you have ever read. They are all real life stories for many people who suffered a lot but kept the flame of hope. It made me cry many times, and made me smile even more.I had to buy this book as a requirement for my English 95 class, but after the class has finished, I decided to keep the book within my collection.

A book of articles written by amazing/challenging/inspiring people. Some you will have heard of, others will be new to you. Everyone has a story to tell, everyone is trying to make the world a better place and that is captivating.