This is one man's look at how we believes that violence over the history of man has declined. He backs his position up with many graphs and maps. This is an interesting book about the history of violance.

What an inspiring and uplifting book. The forward by the hardworking and generous President Jimmy Carter sets the tone for this eye opening book about the gifts of giving back through Habitat for Humanity. I read stories of true human heart and kindness, and it instilled the value of giving back to communities. What an amazing organization, and heartwarming book.

A very heartwarming book written by the CEO of Habitat for Humanity.
Includes many encouraging and inspiring stories of people who came from nothing but happily worked together with others to better themselves through hard work building and repairing homes.
"Having witnessed people beat back the storms of life, Reckford came to see how we can all find our better selves by tapping into seven old-fashioned virtues—kindness, generosity, community, empowerment, respect, joy, and service.With a separate chapter devoted to each of these seven virtues, Reckford introduces us to remarkable people Habitat has served"
You will feel encouraged in life as you read this.

Published October 8th 2019 by St. Martin's Essentials.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

OUR BETTER ANGELS

There are two ways of looking at Habitat for Humanity CEO Jonathan Reckford’s book, Our Better Angels: Seven Simple Virtues That Will Change Your Life and the World. The first is that it is a book that aims to share with a broader audience Habitat for Humanity’s mission and advocacy. The second is that it is an exposition of secular values that altogether would make for a meaningful life philosophy.

The book is arguably more successful as the former than the latter.

The basic structure of Our Better Angels is straightforward: a chapter each dedicated to one of the seven virtues of kindness, community, empowerment, joy, respect, generosity, and service, brought to life with two to three stories from a Habitat for Humanity project that highlights that virtue in action. In this way, readers are exposed to Habitat for Humanity’s mission and the various ways their volunteers are making a difference in their beneficiaries’ lives.

Yet even setting aside the reasonable criticism that the stories are overdramatized for effect (your mileage will vary), the seven virtues Reckford identifies don’t really add up to a coherent philosophy. Nor are they necessarily conceptually distinct: for example, it could be argued, at the risk of splitting hairs, that kindness, generosity, and service are synonymous with one another. In that sense, there’s really not much more to Our Better Angels than stories about these seven secular virtues that people would do well to practice, because the world could use a little more of each.

Which, by itself is not a bad reason to read the book. Yes, Reckford’s writing inclines towards the saccharine, and, no, there is no deeper metaphysical discussion about the seven virtues he identifies. But Our Better Angels will let readers learn a little (or a lot) about Habitat for Humanity, and will also possibly warm the heart of even the most hardened among them.

If the book accomplishes either or both, that wouldn’t be a bad thing now, would it?

A very sweet, feel-good collection of stories that highlight values that make a difference. Focused on the many ways Habitat for Humanity makes a difference for residents, volunteers, and community, its message is really about what humans can do for each other.

Sometimes the basic virtues - kindness, generosity, respect, empowerment, community, joy, and service - are forgotten. They should not be and this book tells why. Complete with inspirational stories that will touch any reader and spark amazing transformations.
Recommended for any reader. However, this book will really touch those who are at a point in their life when hope feels lost. Alas, it is not. Read this book to learn the essence of what President Carter meant when he said - “When the waters rise, so do our better angels.”

Before reading this book, I thought I had a fairly good idea of what Habitat for Humanity was all about. I mean, they build houses for folks that need them, right? And the new homeowners have to contribute "sweat equity." I get it.

But this book opened my eyes to the fact that Habitat for Humanity does so much more than that. They build communities, restore families, inspire young people, facilitate reconciliations, and create legacies.

This book tells about various families around the world that Habitat has helped, and the volunteers whose lives were changed by the experience.

Before the book was finished, I found myself looking up my local Habitat for Humanity online to see if they had a project I could participate in. (Unfortunately, they didn't!)

If you're looking for a book that highlights the good that's in this world, look no further. I highly recommend spending some time with Our Better Angels. You won't be sorry!

This book was written by the CEO of Habitat for Humanity. There are aspects of the book that I really liked and disliked. For me, the book was written in simple language that felt a little light to me. It's hard to pinpoint exactly what it was, but that style of writing is a little distracting to me. It feels dumbed down or something.Secondly, which can be a negative or positive depending on the reader, I felt that it concentrated less on the virtues and more on Habitat for Humanity. On a good note, there were many positives too. I really enjoyed hearing more of the history of Habitat for Humanity. I have thought about getting involved before so I appreciated learning more about this ministry. I enjoyed reading the stories of the different individuals, who ranged from homeowners to volunteers, and hearing how these virtues touched their lives. I also liked that it gave info on how to get involved with Habitat if you desire to.

Habitat for Humanity is a wonderful organization and this books lives up to the legacy of this organization. By telling powerful stories resulting from the reach of this organization, this book provides inspiration and encouragement for its readers. The true stories within its pages give illustration of seven virtues Habitat for Humanity is a model example of, and sparks readers to put these virtues into practice in their own lives. An easy, but great read!

This book, written by the organization’s CEO, Jonathan Rickford, details some of the history and works of the Habitat for Humanity program and includes some stories about those who have benefited from the program worldwide. Mr. Rickford uses seven virtues to bring out these stories of those people Habitat for Humanity has helped throughout the years. Some of the stories show the successes the people with the homes have achieved, due, in a large part, to the homes they have received. The areas where the houses are built often are filled with disdain and anger toward these interlopers, but, working closely and carefully throughout, the staff and leaders of the Habitat for Humanity manage to usually bring the groups around them “into the fold” of this beautiful organization. This message of love for fellowman or woman as well as of character, acceptance and respect for each other resonates throughout. This is a good read for anyone who is searching for meaning in their lives or who is interested in helping not only those around the but throughout the world. It may just help people who read it to come together, something we all need in this troubled, divided world. Finally, the book is refreshing after all the murder, mystery, selfishness, and such we all encounter daily. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

This is an inspirational book filled with some amazing stories of lives turned around by love and generosity. It's a book I suggest anyone read before starting a Habitat build or doing other kinds of volunteering. Keep in mind that the stories are just about people who volunteer for or are homeowners of Habitat houses. One of the most famous volunteers is President Jimmy Carter, who features a lot in the book. Nonetheless, the scope and breadth of Habitat's work around the globe can fill volumes.

Our Better Angels, written by the CEO of Habitat for Humanity, is an uplifting, feel-good read. If you have ever doubted that one person can make a difference in the world, you need to read this book!

Broken into chapters by the seven virtues of kindness, generosity, community, empowerment, respect, joy and service, the book is filled with stories of individuals and families who have benefitted from being part of the Habitat for Humanity experience. The positive ripple effect of helping just one person is in full force in these stories. The difference made in lives, by giving hope and dignity where none had existed, by showing what can be accomplished when one person reaches out, by working together, by giving back, not only impacted the individuals involved, but spread to all those around them when they saw what was possible.

Ripples grow into resounding waves. Everyone can make a difference. Do something!

Favorite quotes from President Jimmy Carter in the Foreword:
"Ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things."
"Anytime people come together in common purpose, miracles happen."

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

With a moving forward by President Jimmy Carter, this is the story of how Habitat for Humanity began. Telling inspiring stories of the many people impacted by the program who then go on to live the seven virtues which Reckford puts forward, one at a time.

Beginning with the easiest virtue, kindness. Sometimes we don't see the 'reward' of a kind act. Because the reward is a kind act. Kindness can be a chain reaction that leads to Community, Empowerment, Joy, Respect, Generosity, and Service. It's rather inspiring to read the stories of people whose lives were touched by a kind act, which empowered them to act and pass it forward and succeed.

President Carter has set the bar for humanitarian works. In his 90's he is still building, spreading kindness and being of service to people here and abroad. Giving people hope and setting an example. 

He has always been a special man. My father campaigned for him and he was the first President I voted for. Fellow Georgian. His family has always been dedicated to service. I really loved Reckford's own story and the people he interacted with. What an inspiration they all were. My husband and I have worked on a few homes for Habitat and it was the most rewarding thing we have ever done.

I hope with this book everyone will find common ground and agree on what path we need to be following. Now I'm grabbing a hammer and helping my neighbor repair her fence. What are you going to do?

NetGalley/ October 8th, 2019 by St. Martin's Essentials

Very insightful look into the Habitant of Humanity. The people behind the scenes. Those who earn the houses. Those whose lives are better by being involved all around!

Wonderful collage of stories of people who have been involved with and those who have benefited from the Habitat for Humanity program. Uplifting stories of how the program changed lives. Many stories are focused on the international program and places most of us have never heard of.
Sometimes it was difficult to follow with all the foreign names, but you will get the general idea.
This would be a great gift book for anyone who is looking to help others or feel like they are drowning in their own issues and can see how helping others changed many of the people represented. A couple Kleenex to go with it probably would be good also! Enjoyable read.
I received this book as a complimentary copy for an unbiased review. The opinions expressed are my own. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Jonathon Reckford is the the CEO of Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that “helps people in your community and around the world build or improve a place they can call home.” Habitat for Humanity was found in 1976 in Americus, Ga and I guarantee that today there is a Habitat organization close to your home.

When we think of Habitat, we envision people getting together to build a house. Author Reckford also sees this, but he sees more. He sees the virtues that we gain, those better angels of our nature, by sharing together: kindness, generosity, community, empowerment, respect, joy and service. This book brings these virtues to life by sharing stories of people, whether the owners of a Habitat house, or a volunteer house builder who have changed and grown through Habitat.

These are feel-good, Chicken Soup for the Soul stories. As we “visit” building sites in the US and around the world, we learn that there is power in committed loving and caring. It’s inspiring to learn that an ordinary person with a tool-belt, or a mother who dreams of a better life her family can change the world. My favorite story was about salsa, and Eric, from Immokalee, Florida. The tomato farms of Immokalee produce most of the wintertime tomatoes for America. It’s a poor area. Eric’s family had qualified for a Habitat home. He and his high school classmates like him now had hope and they wanted to do more, something that would honor and help their community. So they came up with the idea of making and selling salsa! You will enjoy reading how this all unfolded and how it led to more dreams being realized.

This book is enjoyable and uplifting and would be a good gift. And who knows? Maybe you’ll want to pick up a hammer and start volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. Thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press Essentials for a digital review copy. This is my honest review.

Habitat for Humanity is an incredible organization, and I've been privileged to participate in home building for those in need. I was unaware of the involvement of President Carter and his wife with HforH, and it was interesting to hear the CEO and the principles he describes in the book. Definitely a worthwhile read!

This book is by the CEO of Habitat for Humanity and includes a foreward by former President Jimmy Carter who is actively engaged in the work of Habitat. The seven simple virtues covered in the book (each with its own chapter) are kindness, community, empowerment, joy, respect, generosity and service. The author uses stories from various clients of Habitat to expound on each of the virtues. It is a quick read.

This is the type of book that will not be everyone's cup of tea, but I found it enjoyable and the stories interesting.

I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon and my fiction book review blog. I also posted it to my Facebook page