In 1992, Samuel Mockbee launched the Rural Studio to create homes and community buildings for the poor while offering hands-on architecture training for coming generations. This new book explains the changes the studio has undergone since his death.176 pp.

"Proceed With Passion: Engaging Students in Meaningful Education is filled with bold approaches to giving students the ingredients they most lack in their schooling--a sense of purpose, a reason for wanting to learn and, ultimately, a passion to help others." --Arianna Huffington "Schools and environmental organizations need young people like Anna Cummins with the intelligence and commitment to get things done. Her two chapters in this book are a welcome addition to the eco canon." --Jeremy Jackson "The title of this book captures Emily Cummins's life and work--passion and engagement in meaningful service." --Claudia Villegas-Avalos "Our educational system badly needs some bold thinking. Paul Cummins's vision of what American education could be is imaginative and inspiring." --Howard Zinn

This very large 465 page book is actually 2 separate but closely related books bound together as one — an inspirational novel and a thought-provoking philosophy book. Together they tell the story of a bold and visionary group of people creating a highly advanced prototype community and way of life based upon applying a philosophy that believes in human potential rather than supernatural forces, helps individuals self-actualize, promotes values and responsibility for SELF, SOCIETY, & ENVIRONMENT; and creates harmonious communities in which human potential flourishes. This results in happy people doing great things and achieving a tremendous sense of enjoyment and accomplishment in the process (something we all seek). As the story unfolds, a bright progressive group of people in Colorado adopt this new philosophy, become part of the Potentialist Movement, and focus on how to fund and develop this highly advanced community. To meet the challenge, the founder (Freeman Valor Smith) convinces the Hollywood producer (Steven Spielman) that the story would make a good film, thus ingeniously getting the producer to make the development of the project possible by funding its construction as part of the cost of production. So the project gets underway. But the powerful editor of the local newspaper (Norman Sully) has a deep grudge against the founder and plans to totally disrupt the group's efforts — so he hires an attractive undercover reporter (Serene St. Haven) to infiltrate the group and dig up as much dirt as possible. But a romance ensues between the reporter and the founder that changes the situation dramatically. So the editor takes drastic measures on his own to sabotage the project. What results is an intricate web of romance, treachery, intrigue, and inspiration. With great courage, this resourceful group of Potentialists overcomes all obstacles and a BOLD NEW WORLD is created which shows what people with the right values in the right environment can accomplish.