Thomas Jefferson proposed that we revise the Constitution every so often, not just to reflect the changing times but to revive and perpetuate our original revolutionary spirit. Could it be that the Constitution itself is part of the reason that our democracy is on life support, our government gone haywire? To find out, the author, originator of the Socrates Café dialogues, sets off on a cross-country junket to engage Americans of all stripes in an offbeat constitutional convention. Given the opportunity to rewrite the Constitution, a diverse bunch from Burning Man die hards to army veterans, Tea Party acolytes to Orange County slackers, weighs in with some really wild and worthwhile ideas about how our nation should be governed. With Jefferson as his iconoclastic and visionary guide, the author moderates these discussions and complements his participants' ideas by relating them to Jefferson's own experiences with governance and to his great expectations for our democracy. This book is an account of how we might draw from our rebellious past to incite meaningful change today; it is a map for inspiring Jeffersonian activism by tapping into our timely (and timeless) concerns about the need to give our country's democratic framework a makeover.

"A bracing, rollicking read about the spark that ignites when people start asking meaningful questions." —O Magazine Christopher Phillips is a man on a mission: to revive the love of questions that Socrates inspired long ago in ancient Athens. "Like a Johnny Appleseed with a master's degree, Phillips has gallivanted back and forth across America, to cafés and coffee shops, senior centers, assisted-living complexes, prisons, libraries, day-care centers, elementary and high schools, and churches, forming lasting communities of inquiry" (Utne Reader). Phillips not only presents the fundamentals of philosophical thought in this "charming, Philosophy for Dummies-type guide" (USA Today); he also recalls what led him to start his itinerant program and re-creates some of the most invigorating sessions, which come to reveal sometimes surprising, often profound reflections on the meaning of love, friendship, work, growing old, and others among Life's Big Questions. "How to Start Your Own Socrates Café" guide included.

This practical handbook explains eight constitutional principles and applies them to real-world planning situations. These statements of principles reflect consensus opinions, but the book also discusses points of dissent. It includes detailed summaries of more than fifty U.S. Supreme Court cases affecting land-use planning, along with a comprehensive table of contents, a cross-referenced index, three matricies that relate sections of the book to one another, and a summary of constitutional principles that relates them to land-use planning techniques. All of these features make it easy to locate key constitutional principles quickly. This book is the result of a 1987 symposium that brought together two dozen leading practitioners and scholars in the fields of planning and law.

A celebration of African American cooking with 109 recipes from the National Museum of African American History and Culture's Sweet Home Café Since the 2016 opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, its Sweet Home Café has become a destination in its own right. Showcasing African American contributions to American cuisine, the café offers favorite dishes made with locally sourced ingredients, adding modern flavors and contemporary twists on classics. Now both readers and home cooks can partake of the café's bounty: drawing upon traditions of family and fellowship strengthened by shared meals, Sweet Home Café Cookbook celebrates African American cooking through recipes served by the café itself and dishes inspired by foods from African American culture. With 109 recipes, the sumptuous Sweet Home Café Cookbook takes readers on a deliciously unique journey. Presented here are the salads, sides, soups, snacks, sauces, main dishes, breads, and sweets that emerged in America as African, Caribbean, and European influences blended together. Featured recipes include Pea Tendril Salad, Fried Green Tomatoes, Hoppin' John, Sénégalaise Peanut Soup, Maryland Crab Cakes, Jamaican Grilled Jerk Chicken, Shrimp & Grits, Fried Chicken and Waffles, Pan Roasted Rainbow Trout, Hickory Smoked Pork Shoulder, Chow Chow, Banana Pudding, Chocolate Chess Pie, and many others. More than a collection of inviting recipes, this book illustrates the pivotal--and often overlooked--role that African Americans have played in creating and re-creating American foodways. Offering a deliciously new perspective on African American food and culinary culture, Sweet Home Café Cookbook is an absolute must-have.

While Malatesta was hiding from the police he regularly went to a cafe in Ancona, Italy. He had shaved off his usual beard but he was still taking a risk. Especially as this wasn't an anarchist cafe, but had a variety of customers including the local policeman. The conversations he had in this cafi became the basis for the dialogues that make up this book. For the first time in English, Malatesta, in his usual commonsense and matter-of-fact style, sets out and critically analyses the arguments for and against anarchism. Translated by Paul Nursey-Bray, this is a classic defence of anarchism that anticipates the rise of nationalism, fascism and communism.

An amusing young romance intersects with an underground freedom movement in a Soviet-style system that promised egalitarian utopia but devolved into a police state. Izzy, an attractive college senior, belongs to an underground freedom movement organizing against a repressive, yet poorly run, Marxist regime. She is challenged by the idea of recruiting Tom, an unlikely choice as a rising young star in the Party. But Izzy heard Tom may have hidden depths and could get inside information as an underground mole. He's also nice looking. Will their amusing and cautious interactions and gradual revelations develop into a deeper relationship of shared beliefs? Will increasing friction between the two marginally competent Party leaders finally provide an opportunity for the underground to take action? Will Tom be reunited with his capitalist parents whom he denounced as a child, and who are in a massive Gulag prison camp? The interwoven storylines are carefully paced. Appealing characters and background events develop with engaging and humorous dialogues and narratives, cultural and political satire, and serious commentary. Then events unfold with surprising twists and thriller scenes. Optional Book Club Questions Included. Clean romance, romantic comedy, political humor and satire, political intrigue and thriller, literary. Balance of key roles for women and men. An earlier edition was published as "Republic of Equality." The current edition has enhancements. PRAISE FOR UTOPIA CAFÉ: (prior edition before enhancements) "The characters are real ... descriptive prose and scenes are focused and vividly written; the political and historical points are compelling and manifold ... will resonate powerfully in the minds of contemporary readers." ROMUALD DZEMO, READERS' FAVORITE "You'll want to keep reading this book from chapter to chapter all the way through, and you'll enjoy the thought-provoking writing and humor along the way." CHRIS HOWSE, TURNING POINT USA "What is even more remarkable about this social commentary is how completely satisfyingly it explores a blooming romantic relationship ... brims with a non-intimidating intelligence ... quite an interesting storyteller." VINCENT DUBLADO, READERS' FAVORITE "Hejna's novel is adept at tackling touchy subjects like race relations head-on...An often blunt satirical tale that's genuinely edgy." KIRKUS REVIEWS "Readers will find themselves completely immersed in the book because of great story-building and characterization ... details are given in just the right amount at the right timing ... a good thoughtful read." RISAH SALAZAR, READERS' FAVORITE