American Awakening

Eight Principles to Restore the Soul of America

By: John Kingston, David Brooks - foreword, Anne Snyder - foreword

Narrated by: John Kingston

Length: 6 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

A healthy and united America—perhaps a country more united than it has ever been—is truly possible, and it starts with us. John Kingston draws on wisdom from history, science, faith, and culture, along with his own experiences, to offer eight principles for discovering purpose, meaning, and true community.

We live in the greatest peace and prosperity that the world has ever known, but Americans are feeling more division, isolation, depression, and despair than ever before. These are issues of the soul. We seem unable to find purpose and meaning. We can't find "the life that is truly life"—a vibrant and purpose-filled way of living best experienced together.

From his youth, Kingston has always carried a vision for a free and united America. With an approachable and conversational style, as well as a dash of humor, Kingston draws on a diverse and compelling collection of wisdom—the parables of the Bible and the philosophy of Aristotle, the legacy of Nelson Mandela and the speeches of Abraham Lincoln, the songs of Bruce Springsteen and current studies from the best neuro and social scientists today—to remind us that there is no "them", there is only us, and we're in this together.

In American Awakening, Kingston offers eight timeless principles for breaking through this darkness and despair and cultivating a radical togetherness, both here in this country and around the globe. You'll discover the profound impact of:

• In-person connection
• Making more from less
• Discovering purpose
• Redeeming adversity
• Responding instead of reacting
• Finding your unique sense of belonging

Wherever you find yourself politically or spiritually, a healthy and united America starts with you. Join the Awakening movement and let's rediscover who we are—together.

©2020 John Kingston (P)2020 Zondervan

The most important book of 2020

When I saw the title for this book, I thought it was going to be about politics, racial tensions, or maybe even philosophically about the direction of our country. I was only sort of right. Instead, the subtitle of the book, restoring the Soul of America, is at the core a book about our national identity in this moment and throughout our history. Our unity in love is the essential element of this extraordinarily timely book. While not quoted in Mr. Kingston‘s book, the words of Henry Blackaby “God never uses anyone greatly until he tests them deeply,” are highly applicable. This book not only tells of the personal journey that led to the origins of this book, John’s own soul-searching, but also of the many other soul searches, friendships, and nation shaping stories we need to hear. If you only read one book this year, make it this one.

Very current and well written!

This quote summarizes it well! "We can't merely forget our past and throw away our broken pieces in some remote forest. Things have happened to each one of us. The broken parts of our lives can become the most beautiful aspects of who we are if we are willing to pick up the pieces and bind them back together with strength, passion, and ingenuity. This is a true for you and me as individuals as it is for our community and our country. We're broken but we can be stronger and more beautiful than we've ever been. We can choose unity."