Fierce Love

A Bold Path to Ferocious Courage and Rule-Breaking Kindness That Can Heal the World

By: Dr. Jacqui Lewis

Narrated by: Dr. Jacqui Lewis

Length: 7 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

A healing antidote to our divisive culture, full of evocative storytelling, spiritual wisdom, and nine essential daily practices - by the first female, Black senior minister at the historic Collegiate Churches of New York.

“Fierce Love teaches us that with spiritual faith we can transcend the darkest moments and come through stronger.” (Gabrielle Bernstein, number one New York Times best-selling author of The Universe Has Your Back)

We are living in a world divided. Race and ethnicity, caste and color, gender and sexuality, class and education, religion and political party have all become demographic labels that reduce our differences to simplistic categories in which “we” are vehemently against “them”. But Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis’ own experience - of being the first female and first Black minister in her church’s history, of being in an interracial marriage, and of making peace with childhood abuse - illustrates that our human capacity for empathy and forgiveness is the key to reversing these ugly trends.

Inspired by the tenets of ubuntu - the Zulu philosophy that we are each impacted by the circumstances that impact those around us, and that the world won’t get better until we all get better - Fierce Love lays out the nine daily practices for breaking through tribalism and engineering the change we seek. From downsizing our emotional baggage to speaking truth to power to fueling our activism with joy, it demonstrates the power of small, morally courageous steps to heal our own lives, our posse, and our larger communities. Sharing stories that trace her personal reckoning with racism as well as the arc of her journey to an inclusive and service-driven faith, Dr. Lewis shows that kindness, compassion, and inclusive thinking are muscles that can be exercised and strengthened. With the goal of mending our inextricable human connection, Fierce Love is a manifesto for all generations: a bighearted, healing antidote to our rancorous culture.

©2021 Jacqueline J. Lewis (P)2021 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“A powerful antidote to the tribalism that is wrecking our country and poisoning our souls, Fierce Love is a welcome moral North Star for readers everywhere.” (Van Jones, New York Times best-selling author of Beyond the Messy Truth and CNN political contributor)

“With this book, Jacqui Lewis made me see the world in a different way - as a place where we can live our lives fully, tell our stories honestly, and love one another fiercely.” (Paul Tough, New York Times best-selling author of How Children Succeed) 

“I have never felt at home in any church as I have in Middle Church - a vibrant, multiracial, multicultural community in the heart of New York City. Now Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis gives us her ingredients to building a beloved community with fierce love. Drawing from raw, vulnerable, and brave coming-of-age stories, she invites us into her ministry to ‘Love. Period.’ This book is radical, just, and joyous. Just like Middle Church. Just like Jacqui Lewis.” (Valarie Kaur, author of See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love) 

WOW! I Just feel SO GOOD after reading this.

The different ways that Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis described love was so AMAZING. I love the concept of love and too see the way she talked about it AND gave examples from her own life was just beautiful. "The Spirit of Ubuntu" is what keep reminding myself about everyday. How can I Love Fiercely everyday? As a Black Queer Woman entering into ministry, this book touched my heart in so many ways. Thank you for chapter 6. it was my favorite. I recommend all people read this because I promise it was change you for the better

Authentic, realistic, hopeful & beautiful

Authentic biography.
Realistic mirror of life.
Hopeful shepherding for how to speak truth & live in fierce love.
Beautifully connected through the sound & emotion of the author’s voice.

A Must Read

Jacqui Lewis has become one of my favorite people on this crazy planet! Her insight, her heart, her humor and her intelligence make this a very important book, especially at this time. Here's to living life with fierce love from here on out!

Loved!

The author caught me immediately . I loved every minute of this spellbinding book.

How to Love

Rev Jacqui Lewis gives us personal stories, healthy psychology and
Godly theology to teach us Nine Ways to Love in this world. It is for those
who want to grow in their life's journey and in their relationships. Enjoy!

Universal and Deep Gratitude!

Thank you for sharing your whole heart with me and the world! You’re speaking directly to me, and I hear your bold stance Sister! You have affirmed my calling to be part of the L❤️VE army!

Disappointed - new age

Thought this was going to be a balanced book but instead new age about those that are “woke” and the ones that aren’t “woke”.
Love God first, not self, and then everything else comes together. God helps to give self love.

so very grateful

So very grateful for the words, the wisdom and the inspiration. This was a much needed message for me needing support in keeping my heart open and my actions pure.

What the world needs!

Rev. Jacqui Lewis has brought all of her insight and power to bear in this important piece of work, which knits together personal narrative, psychological and spiritual wisdom, religious truth and a plan for social environmental healing. Thank you!