I am honoured announce that this week, my book Save Your City has been featured on the front page of the British Columbia Review, a journal devoted to the literature, arts, culture, and society. This recognition is a highlight in a year of surging interest for the book, which continues to resonate widely following its fifth-anniversary edition release in April 2024.
In his detailed and powerful British Columbia Review of the book— titled "Where is civility going?"—renown political philosopher, professor, and author of 40 books, Ron Dart emphasizes the urgency of Save Your City’s message.
Professor Dart writes:
“Diane has been in the thick of the fray for many a decade, hence her book is acutely aware of the low culture that dominates much public discourse.”
Dart describes the book as “realism at its most focused and engaged,” urging readers to heed its call to restore civility and protect our communities before it’s too late.
Diane knows of what she speaks because of where she sees from. We do well to heed her vision and committed activism.
He also notes that Save Your City draws from Classical education and the wisdom of history, providing readers with both cautionary lessons and a hopeful path forward.
This feature comes on the heels of several five-star reviews and widespread recognition.
Kirkus Reviews praised the book as “a well-researched guidebook for encouraging civic-mindedness”, providing a "harrowing survey of how the decay of civic norms has contributed to governmental (virtually any and all levels of government) inability to address pressing problems of climate change, growing inequity, housing, etc."
Literary Titan says Save Your City "functions as both a mirror reflecting societal challenges and a roadmap guiding individuals and communities toward constructive change—an essential read for those seeking to understand and engage in the rejuvenation of democratic values and community cohesion."
Thomas E. Brymer, a Texan 40-year city manager, civic literacy advocate & author commended the book for offering “thought-provoking alternatives” to toxic thinking, calling it “a must-read for all committed to democracy.”
Daniel Fletcher, an Australian civic leader, described it as “a manifesto for meaningful grassroots change"; a "must-read for every current or aspiring public administrator"; and "easily the most user-friendly, contemporary, and relevant battle cry against the creeping venom of toxic culture that’s eating away at the fabric of our communities."
Save Your City at the Global Civility Summit
This year, I organized the inaugural Global Civility Summit, which took place last week on October 10th, bringing together 450 civic leaders from around the world to share ideas, strategies, and wisdom on "tackling toxicity" and "cultivating civility."
The full insights and collective wisdom garnered in the Summit will be released in parts—the first part this week in "City Hall Under Siege: Survey Highlights Threat of Incivility on Local Government". Furthermore,
Seventy Summit civic leaders completed the full Roadmap to Renewing Civic Culture, a personalized civic culture transformation plan contained in the book Save Your City, while 186 others initiated their plans.
Many others are continuing their journey through my Cultivating Civility Masterclass: Empowering Civil Leadership for Uncivil Times, a program designed to provide ongoing support and practical application of these ideas.
Congratulations to Julie Kirkelos, Director of Legislative Services & Town Clerk, The Corporation of the Town of Lincoln for winning the a copy of Save Your City at the Summit!
🎥You can access summit recordings and learn more here.
And finally...
The interest in Save Your City has been entirely grassroots—no PR teams or publicists—by readers who care deeply about turning the tide on toxic culture and cultivating thriving civil cultures in their communities.
If the book has resonated with you, I’d be grateful if you could leave a review on Amazon here. Your feedback helps grow the civility movement!
Together, we can cultivate civility—one leader, one citizen, one city, one act of civility at a time!
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