Books & Ideas

The Road Less Traveled By

In his 2022 book, John Lepp details the “creative deviations” that make for truly compelling direct mail.

The farmer hand-feeds his hens with grain. Natural organic farming concept
Conservative Economics and Humble Pie

A reflection on Oren Cass and Jeremy Beer’s conversation on the rising costs of flourishing in America.


A Country Built on Bookshops

Dr. Evan Friss’s 2024 book emphasizes the key part bookshops play in forming American civil society.

Lights hitting the floor from the window inside the building and a boy walking in the light. The child walks with his head down. A photo with shadows. Taken indoors in daylight with a full frame camera.
The Devastation of a Generation

In a 2021 episode of the Givers, Doers, & Thinkers podcast, Jeremy Beer and Jonathan Haidt discuss the effects of the coddling of Generation Z. Four years later, where do we stand?


A Review of “The Greatest Gift”

Sean and Jill Maher’s newly published book lays out nine principles for building a philanthropic family and creating a legacy of giving.

Pedestrian passing street, rainy weather, New York, USA (B&W)
Christmas, Auggie Wren, and Being Ready for the Unexpected

“If you don’t take the time to look, you’ll never manage to see anything.”


Talk to the Elephant: The Power of Emotional Giving

In his new book, Jeremy Beer unpacks the psychology of giving and how nonprofits can tap into donors’ most potent motivators.

No such thing as “work-life balance”: A review of Full-Time: Work and the Meaning of Life

David Bahnsen dismantles America’s flawed understanding of work and argues that work is fundamental to leading a productive and meaningful life.


Cover of Cal Newport's book Slow Productivity covering importance of deep work in fundraising
Slow Productivity in action

In his new book, Cal Newport emphasizes the importance and impact of slowing down at work.

Donors joining together to support social repairers; A Donor’s Guide to Rebuilding Our Communities One Zip Code at a Time
Supporting Social Repairers: A Donor’s Guide to Rebuilding Our Communities One Zip Code at a Time

In a new book, Seth Kaplan provides donors with a useful road map for supporting the men and women working to rebuild communities through a “sideways approach” to building relationships.




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