ON CIVILITY: Restorative Reflections

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Pub Date 18 Aug 2020 | Archive Date 20 Aug 2020
Old Stone Press | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles

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Description

AUTHOR'S STATEMENT

This collection of poetry centers on my reflections of the concepts surrounding civility, and writing the poems has been restorative to me and to my understanding of this ancient concept.

Beginning with the traditional notion of manners and politeness (George Washington, Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior, 1744), and continuing to the more subtle concepts of compassion, dignity, human value, human worth, forgiveness, and self-dignity, this collection is an attempt to understand and explain a concept that has varied over time and through different cultures. The concept is often connected with civilization and civil because they share the same root word, but civility is more active, more basic, and more personal. “Being civil to one another is much more active and positive a good than mere politeness or courtesy,” (Robert B. Pippin, The Persistence of Subjectivity, 2005).

In order to fully comprehend civility, one must reevaluate the status quo and build on the ancient principles of the interdependence of human beings (Dalai Lama, Beyond Religion, 2011). Civility is therefore interconnected with compassion, justice and humanity.

An important research question when contemplating civility is, “When did human life become disposable, and can we reverse that belief?” As much as civility is typically associated with qualities such as politeness and the display of good manners, for contemporary social and political theorists it has increasingly come to represent civic virtues such as tolerance, non- discrimination and public reasonableness.

Civility is therefore “more” than good manners (Melanie White, An Ambivalent Civility, Canadian Journal of Sociology, 2006).

               ___________________________________________________________________________________

“Conflict is not the problem; conflict is the messenger.” ~ Tony Belak, Esquire, Mediator, Ombuds

AUTHOR'S STATEMENT

This collection of poetry centers on my reflections of the concepts surrounding civility, and writing the poems has been restorative to me and to my understanding of this ancient...


A Note From the Publisher

In his book On Civility: Restorative Reflections, John-Robert Curtin, Ph. D. explores the history and implications of "civility" in a a free verse poem.



About the Illustrator



Ying Kit Chan has presented his art work in over 200 exhibitions
in the United States as well as in Australia, Canada, Ecuador,
Germany, Korea, Japan, England, Hong Kong, Poland, Taiwan,
Italy, Switzerland and Portugal. He is presently a professor of art at
the University of Louisville.



Inspired by the deep ecology philosophy as well as Taoist and
Buddhist ideologies, his work celebrates the richness and diversity
of all life forms, and contemplates the interconnectivity and
harmony of our universe.



9781938462436 (eBook ISBN)

In his book On Civility: Restorative Reflections, John-Robert Curtin, Ph. D. explores the history and implications of "civility" in a a free verse poem.



About the Illustrator



Ying Kit Chan has...


Advance Praise

"A paean to civility that couldn’t come at a better time. 

"...Although civility may still have something to do with 'manners,' as the author sees it, the concept also encompasses 'compassion, dignity, human value, human worth, forgiveness, and self-dignity.' Overall, the book is both an exploration and a celebration of these fundamental values."
~ Kirkus Reviews

"John-Robert Curtin's On Civility is an insightful, instructive collection of poetry. ..

"Curtin’s prose poems are philosophical, drawing on his experiences with mediation and conflict resolution. They’re also concerned with self-help; many read like instructions or self-affirmations, placing emphasis on accepting responsibility and creating one’s own destiny. Incivility in the workplace, the strengths and failures of communication, and the power of listening are addressed in poems like “On Listening: A Gift of Compassion”:

Listening to understand is a gift that you can bestow
on others while you receive a tremendous
return on investment. I learn very little when I am
listening to respond and at best, I only amplify my own
ignorance as I convince myself of my own importance.

"Witty moments lighten the elsewhere heavy tone: one entry asks whether “converting oxygen to CO2 your primary purpose,” while another, “On Being Trumped or Chumped”—an apparent criticism of President Trump—is quick to integrate with the book’s overall theme. It makes the essential point that one person’s normal is another’s abnormal."
~ PETER DABBENE, ForeWord Reviews

"Your book of poems ON CIVILITY is a tribute to your life's work. It is wide in its scope and engaging in the images you 'paint' with your poems. Your poems are instructive as well; and provide both those of us professionally involved and the wider readership with an accessible and wide ranging essay on the very important challenge facing us all—how to be civil to each other in a pandemic. Well done.”
~ Professor Patrick Pietroni DSc (Hon), FRCP, FRCGP, MFPH, Director Darwin International Institute for the Study of Compassion (DIISC)

"Your book is wonderful! I really like the poetic voice, as well as the organization of the volume that carries the reader through from one act of contemplation to the next. Additionally, it's gorgeous, and the design suits the tone of the poems and the overall pacing of the book."
~ David Anderson, Ph.D.,Professor of English, University of Louisville, Board Member of The University Press Kentucky.

"We are the culture in the Petri dish called Earth, and that shared reality requires individuals to perform and act autonomously yet cooperatively. J-R’s reflections for essential human affiliation can detoxify and reclaim relationships too often allowed to go unmaintained."
~ TONY BELAK, Esquire, Mediator Ombuds

"… A beautifully crafted and insightful book which holds your attention and encourages reflection and introspection on the path through life and the people we meet along the way. Highly relevant in these times (COVID-19 and US riots) in developing a personal philosophy of actually and actively listening to bring about change..’"
~ Dr. Paul Quantock, Chairman, The Foundation for Entrepreneurial Participation, Hull, E Riding of Yorkshire, UK

“J-R Curtin has written a book that is timeless and timely!  On Civility will restore your soul, mind, and heart.  Become a better version of yourself as you read this poetic meditation.

"It is simply one of the wisest books I’ve read. It is made for this time!  It has taught me lessons that I can apply within so that I can make a difference in other people’s lives.”
~ Carlos Revas, Director of Fitness and Wellness Operations at Proformance Health & Wellbeing, Louisville, Kentucky.

"A paean to civility that couldn’t come at a better time. 

"...Although civility may still have something to do with 'manners,' as the author sees it, the concept also encompasses 'compassion...


Marketing Plan

NetGalley. ForeWord Reviews, Kirkus Reviews, Social Media blitz (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn), Facebook Ads and email into news media, Independent Bookstores and targeted mailing lists.

NetGalley. ForeWord Reviews, Kirkus Reviews, Social Media blitz (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn), Facebook Ads and email into news media, Independent Bookstores and targeted mailing lists.


Available Editions

EDITION Paperback
ISBN 9781938462429
PRICE $24.95 (USD)

Available on NetGalley

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Average rating from 6 members


Featured Reviews

Was a beautiful quick read. Body positive and world positive. Really eye opening to what is currently going on in the world and what we can perhaps do differently to chance the way those we think of ourselves. Highly encourage. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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I really enjoyed the poems in this book and found them to be really thoughtful. The topics in them really cause you to take a moment and reflect. The format of the poems are easy to read and there are even beautiful photos inside to go along with it. This is a great read for everyone who wants to take a moment and reflect.

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