Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Foreword — A Tale of Two Quakers Chapter 2 Preface — Of Time and Eternity Chapter 3 Introduction — Convincement Part 4 Part I — How the Quakers Invented America Part 5 Part II — Friendly Persuasion Chapter 6 Faith vs. Feeling Chapter 7 The Meaning of the Light Chapter 8 The Significance of Jesus Chapter 9 How Quakers Approach the Bible Chapter 10 The Good Quaker Chapter 11 The Holy Experiment Chapter 12 Living in the Light of Eternity Chapter 13 Why Did the Quakers Stop Quaking? Chapter 14 A Peculiar People Part 15 Part III — Quaker Spirituality Chapter 16 What Jesus Learned in the Desert and Thoreau Learned in the Woods Chapter 17 To See the World in a Grain of Sand Part 18 Part IV — How the Quakers are Reinventing America

About the Author

David Yount writes the nationally syndicated column "Amazing Grace" and hosts a weekly cable TV program. He regularly appears in the media and is the author of nine books, including What are We to Do? and Be Strong and Courageous. He lives in Montclair, VA.

Reviews

Silence and inner light permeate this personal exposition and witness. Yount invites us to take a practical and deep wisdom from the Quakers.
*John W. Crossin, OSFS, executive director, Washington Theological Consortium*

From its curiosity piquing title to its final satisfying sentence, How the Quakers Invented America is an entertaining and informative book about both the United States and the influence of those quirky Quakers on it. David Yount's writing is crisp and clean and the story he tells is engaging, surprising, and delightful.
*J. Brent Bill, Executive Vice President, Indianapolis Center for Congregations; author of "Holy Silence"*

From the Bill of Rights to frugality, individualism, egalitarianism, family life, religious voluntaryism, and various folkways, Quaker fingerprints are everywhere in the American ethos. David Yount chronicles this heritage with the clear, informative insight of an insider (himself a Friend) and a lifelong observer of religion in America. Not sparing critique of Quaker ways, Yount traces the rich contributions of Friends from their origins to the contemporary branches of Quakerism where their distinctives might still be found.
*Max L. Carter, director, Guilford College Friends Center*

If you want to see how Quakerism influenced the principles of American democracy...if you want insight into a complex religion . . . if you want to understand Quakerism in the context of the larger Christian community. . . if you want to understand the significance of Quakerism in the modern transformation of American society through its leadership and participation in social justice movements—then I urge you to read David Yount's How Quakers Invented America.
*Mary Ellen McNish, general secretary, American Friends Service Committee*

An attractive, wide-ranging, personal view of Quakerism . . . thought-provoking, full of life and optimism.
*Quaker Life*

Yount is a fine writer. The book is a pleasant, interesting, and meaningful read.
*Friends Journal*

A thorough reading revealed the author's ability to take a wide range of approaches to the subject matter. Some sections were stimulating, and other parts personally reflective and thoughtful. . . . This book can promote some understanding of Quakerism . . . I can recommend this book as a quick and easy read, with an interesting (if quirky) personal style.
*Peace and Justice Studies*