Stephen G. Cary (1930–2002)

This is a lively memoir by a man who "lived his conscience" on the front lines during a tumultuous slice of American history -- from Quaker relief work in Europe which led to the Nobel Peace Prize in 1947 . . . to marches with Martin Luther King -- from being jailed in DC during the Poor Peoples' Campaign to campaigns to change US policy during the Vietnam War. This is a tough-minded, fun-loving Quaker who lived life to its fullest -- a book of inspiration, humor, and courage. --- Eugene J. McCarthy, former US Senator… (meer)

Stephen G Cary was born into a Quaker family, attended Quaker schools, and went on to a life of service. He became a conscientious objector, and as a result got excellent if unintentional training as a pacifist in the alternative Civilian Public Service. He then engaged in relief work in postwar Europe, followed by a half century in various capacities with the American Friends Service Committee. Each of these activities is covered by a chapter in the book, as are dissent, civil disobedience, the Vietnam War, and his work at Haverford College. The writing style is engaging, and readers are advised to keep a box of kleenex handy, for some of the laughs and some of the more moving passages are likely to make the eyes leaky. You get the impression that it would be a grand treat to have Stephen Cary over for supper, but he is gone now. Luckily, he left some writings behind, including this book, a second section of which gathers selected speeches and writings from his work, offering more delights from him, as a kind of bonus, in this single volume. --JMT… (meer)