"Our national myths often exaggerate the role of the individual heroes and understate the importance of collective effort." Chapter 1, pg. 24

"It is emphatically not my view that community bonds in America have weakened steadily throughout our history—or even throughout the last hundred years. On the contrary, American history carefully examined is a story of ups and downs in civic engagement, not just downs—a story of collapse and of renewal." Chapter 1, pg. 25

"Participation in politics is increasingly based on the checkbook, as money replaces time." Chapter 2, pg. 40

"In other words, the more that my activities depend on the actions of others, the greater the drop-off in my participation." Chapter 2, pg. 45

"What really matters from the point of view of social capital and civic engagement is not merely nominal membership, but active and involved membership." Chapter 3, pg. 58

"Churches provide an important incubator for civic skills, civic...