Altars in the Street : A Courageous Memoir of Community and Spiritual Awakening

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Summary: Hope for those who believe our cities are doomed!
Review: Altars in The Street is one of the best books I've read in a long time, because it demonstrates what can be done to counter the degradation crime and drug abuse bring to a city neighborhood. I found the book very hard to put down--not only because it reveals the workings of an inner city neighborhood, but also due to the autobiographical account of one family's courage in staying put on their street despite often overwhelming adversity. Melody Chavis shows how all available resources could be marshalled to try to restore a peaceful, caring environment for families and children of different races and economic backgrounds. Whether this completely succeeded or not, the book shows in a practical way how a sense of community and neighbor helping neighbor work to maintain a safe and viable place to live--wherever one may be.

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Summary: An emotional masterpiece to bind the gaps of race & religion
Review: Chavis' book is one of the few to literally draw tears from my eyes. It is a beautiful life story of one woman's difference in both race and spirituality, and her ability to make a difference by them. I truly believe that if word of mouth could only get around, it is deserving of the NY Times Bestseller. This book should be read as a novel, as well as a handbook on how to make a differnce in the world...in society...in your life.