In his acclaimed "Bowling Alone, " Robert Putnam describes the United States as a nation in which we have become increasingly disconnected from one another and in which our social structures have disintegrated. But in the final chapter of that book he detects hopeful signs of civic renewal. In "Better Together" Putnam and coauthor Lewis Feldstein tell the inspiring stories of people who are reweaving the social fabric by bringing their own communities together or building bridges to others.
"Better Together" examines how people across the country are inventing new forms of social activism and community renewal. An arts program in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, brings together shipyard workers and their gentrified neighbors; a deteriorating, crime-ridden neighborhood in Boston is transformed by a determined group of civic organizers; an online "virtual" community in San Francisco allows its members to connect with each other as well as the larger group; in Wisconsin schoolchildren learn how to participate in the political process to benefit their town. As our society grows increasingly diverse, say Putnam and Feldstein, it's more important than ever to grow "social capital," whether by traditional or more innovative means. The people profiled in "Better Together" are doing just that, and their stories illustrate the extraordinary power of social networks for enabling people to improve their lives and the lives of those around them.

One of the most influential child psychiatrists of the twentieth century, Donald J. Cohen (1940-2001) made groundbreaking contributions to the study of autism and developmental disabilities, Tourette's syndrome, developmental psychopathology, child psychoanalysis, and children's adaptation to trauma. As director of the Yale Child Study Center from 1983 to 2001, he fostered international collaborations and innovative approaches to the study of children's mental health. This book contains a selection of some of his most enduring and influential writings. Showcasing Dr. Cohen's distinctive approach, these essays - one of which is published here for the first time - address a wide range of topics including autobiographical writings; childhood psychiatric disorders; the role of play fantasy, aggression, and violence in childhood; and research ethics and mentorship.