A chorus of essays from a variety of voices, backgrounds, and experiences, exploring what it means to be human and true to yourself. What does it mean to be yourself? To be born here or somewhere else? To be from one family instead of another? What does it mean to be human? Collected by Lori Carlson-Hijuelos, A Path to the World showcases essays by a vast variety of luminaries--from Gary Soto to Nawal Nasrallah to Ying Ying Yu, from chefs to artists to teens to philosophers to politicians (keep your eyes peeled for a surprise appearance by George Washington)--all of which speak to the common thread of humanity, the desire to be your truest self, and to belong. Contributors include: Lori Marie Carlson-Hijuelos, Joseph Bruchac, Jacinto Jesús Cardona, William Sloane Coffin, Pat Conroy, Mario Cuomo, Timothy Egan, Alan Ehrenhalt, Shadi Feddin, Ralph Fletcher, Valerie Gribben, Alexandre Hollan, Molly Ivins, Geeta Kothari, Jeremy Lee, Yuyi Li, Emily Lisker, Kamaal Majeed, Madge McKeithen, Nawal Nasrallah, Scott Pitoniak, Anna Quindlen, Michael J. Sandel, Raquel Sentíes, David E. Skaggs, Gary Soto, Alexandra Stoddard, KellyNoel Waldorf, George Washington, and Ying Ying Yu.

William Sloane Coffin has fought for social justice and argued that faith must be at the heart of political and intellectual life. This is a collection of his most memorable words, spoken over a 40-year ministry. They are not sermons - the longest quotation is probably 300-400 words - but rather sentences and paragraphs that reflect the heart of his message. It is arecord of his remarkable public words on issues ranging from charity and justice, politics, economic issues, the environment and nuclear disarmament, to the meaning of faith, the church and a minister's responsibility.

Comprising the sermons preached by William Sloane Coffin while he was senior minister at the prestigious Riverside Church in New York City, The Collected Sermons of William Sloane Coffin: The Riverside Years captures the renowned preacher and social activist at work: ministering to American hostages in Iran, supporting AIDS awareness, and rallying his audiences to battle poverty and nuclear proliferation--all the while celebrating marriages, baptisms, and Mother's Days and mourning the loss of loved ones, including his own son. In each of these brilliant and painstakingly crafted sermons, Coffin combined his deep love of Scripture and passionate commitment to peace and justice with his unparalleled gift for the spoken word. While also revealing the personal and pastoral dimensions of his ministry, each sermon provides a powerful example of Coffin's well-accomplished mission: to challenge the conscience of a nation.

Comprising the sermons preached by William Sloane Coffin while he was senior minister at the prestigious Riverside Church in New York City, "The Collected Sermons of William Sloane Coffin: The Riverside Years " captures the renowned preacher and social activist at work: ministering to American hostages in Iran, supporting AIDS awareness, and rallying his audiences to battle poverty and nuclear proliferation--all the while celebrating marriages, baptisms, and Mother's Days and mourning the loss of loved ones, including his own son.

In each of these brilliant and painstakingly crafted sermons, Coffin combined his deep love of Scripture and passionate commitment to peace and justice with his unparalleled gift for the spoken word. While also revealing the personal and pastoral dimensions of his ministry, each sermon provides a powerful example of Coffin's well-accomplished mission: to challenge the conscience of a nation.