Fifty-Two Simple Ways to Make a Difference

Completed shortly before his death in December 2003, this small book by Simon is a primer on becoming a better and more socially conscious person. The longtime senator from Illinois offers 52 ways to""make a difference,"" beginning with multicultural hospitality (Simon encourages readers to invite someone of a different race, religion or ethnic group over for dinner) and ending with an exhortation not to slow down public activism in old age. Most of Simon's suggestions are specific and concrete--help a former prisoner find a job; learn phrases from another language; become an organ donor; turn off the TV for a while. He strongly encourages civic responsibility, stresses the importance of keeping informed and urges readers to get involved in a church, synagogue or mosque to keep them active in the community. All of us, says Simon, should become giraffes--""people who are willing to stick out their necks to help others."" Most of his short chapters introduce contemporary""giraffes"" and describe the extraordinary and heroic actions of these ordinary individuals. This book is a fitting legacy for one of America's finest public servants.