Big Citizenship: How Pragmatic Idealism Can Bring Out the Best in America

As a young Harvard law graduate, Khazei resolved to serve his country by creating an urban organization in the style of the Peace Corps called City Year. Based in Boston, City Year has grown from a few volunteers into a massive operation with branches in 20 cities filled with young people eager to serve where they live. Khazei offers a touching memoir of what young entrepreneurs with vision can do to change not just communities but the world. Much of the book is dedicated to the pursuit of this ideal, with reference to Khazei's past efforts, Save AmeriCorps and Be the Change, allowing him to offer words of wisdom to other civically-minded would-be entrepreneurs. The late inclusion of a run for the United States Senate comes as a distraction, but may offer a further level of inspiration for readers. Khazei's Citizenship is an accessible motivational tale that is short on concrete advice but long on heart. (Aug.)