by P.M. Forni

• This selection was recommended by Speak Your Peace national spokesperson Rob Karwath, during his recent visit to Sisters Country. SYP's nine tenets of civility were derived from the longer list of 25 tenets detailed in this book by Dr. Forni.

Publisher Summary: Most people would agree that thoughtful behavior and common decency are in short supply, or simply forgotten in hurried lives of emails, cellphones, and multi-tasking. In Choosing Civility, P. M. Forni identifies the twenty-five rules that are most essential in connecting effectively and happily with others. In clear, witty, and, well...civilized language, Forni covers topics that include:

* Think Twice Before Asking Favors
* Give Constructive Criticism
* Refrain from Idle Complaints
* Respect Others' Opinions
* Don't Shift Responsibility and Blame
* Care for Your Guests
* Accept and Give Praise

Finally, Forni provides examples of how to put each rule into practice and so make life-and the lives of others-more enjoyable, companionable, and rewarding.
Choosing Civility is a simple, practical, perfectly measured, and quietly magical handbook on the lost art of civility and compassion.

"Professor Forni writes with wit, force, and grace on a subject that has become all too hoity-toity. Forni reclaims manners from the mantlepiece and grounds his advice in the details of everyday life. This book is about how we ought to treat each other. What could be more important than that?”

—Edward Hallowell, M.D., author of Connect and The Childhood Roots of Adult Happiness

P.M. FORNI, A PROFESSOR AT JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY, CO-FOUNDED THE JOHNS HOPKINS CIVILITY PROJECT IN 1997. AN AGGREGATION OF ACADEMIC AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH ACTIVITIES, THE JHCP AIMED AT ASSESSING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CIVILITY, MANNERS AND POLITENESS IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY.