Live Like a Citizen
A new book from CU’s Co-Founder and CEO, Eric Liu
ABOUT THE BOOK
We live in a time of fracture and lost faith. But most Americans don’t want this feeling. Most of us, the exhausted majority, want to be invited into something better. That’s the call of Live Like a Citizen: to give everyone the tools to turn away from the resentment and cynicism eroding democratic life. To turn toward a healthier way of living together. In this new book, Eric Liu gives readers eight deep practices for rekindling our belief in democracy—and our own humanity.
Each chapter centers on a single verb—an elemental civic way to be and to be with. Through powerful stories of Americans from many backgrounds, we learn anew how to see; to listen; to feel; to join; to fight; to change; to imagine; and to commit.
Democracy works only if enough of us believe democracy works. Live Like a Citizen will give you reason to believe—and the tools to transform belief into everyday action.
READ LIVE LIKE A CITIZEN
Get yourself a copy
Live Like a Citizen will be available from your favorite bookseller on October 13. Pre-order now, to have a copy in your hands as soon as it’s available.
This book will offer rich and actionable discussion topics and ideas for group activities. Take a look at our Book Club Guide and gather some friends and neighbors to join you!
Book Club Guide coming in October
JOIN ERIC AT A BOOK EVENT
Oct 7: St. Louis, MO at Washington University
Oct 13: Washington, DC at Politics & Prose
Oct 17: Boston, MA at Boston Book Festival
Oct 16: New Haven, CT at Yale University
Oct 20: Seattle, WA at Seattle Public Library, Central Branch
Oct 26: Atlanta, GA at Carter Presidential Library
Oct 31: Akron, OH at Civic Saturday Akron
Nov 5: Indianapolis, IN at Indiana University
Nov 10: Seattle, WA at Town Hall Seattle
Nov 16: Ithaca, NY at Cornell University
Jan 15: Cleveland, OH at City Club of Cleveland
Feb 8: Philadelphia, PA at The National Constitution Center
Feb 27: Oakland, CA at Greater Good Love Summit
Mar 13-14: New Orleans, LA at New Orleans Book Festival
MORE ABOUT ERIC LIU
Eric Liu is the Co-Founder and CEO of Citizen University. He’s the son of immigrants and an author, creator, and civic evangelist. Read more about Eric and see the full list of his book titles.
In the media
Explore a few opinion pieces and stories that show how Americans are bringing civic culture close to home.
To save our democracy, fix our civic culture
“We know Americans are not going to be scolded into volunteering more or meeting people different from them. The good news is they don’t have to be. When organizations make civic life fun and engaging, people show up, make friends and build community.”
America’s civic culture is battered but not broken
“For the most part, this is not government work. We must do it ourselves. To secure the blessings of liberty for future generations, we must commit to the hard, rewarding work of rebuilding the ties that bind us.”
What is civic health, and why is Arizona's not as strong as it could be?
“Arizona has the opportunity to lead by continuing to act on these recommendations. Small, collective steps can add up to big progress, creating a culture where everyone feels a stake in our shared future.”
Top Down Democratic Decline vs. Bottom Up Civic Renewal
“If help is on the way, it is not going to come from Washington, DC anytime soon. The renewal of our civic culture, if it occurs, will bubble up from the laboratories of American democracy, i.e., the communities where we live.”
Everyday Americans strengthening the culture of their place through connection, responsibility taking, and joy.
Eric Liu unpacks civic culture, responsibility, and the tenor of the times.
An interview with Aria Florant, National Civic Collaboratory member and Co-founder of Liberation Ventures
Lessons from a community leader on military service, responsibility, and the importance of being seen.
