Scott Peck is very creative at writing memorable opening sentences in his books. "A Road Less Traveled" begins: "Life is difficult." The Different Drum begins: "Community is rare." He purposely does not define community, but devotes the majority of the book describing its characteristics and how to acquire it. His ideas are idealistic, and leave the reader to conclude that community is not only rare, but, based on his principles, impossible. His ideas of religion are thought-provoking, and he includes his hierachy of "spiritual maturity",in which he describes the most spiritually mature being those who are "mystics", and not afraid to question their faith. In other words, those who are dogmatic in their faith(or religion) are less spiritually mature. I'll be chewing on that one awhile.....

A different way of relating to the world around us. Another potentially life changing book from this wonderful philosopher psychologist, Scotty teaches us how to create a constructive community and points us to some places where we can go to follow these tenets. What a shame this man is dead - he was truly great. Should be compulsory reading for anyone who feels that our communities are not what they could be.

This would be a good text book. the first part was interesting but not what I thought it was going to be.

After doing a Community Building workshop it was suggested I read this book. I found the steps in Community fascinating and really illuminated some of the processes I have shared in facilitation. Peck had an earnestness that at times is so frustrating, but the content and processes are very digestible and have lots to say to anyone who works with groups or brings people together. Basically the core of my practice. In a world that feels increasingly fractured and unstable these processes and approaches are of increased importance.

Some really powerful insights into the art and process of community building. I particularly found what Peck writes about Pseudocommunity to be interesting, and more of a clique than community.

There were some parts of the book that I don’t think were needed, but overall an interesting read.

excellent book about that oft-overused word, "community". the section on stages of spiritual development should be mandatory reading for anyone who does anything related to faith or spiritual life. the last few chapters felt like a different book though. i know he'd say they're all related but they didn't hang together well for me.

Great insights into the process involved in community building.

Peck's book spoke fairly close to my own beliefs on community and how the principles of community should be applied to the world at large. The language was a tad hard for me to follow emotionally as it leans heavily on the sensibility of eighties-era psychology, and I think that he goes a bit off the mark when talking about victims of trauma needing to simply 'let go' (regardless of the lasting, often lifetime effects of PTSD and trauma that sometimes must be dealt with in a more holistic way). While I enjoy the ways in which he applies community principles to the individual, I do also think he is a bit over Eurocentric when it comes to applying community principles to the bigger picture, but definitely not as bad as most authors in this sphere. A wonderful, thoughtful piece for anyone's inspiration shelf.

Just the best. Peck was on my parents' shelf as a kid. This spoke to me so strongly. I was a community organizer dreaming of utopian solutions.

What an Idealistic way to look at the world.. I would elect this man to run our country. Educational and philispohical

As others have commented this book is very idealistic. To be honest the things Peck talks about for building community I learned in marriage counseling. His only context is the American culture and his data that he gets about community building are only from short-term groups. He never mentions family as a community and he seems to get a fix out of forming short-term community groups. I remember he used the word 'bored' and 'boring' a lot when the groups weren't moving through the stages he describes. My one big question that wasn't answered was what to do when you are in a group with someone who has horribly wronged you in the past? It seems his focus was to make communities that meet together and support each other when their lives start to fall apart. No need to go to family members with your problems, just find a bunch of strangers to dish out all your personal feelings and repeat until the day you die.

Pontificating about religion aside (breathes to empty) but this book is an amazing look at community and what that term really means. For social workers, this is invaluable knowledge to think critically about.