Paperback Writer (PLUS: The Jonah Project)
Just a quick update: after more than a year of waiting, The Unlikely Disciple is now out in paperback and audiobook!
Amazon and Barnes & Noble are both selling paperback copies for $10 and change (click here to order a copy), and the audiobook is available on both iTunes and Audible.com.
But here’s the really big news.
If you’re a regular visitor to this site, you probably noticed a big blue button up on the right. It’s there because I’m running a new social campaign based on my experience at Liberty University. I’m biased, but I think it’s really exciting.
It’s called The Jonah Project, and its goal is to give pairs of people from opposite sides of the political and religious spectrum a chance to have civil, non-violent conversations about faith, politics, and the culture wars. (The name comes from one of my favorite Bible stories, one in which God and Jonah argue about the fate of a city called Ninevah.)
I’m giving away 500 books as part of the Jonah Project’s initial push, and here’s how the giveaway works.
You can receive two copies of The Unlikely Disciple absolutely free, no questions asked. BUT, you have to be willing to:
- Give the other copy to a friend, relative, co-worker, classmate, or acquaintance who disagrees with you about politics, religion, or both.
- Talk about the book (or any related issues, really) with your partner, making sure to keep things civil.
- Post a recap of your conversation (in text or video form) on the Jonah Project blog.
My hope is to create 250 of the world’s strangest two-person book clubs, and to show that talking with people who disagree with you completely (as I did every day at Liberty) can be fun and beneficial to both people involved.
I wrote an introductory post on the Jonah Project site, which explains a bit more about the project and how to participate.
There’s an FAQ page if you’re interested in participating but still a bit confused.
Once you’re sold, you and your partner can sign up here to get your free books.
My friend/mentor A.J. Jacobs was nice enough to plug the Jonah Project on BoingBoing.
And here’s a video of my talk at this year’s GEL (Good Experience Live) conference, where I introduced the Jonah Project and the motives that led me to start it – relevant info begins at around 11:00.
Kevin Roose at Gel 2010 (author, The Unlikely Disciple) from Gel Conference on Vimeo.
Just finished reading your ebook on my new Nook; it was a two day marathon! I learned a great deal about Christianity, and the particular brand taught and subscribed to at Liberty. It helped put into perspective my confusion about how one could claim to be a “Christian” and still be so intolerant.
I had an experience of differences when I attended Brigham Young University 15 years ago. I am Jewish; although not a full up “practicing” Jew. The Master’s Degree Program in Social Work was a two year program.
Thank you for your book, I enjoyed it and have posted the info to my FB page for others to see and share!
Sheryl Ginsberg
— Sheryl Ginsberg
January 4, 2011, 11:43 am
I’m just finishing “The Unlikely Disciple”. You’re obviously a gifted writer. And, as an evangelical Christian, I respect your honesty.
Have you read Tim Keller’s “The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism”? It’s rather like C.S. Lewis’ “Mere Christianity” brought up to date.
-John Harutunian
— John Harutunian
January 8, 2011, 12:15 am