Circle of Hope: A Reckoning with Love, Power, and Justice in an American Church

"Inspiring . . . As the American church and American society remain divided, it's very much worth reading Griswold's book, examining our own hearts and asking ourselves a vital question: Are our differences so great that they justify destroying relationships or institutions that are truly good?"
--David French, The New York Times Book Review

"Glows on every page . . . nearly miraculous."
--Kate Tuttle, The Boston Globe

"A fascinating lesson, regardless of what political side you're on."
--Joe Scarborough, Morning Joe

"A compassionate narrative . . . propulsive and immersive . . . An ardent, distinctive work, generous and character-driven, with concerns that speak directly to the current moment and beyond."
--Ayana Mathis, The Washington Post

"The lessons [Circle of Hope] imparts--about community, social justice, American society and the ways in which we come to terms with history and progress--are relevant well beyond the confines of Christianity."
--Roxanne Patel Shepelavy, The Philadelphia Citizen

"An affecting study of sacred life in sacrilegious times. What brings people to church today? . . . Circle of Hope [brings] the dilemma alive."
--Dan Piepenbring, Harper's

"Eliza Griswold is a dazzling reporter: ever observant, wise, sympathetic, and honest. And in this spellbinding book, she not only immerses herself in a radical religious community but also reveals its fracturing in real time, raising questions about the nature of faith and justice and what binds us as Americans."
--David Grann, author of The Wager

"Griswold traces the tumult of the pandemic and the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement in one Philadelphia church, as four young pastors battle over what it means to devote one's life to others."
--The New Yorker

"Rigorous, expertly paced, never polemical . . . Riveting."
--Kate Lucky, Christianity Today

"Eliza Griswold is one of our most talented, multifaceted writers today."
--Jon M. Sweeney, Spirituality & Practice

"Riveting . . . A fascinating inquest into the death of a church that doubles as a compassionate case study on the insufficiency of good intentions."
--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Circle of Hope is the intimate story of one small church, but it carries within it profoundly relevant lessons for all people of faith."
--BookPage (starred review)

"Circle of Hope is an act of courage, vulnerability, and creativity--all things that make Eliza Griswold's seasoned voice once again strike with strength."
--Danté Stewart, author of Shoutin' in the Fire

"That rarest of books: an examination of the sacred and spiritual realm captured with humor, humanity, and style."
--Susan Orlean, author of On Animals

"Set against the backdrop of race, sexuality, and belief, Circle of Hope is a deeply captivating and sometimes troubling dive into a world of faith and frustrations often hidden by the political, antagonistic, and triumphalist projections of American Evangelicalism."
--Anthea Butler, author of White Evangelical Racism

"Lyrical, probing, and deeply reported, this is an extraordinary account of the fraught interplay of faith, community, and values. Eliza Griswold has produced a multigenerational group portrait that is compassionate yet unblinking and will resonate with anyone who aspires to chart a righteous path through this messy, mixed-up world."
--Patrick Radden Keefe, author of Empire of Pain

"Circle of Hope is a rare and astonishing trek into the fractured soul of America, as told through the deeply reported and beautifully rendered story of one church's crucible."
--Andrea Elliott, author of Invisible Child

"This is a lucid, tough, sad, heartening, and ultimately very wise book. It will be a beacon and
warning to anyone caught up in this country's social turbulence."
--Christian Wiman, author of Zero at the Bone

"A story of both truth and grace, Circle of Hope traces in devastating detail how justice and kindness give way to the pursuit of power. The result is a searing reflection on the state of American religion, and on the challenges of holding together against the forces pulling us apart."
--Kristin Kobes Du Mez, author of Jesus and John Wayne

"I devoured this book. It made me examine the cost of centering my own self-regard, the need to see oneself as a 'good person.' Eliza Griswold is a master of immersive journalism. I cannot recommend Circle of Hope enough."
--Nadia Bolz-Weber, author of Accidental Saints

"With patience, intelligence, and compassion, Eliza Griswold traces the history of a Christian community and its leadership as they struggle to remain faithful to a radical vision through times of immense stress. A sharply contemporary book, painfully honest, stubbornly hopeful."
--Rowan Williams, author of Passions of the Soul

"With the deftness and empathy that only Eliza Griswold can provide, Circle of Hope offers a portrait of real people trying to live out an authentic faith in a rapidly secularizing world. It should inspire us to continue to live up to our highest ideals, regardless of all the setbacks that come as a result."
--Ryan P. Burge, coauthor of The Great Dechurching

"Eliza Griswold's intimate portrait of one congregation introduces characters who are real enough to unveil something of the mystery of how a group of broken people who don't live up to their ideals can, despite themselves, become good news."
--Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, author of Revolution of Values