Music of a Thousand Hammers: Inside Habitat for Humanity - Tapa dura

"Honest, provocative, humorous, inspirational. All fit Paul Leonard's book, described as part memoir, part history, and part critique of Habitat for Humanity." -Charlotte Observer, June 2006 "Music of a Thousand Hammers accurately describes the struggles, challenges and successes of Habitat for Humanity, one of America's most admired non-profits, as it demonstrates God's love by building houses around the world with families in need using the principles of sweat equity and volunteer labor. Paul Leonard provides a unique perspective from his roles as a volunteer, board member and interim CEO. This is an important book for anyone who wants to be inspired by the explosive growth of a transformational ministry and also see the issues involved with helping an organization transition from informal start up to scale impact."-- Jonathan Reckford, CEO, Habitat for Humanity, International -- Jonathan Reckford * Blurb from reviewer * "A fair and balanced account of the challenges and opportunities faced by one of America's favorite charities, Habitat for Humanity... Paul Leonard rose through the volunteer ranks from house leader to local affiliate president to chair of the international board and subsequently CEO. His leadership in a time of crisis for Habitat gave Rosalynn and me great confidence in Habitat's future and its ability to expand its capacity to serve the housing needs of the poor around the world and invigorate its Christian spirit." --Jimmy Carter -- Jimmy Carter * Blurb from reviewer * "I served on Habitat's International Board of Directors with Paul Leonard. I saw him take on one assignment after the other, Treasurer, Chair of Strategic Planning, Chair of the US/Canada Committee and of the US Council and finally, Board Chair and CEO. He always applied himself and brought to his work, faith, wisdom, a willingness to listen and an understanding of Habitat's grassroots and entrepreneurial spirit. Even though Habitat for Humanity will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2006, its work is just beginning and the need for the faith based self help housing program it delivers increases exponentially as the world's population expands and moves to cities and tsunamis and hurricanes leave millions homeless.. In Paul's book, Music of a Thousand Hammers, you will meet the families, volunteers, and issues that are at the heart of this work." --Jack Kemp, Former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and Nine Term Congressman from New York -- Jack Kemp * Blurb from reviewer * "Not many people work harder in their retirement than they do during their work life. Paul Leonard is the exception. He came out of nine years of retirement from the homebuilding industry to take on the challenge of leading Habitat for Humanity in a time of crisis. In Music of a Thousand Hammers, you see Habitat at work around the world through the eyes of a professional builder and developer who began as a Habitat skeptic but became one of its most passionate leaders. It's a great story about a wonderful mission written by a servant leader." --Hugh McColl, former chair, Bank of America -- Hugh McColl * Blurb from reviewer * Through Habitat, Paul Leonard discovered that building houses for the poor is God's work. The joy (and effort) of building with others establishs a community as well as an appreciation of the less fortunate next door-- or in far-off lands. His work is also a subtle critique of the missing element in American public housing policy: the satisfactions of the volunteer when laboring together as a commmunity.--Wyche Fowler, jr., former US Senator, Georgia, US ambassodor to Saudia Arabia, l996-2001 -- Wyche Fowler * Blurb from reviewer * "When you think of a hammer you think noise not music. This book Musicof a a Thousand Hammers rings out in an extraordinary detail the love ofGod and His transformation of the human heart. Paul Leonard shares with ushis heart and his love of others through his personal life with Habitat forHumanity." --Janet Huckabee, First Lady of Arkansas -- Janet Huckabee * Blurb from reviewer * "Paul Leonard's book is an inspiring insider's view of one of the great charitable organizations of our time. His vision for the future of Habitat for Humanity reaches beyond housing and encompasses working holistically with other groups to provide potable water, develop schools, and improve medical care. Leonard challenges us all to care about and to build together a world where everyone has a home--and all the necessary elements for a sustainable community." --Reggie Van Allen, Senior Vice President, Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. -- Reggie Van Lee * Blurb from reviewer * "If you have ever wondered why and how you might contribute to humanity, Paul Leonards' book, Music of a Thousand Hammers, provides the answer. It is an inspiring story of how "mere men" are changing the world, one house at a time. Pamela Davies, President Queens University of Charlotte -- Pamela Davis * Blurb from reviewer *

Habitat for Humanity International focuses on two goals. The first is to build as many houses as it can, using the principles of sweat equity, no interest, no-profit, volunteer-driven construction- one house, one family at a time-in every corner of the world. Today Habitat is completing a house somewhere in the world every 26 minutes (20,000 per year). Habitat also attempts to make housing a matter of conscience everywhere. Habitat wants everyone to understand that it is morally and socially unacceptable for any human being not to have a simple, decent place to sleep at night.

Yet, all is not well in the Habitat household. In late 2004, Habitat's founder Millard Fuller was forced out of his job by the board of directors of the Christian homebuilding ministry. The announcement that Fuller was stepping down came near the end of a tumultuous year for Fuller and the Americus, Georgia-based organization that he co-founded in 1976 with his wife, Linda. The year included allegations against Fuller by a female employee of inappropriate behavior and a struggle concerning the organization's future.

The shakeout, now apparently complete, could affect Habitat for years. Part memoir, part history of Habitat, and part expose, Leonard's book provides a glimpse into the shattered world of an organization built on the trust of the recipients of its labors.