Collected essays - From the cover: The new guy in a small conservative town explores the foundations of his faith in community, human progress, and liberal values. "His writing is humorous, bold, and adventurous all at once ... channeled through a facility for language and the music of words. David isn't afraid to talk about religion, politics, or anything else worth examining. He is variously friend, teacher, inquisitor, and voice crying out in the wilderness. He discusses, lectures and rants, but always in a conversational adult voice. Somehow both an agnostic and true believer, he radiates optimism while still seeking illumination in dark places. His favorite themes are community, virtues, values, and human growth. He will tease you into his world and then send you off to explore your own."