""In Unlocking Your Inner Courage, Melvyn L. Fein uses historical and personal examples to explore courage—not just physical courage, but also social, emotional, and moral courage. Much of life requires what he refers to as `normal bravery,’ which is not the dramatic physical acts that we often think of, but moving past your fears to accomplish the day-to-day. Building on his previous work, Fein explains his concept of integrated fear management. He shows not just how to deal with your fears instead of trying to hide from them, but how to use them to your advantage.”—Donald Woolley, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Duke University “Dr. Fein summons us to courage in our personal lives but he doesn’t stop there. He means also to help us summon courage as a cultural resource. His timely book addresses a nation that has increasingly sought comfort in place of challenge. He teaches us how to rediscover the Pilgrim, pioneer, sodbuster, and civilian soldier who faced gut-level fears and kept going. Such courage, he says, `has gone out of fashion,’ but it is still within our reach. Drawing fearlessly on his own story of insecurities, which he has faced and overcome, and on his wide experience as a therapist, Fein weaves together national history, personal suffering, and brilliant analysis. Courage, Fein says, `must be earned,’ and he presents a compelling testimonial to that truth.”—Peter Wood, president, National Association of Scholars “Dr. Melvyn L. Fein is a very astute observer of society and human interactions. In Unlocking Your Inner Courage, he has given us a number of very effective tools and strategies for overcoming our largely self-imposed limitations. He is an innovative thinker oriented toward practical solutions.”—Kerwin Swint, author of Mudslingers and The King Whisperers “Dr. Fein’s Unlocking Your Inner Courage is a jargon-free book potentially useful for the layman and clinical practitioner alike. He argues that one ought to rationally analyze and face, rather than succumb to, one’s fears. Courageous life choices are well thought-out choices for which the consequences of potential actions are evaluated, derived from knowledge, and controlled emotionally. To accomplish this inner courage, Dr. Fein offers several strategies that are pragmatic and easily understood.”—Albert E. McCormick Jr., PhD, M2 Research and Consulting “Ever since Cicero’s De Officiis, fathers and mothers have written advice to sons and daughters about how to get along in the world and how to make moral sense of their lives. In the spirit of that tradition, Melvyn L. Fein offers a realistic and encouraging account of the challenges of both recognizing and applying what he calls our inner courage. Fein’s life journey as vocational counselor, therapist, and sociologist has given him the insights of both knowledge and experience. The world is filled with cowardice and courage, each measured against both everyday life and moments of truth. Fein addresses them all with well-met, good advice.”—Jonathan B. Imber, professor of sociology, Wellesley College “Melvyn L. Fein is a distinguished sociologist who loves to teach, debate, and bring the knowledge of the academy to a general audience. No one I know doubts his courage and integrity. Unlocking Your Inner Courage is based on leading scholarship but also is deeply personal. Fein uses historical and contemporary examples and an abundance of common sense to help his readers overcome their fears and achieve their true potential.”—Thomas A. Scott, PhD, Professor Emeritus of History, Kennesaw State University
