The message of the beatitudes is vital for our times. Far from an impossible dream or a pious ideal, they are, says Evelyn Mattern, "a practicable program to enable us to survive". She brings a rich understanding of the insights of contemporary biblical scholars, as well as a wealth of illustrations from literature and life to her book. Drawing from classical Greek dramas and contemporary American novels, she highlights how the truths of the beatitudes are played out in our lives, and profiles many ordinary people whose struggles typify the beatitudes. In the midst of our harsh and volatile world, Mattern shows how the practice of the beatitudes in our everyday lives guides us in the ways of peace and compassion.