History

Bacon, Margaret Hope. The Quiet Rebels. Pendle Hill, 1999.

The story of the Quakers in America. An overview of Friends in social action and humanitarian service.

Bacon, Margaret Hope. Valiant Friend. Quaker Press, 1999.

The story of Lucretia Mott: Quaker minister, anti-slavery leader, and champion of the feminist cause. This is also a good look at the time of the Quaker separation of 1827.

Brinton, Howard. Friends for 350 Years. Pendle Hill, 2002.

This is the updated edition of Brinton’s classic overview of basic Quaker understandings, practices, and history. Topics covered include the Light Within, Meeting for Worship, vocal ministry, reaching decisions, the Meeting community, the Meeting and the world.

Hamm, Thomas. The Quakers In America. Columbia UP, 2003.

A concise history of the Society of Friends and a vivid picture of the culture and controversies of the Friends today. Reflecting Friends’ diversity, this book includes lively vignettes of Conservative, Evangelical Friends as well as Friends General Conference, and Friends United Meeting.

Ingle, H. Larry. First Among Friends. Oxford UP, 1996.

In First Among Friends, the first scholarly biography of George Fox (1624-91), H. Larry Ingle examines the fascinating life of the Reformation leader and founding organizer of the Religious Society of Friends.

Quaker Classics

Barclay, Robert. Barclay’s Apology In Modern English. Ed. Dean Freiday. Barclay Press, 1991.

The classic systematic statement of Quaker faith by the first Quaker theologian, edited and re-written in modern English.

Fox, George. The Journal Of George Fox. Ed. John Nickalls. Philadelphia Yearly Meeting 1997.

Foundational writings for 17th Century Friends. George Fox’s Journal was written later in his life with the benefit of hindsight, at a time when the Religious Society of Friends was struggling for acceptance.

Jones, Rufus. Rufus Jones, Essential Writings. Ed. Kerry Walters. Orbis, 2001.

A collection of writings of a well-beloved Quaker mystic and social activist.

Penn, William. Twenty-first Century Penn. Ed. Paul Buckley. Earlham School of Religion, 2003.

Five key texts in readable English, including Penn’s important essay “Primitive Christianity Revived.”

Stephen, Caroline E. Quaker Strongholds. 1891.

The author bridges the points of view of those to whom Quakerism in new and strange, and of those well-versed in its belief and practice.

Woolman, John. The Journal And Major Essays Of John Woolman. Ed. Phillips Moulton. Friends United Press, 1989.

John Woolman was a Quaker minister and prophet who deeply understood the relationship of the Divine connection with human action. Woolman’s analyses of the roots of social evil carefully trace individual responsibility from motive to action, and follow the ever-widening consequences of that action.

Anthologies

Barbour, Hugh and Arthur Roberts. Early Quaker Writings: 1650-1700. Morehouse Publishing, 2004.

Contains thoughtful, representative examples of 17th century Quaker writing enhanced by extensive introductory essays. The book is fully annotated with an extensive biographical index. 

Garmen, Mary, et al. Hidden In Plain Sight: Quaker Women’s Writings 1650–1700. Pendle Hill, 1995.

A collection of early Quaker women’s writings and a work of great scholarship. The included tracts, letters, epistles, and excerpts from journals are reprinted with only minor revisions. 

Steere, Douglas. Quaker Spirituality, Selected Writings. Paulist Press, 1984.

Includes extensive selections from the writings of George Fox, Isaac Penington, John Woolman, Caroline Stephen, Rufus Jones, and Thomas Kelly.

West, Jessamyn. Quaker Reader. Pendle Hill, 1990.

A comprensive sampling of Quaker writings throughout our history. Writings represent a wide range of perspectives; includes fine biographical notes at the beginning of each passage.

Worship and Spirituality

Kelly, Thomas A Testament Of Devotion. HarperCollins, 1996.

Five compelling essays that urge us to center our lives on God’s presence, to find quiet and stillness within modern life. 

Loring, Patricia. Corporate Spiritual Practice Among Friends: Listening Spirituality. Vol 2. Openings Press, 2003.

This book examines how Friends communal practice in Meeting is a spiritually formative influence on us, and an expression of the transformed life we seek to lead together.

Friends and Social Concerns

Bacon, Margaret Hope. Mothers Of Feminism, The Story Of Quaker Women In America. Harper and Row, 1986.

A survey of the many Quaker women pioneers. 

Birkel, Michael. A Near Sympathy, The Timeless Quaker Wisdom Of John Woolman. Friends United Press, 2003.

Woolman’s deep spiritual life empowered him to engage the world as a witness on behalf of the disenfranchised, and for the earth and all its creatures. The book includes a group discussion guide.

Whitmire, Catherine. Practicing Peace. Soren Books, 2007.

Stories of successful nonviolent movements throughout history are partnered with quotes from over 350 years of Quaker teachings on peace.