"Building Communities from the Inside Out" is a new guide to "asset--based community development." Authors John Kretzmann and Jhon Mcknight summarize lessons learned by studying successful community--building initiatives in hundreds of neighborhoods across the United States. The book outlines in simple, "neighborhood--friendly" terms what local communities can do to start their own journey down the path of asset--based development: How communities can rediscover and "map"all of their assets; How they can combine and mobilize these rediscovered strenghts to build stronger, more self--reliant and powerful communities; How "outsiders" in goverment or the philanthropic sector can contribute sensitively and effectively to the process of asset--based development.

This guide will be helpful to local community leaders, leaders of local associations and institutions, goverment officials, and leaders in the philanthrophic and business communities who wish to support effective community--building strategies.