There is a Balm in Huntsville (Walnut Street Books, 2019)
Balm tells the true story of a criminal’s transformation, back-dropped by the development of the Texas state criminal justice system’s Victim-Offender Dialogue program, the first of its kind in the nation. Told in narrative fashion, Balm reads like a novel. It is specifically marketed to teenagers learning to drive, newcomers to and students of Restorative Justice, crime victims thinking about participating in a face-to-face dialogue with an offender, and others open to the possibility that a purposeful encounter between adversaries could bear fruit for peace and understanding.
In this day of hyper-partisanship and hyper-everything else, Balm shines forth like a beacon of light in the seemingly increasing darkness.
Praise for There is a Balm in Huntsville
“In high school, I was friends with Andrew Papke, the perpetrator in this book. The wreck he caused helped me see that I was going down the wrong path, just like he was. As I read this book, I was reminded that even in the middle of a mangled mess, God’s hope and purpose are not out of reach. Andrew’s story is one of God’s grace and restoration, of a broken person realizing that God has not given up on him.”
– Paul Diaz, Pastor and Licensed Professional Counselor:
“I can’t properly express how much I enjoyed this book. In the current climate of divisiveness and lack of forgiveness, it is fabulous to read of people who are actively working to end both. This book provides insight into the structure of the justice system and the people who are striving to provide meaningful opportunities for the incarcerated to atone for their crimes and become valuable members of society.”
– Dan Richards, Attorney and son of former Texas governor Ann Richards:
“There is a Balm in Huntsville is much more than a compelling story of tragedy, healing and redemption. It highlights the value and principles of Restorative Justice and the difficult but worthwhile journey we should all be practicing in our lives and our relationships as evidenced by those who allowed their stories to be told. With thanks to T. Carlos Anderson for writing it in such a thoughtful and caring manner.”
– Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz, Restorative Justice Coordinator, Mennonite Central Committee
Just a Little Bit More (ACTA-Chicago, 2014)
Just a Little Bit More takes on social and economic inequalities from a subversive faith perspective. Veteran journalist Sam Pizzigati says: “Anderson dots his book with fascinating asides on everything from the original egalitarian provenance of the retail price-tag in the 1870s to the introduction of luxury suites in Texas Stadium in the 1970s, a symbolic cultural moment when our ‘privileged elite began to separate from the rest of us.’ Anderson, above all, writes with a purpose. He’s hoping to help Americans understand that an egalitarian ideal helped create the United States. We need that ideal, Anderson helps us see, now more than ever.”
T. Carlos Anderson 