Book Review: Civil Living by Pete Wiley
Finding Civility in Society, in Our Interactions, and Within Ourselves
Synopsis
From global conflicts to political shouting matches, it’s easy to believe the world is becoming less civil. But real change begins at the individual level.
Drawing on timeless human values and grounded insight, Civil Living explores how self-knowledge, inner peace, open-mindedness, and self-love form the foundation of civil behavior—not just in society, but within ourselves. Through thoughtful reflection and practical guidance, this book shows how personal transformation can ripple outward to foster healthier relationships, stronger communities, and a more compassionate world. (Barnes & Noble, 2025)
Civil Living is part of the Blocks of Life series, which includes:
- Blocks of Life
- Blocks of Life Volume 2: Know Yourself
- Blocks of Life Volume 3: Embracing Change
- Life Tides: Understanding Your Ebb and Flow (Blocks of Life)
- Civil Living: Finding Civility in Society, in Our Interactions, and Within Ourselves
What’s Inside
- Divisions – Finding A Way Back From The Brink
- The State of Humanity – To Evolve Or Not To Evolve
- How to Be Friendly in a Divisive World – And Why
- Forces of Evil – Why Bad Things Happen
- Getting Past the Ideal – To The Heart Of Who People Are
- And More…
Highlights
- How to Be Friendly in a Divisive World (And Why) – Wiley explains that we should strive to be friendly to people who are unfriendly to us—because that’s the only way we move forward. Plus, friendliness boosts inner peace, improves health, and simply feels good.
“Because friendliness is directly tied to inner peace and serenity, it is natural to work toward these with mindfulness practices, which also have a host of other benefits.”
- The Fluidity of Friendship – The Evolving Nature of Our Connections – We all change over time, so we should remain open to growth in ourselves and others.
“Our friendships are like floating down a river: we experience twists and turns and encounter tumultuous areas, but ultimately, the ride is worth it.”
About The Author
Pete Wiley takes advantage of his varied interests and experiences to learn about people and how they behave, interact, and grow. He applies these insights to creating Blocks of Life books, poetry, videos, music, and a blog, and interacting with his audience. He lives in Maryland with his wife and son.
Review
In Civil Living, Pete Wiley offers a refreshing and timely reminder that true civility begins within. Instead of presenting rigid rules or superficial politeness, Wiley encourages readers to look inward and explore how self-knowledge, inner peace, open-mindedness, and self-love shape how we interact with the world. His central principle, that personal growth is inseparable from building a compassionate society, is inspiring and practical.
Wiley provides tangible steps to translate insights into daily action. Whether it’s cultivating healthier relationships, contributing to stronger communities, or simply practicing patience in small exchanges, the book illustrates how inner transformation leads to outward impact.
His writing style is relaxed and conversational, making complex ideas approachable without losing depth. With short, focused chapters, the book blends philosophy, personal anecdotes, and practical wisdom into a helpful guide for improving civility.
In a world where division and incivility dominate headlines, Civil Living stands as a guide and a gentle call to action. By nurturing our inner selves, we lay the foundation for a more compassionate and connected society.
Recommended for readers of self-improvement, personal growth, and mental wellness.
“While we have seen gains in some areas, there have not been coinciding advances in critical aspects of human nature, such as wisdom and compassion. Without these, we are seriously at risk.”
*Thank you to Pete Wiley for the gifted copy for review consideration. I have not been compensated for this review and all opinions expressed here are my own
SA Examiner 