In 1943, the renowned theologian Reinhold Niebuhr wrote a prayer for a New England village church service. Its appeal for grace, courage and wisdom became famous the world over. Niebuhr's daughter reclaims the history of the Serenity Prayer and tells of the efforts made by those who devoted their lives to the causes of social justice, racial equality and religious freedom in a world spiralling out of economic depression and into war. Elisabeth Sifton reminds us of what is possible when liberal, open-minded leaders shape the conscience of a nation.