Porch Talk: Stories of Decency, Common Sense, and Other Endangered Species

Evoking a time when life revolved around the front porch, where friends gathered, stories were told, and small moments took on larger meaning, in today’s hurry-up world, Philip Gulley’s essays remind us of the world we once shared—and can share again.

When Philip Gulley began writing newsletter essays for the members of his Quaker meeting in Indiana, he had no idea one of the essays would find its way to radio commentator Paul Harvey Jr. and be read on the air to 24 million people. Fourteen books later, with more than one million copies in print, Gulley still entertains as well as inspires from his small-town front porch.

Pull up a chair for these front porch stories of decency and common sense:

• Small Town Life: From hardware stores to Dairy Queens, rediscover the gentle rhythms and everyday wisdom of life in rural Indiana.
• Faith and Family: A Quaker pastor’s warm and witty observations on the things that matter most, from raising kids to navigating marriage.
• Clean and Wholesome Humor: Gentle, laugh-out-loud tales reminiscent of Paul Harvey that find the funny side of ordinary situations.
• Inspirational Stories: Thoughtful reflections that find larger meaning in small moments and celebrate a slower, more connected way of life.

Evoking a time when life revolved around the front porch, where friends gathered, stories were told, and small moments took on large meaning, in today's hurry-up world, Philip Gulley's essays remind us of the world we once shared—and can share again.

“Gulley … leaves us thinking that he would be a good man to spend time with.” - Bob Greene, author of And You Know You Should Be Glad

“Practical, poignant, funny, and frank—the Quaker Will Rogers rides again!” - Paul Harvey, Jr.

“Gulley skillfully mines his personal history and that of his neighbors for inspirational morsels.” - Publishers Weekly

“A charming sense of small-town life -- and a shrewd sense of life in general . . .” - Wall Street Journal

“Gulley’s “Porch Talk” provides just the thing to slow you down with the easy pace of the porch.” - Grand Rapids Press

“Inspirational.” - Oklahoma City Oklahoman

“Reading Porch Talk is like sitting next to an old friend and listening to the music of his storytelling.” - Charles Osgood, anchor of CBS Sunday Morning

“For those who like Garrison Keillor, Annie Dillard, Wendell Berry, and Kathleen Norris... “ - Booklist