About the Author

Ray Oldenburg (1932-2022) was a professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of West Florida in Pensacola. He is known internationally for his book The Great Good Place, a surprise hit when it first appeared in 1989. He has advised cities including San Jose, Stockholm, and Osaka on community development, and often hosted friends in his own "third place," a converted garage saloon. His latest and last book was The Joy of Tippling. Karen Christensen is a writer and CEO of Berkshire Publishing Group. She corresponded with Ray Oldenburg for 20 years and invited him to work with her on the 4-volume SAGE Encyclopedia of Community.