"Upside" by Bradley R. E. Wright, PhD
Foreword by John Ortberg

Contact: Brett Benson, Bethany House Publishers, 952-829-2529

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., July 6, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- Many people have an impending sense of doom about our country and the world. But are their fears based on reality or twisted information?

Bradley Wright, author of the critically acclaimed book "Christians Are Hate-Filled Hypocrites...and Other Lies You've Been Told," is back to stir up the waters.

A leading academic sociologist, Wright says that things are not as bad as people think -- or as bad as the media makes it out to be. Using the best available data, along with a quick wit and a wry sense of humor, he reveals surprisingly good facts about the state of global poverty, sickness, the environment, the and more.

For instance, you might be surprised to know:

• Global poverty has been cut in half over the last several decades.
   
• Infant deaths have decreased dramatically in recent years.
   
• Crime rates have been dropping since the early 1990s.
   
• Literacy rates have soared from 25% to over 80% in the last 100 years.
   
• Divorce rates have been dropping steadily over the last 30 years.
   
• Christianity is a fast-growing and influential force in Asia and Africa.

Though our world is far from perfect, Wright argues that maybe it isn't in a downward spiral after all. In an age of pessimism and negative media bombardment, this book offers good news to readers looking for glimpses of hope.

"Brad Wright has done it again! Reading 'Upside' is the ideal vacation -- you feel refreshed and you want to tell everyone about it." -- Scot McKnight, Karl A. Olsson Professor in Religious Studies, North Park University

"Bradley Wright brings broad knowledge and a sense of humor to helping readers understand what's gotten better -- and what still needs work." -- Joel Best, Professor of Sociology, University of Delaware and bestselling author

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Bradley R. E. Wright, PhD, is Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Connecticut. After receiving tenure, Brad switched his academic focus from crime to religion in order to research American Christianity. Brad received his PhD in sociology from the University of Wisconsin, the top ranked sociology graduate program in the United States. He has a popular blog (brewright.com) based on his research. His first book, "Christians Are Hate-Filled Hypocrites …and Other Lies You've Been Told" received the 2011 Christianity Today Book Award. He’s appeared on numerous national media outlets, including USAToday.com, Foxnews.com, Moody's Chris Fabry Live! and the Drew Marshall Show. Brad is married, has two children, and lives in Connecticut.

Upside: Surprising Good News About the State of Our World
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0836-2
Trade Paper; $14.99; 256 pp.
July 2011
Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group
www.bethanyhouse.com