Here are two highly recommended books on social action, both from the practical point of view. The first is from the Midwest Academy, a Chicago-based social change activist school that since the 1970s has been training organizers for communities, unions, women's groups and other social movements.

Organizing for Social Change: Midwest Academy: Manual for Activists by Kim Bobo, Jackie Kendall and Steve Max.

The Activist's Handbook: A Primer Updated Edition with a New Preface by Randy Shaw

Marriage from the Heart:
Eight Commitments of a Spiritually Fulfilling Life Together
by Lois Kellerman

Simply the best book on committed relationships that I've found. Unlike too many books that focus on what's wrong with a relationship, Kellerman focuses on how to make a relationship strong by building on strengths.

Every couple -- whether married or not -- can use this book and methodology to build a more fulfilling relationship in which both can grow and change and become more themselves.

This book makes an excellent wedding or anniversary gift for a couple whose relationship is already good -- and who may want to "go deeper."

Marriage from the Heart - from Amazon.com

Edwin H. Friedman's fables illustrate the sticky issues of leadership and family relationships and can help to trigger recognition and problem-solving.

Friedman's Fables (with booklet)
Edwin H. Friedman
Audio Cassette (abridged) also available

Friedman's full-scale treatment of family systems - specifically written with clergy in mind but useful for parents, counselors, leaders and others as well
Generation to Generation
Edwin H. Friedman
Hardcover - 1985

The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization
Peter M. Senge / Hardcover / Published 1990 -- Audio Cassettes / Published 1994 -- Paperback / Published 1994

The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook: Strategies and Tools for Building a Learning Organization
Peter M. Senge (Editor), et al / Paperback / Published 1994

Web site for more info on this series and concept: http://www.fieldbook.com

Also see: What is organizational learning?

Ethics for Everyone: How to Increase Your Moral Intelligence
by Arthur Dobrin

Written clearly enough for adolescents and young adults to understand, and yet with enough sophistication in the ideas that adults of all ages can grow and learn. Dobrin begins with a short overview of common ethical approaches, and then, for the rest of the book, presents difficult ethical dilemmas, with some insight into the thinking process for each one.

Leadership Without Easy Answers
Ronald A. Heifetz / Hardcover / Published 1994

Heifetz balances a concern with ethics and effectiveness in leading organizations. Challenging approaches to issues of authority, democracy, and the courage required to tackle the real problems facing an organization make this one of the best books on leadership. Useful for volunteer and professional leaders of today's congregations, social change organizations, other not for profit organizations, as well as for profit-making organizations concerned about long term issues and not just the short term:

An inspiring and practical guide for anyone leading (formally or informally) an organization in changing times.

Another book on leadership:
Leadership
James MacGregor Burns / Paperback / Published 1985