The YMCA: 175 Years of Innovation That Shaped America
A Landmark New Book - Coming September 2026
A Landmark New Book - Coming September 2026
A Landmark New Book - Coming September 2026
For 175 years, the YMCA has responded to some of America’s most urgent needs with ideas that changed communities—and, in many cases, the nation.
Now, acclaimed historian James L. Haley and YMCA communications leader Sean Patrick Doles bring this story to life in a definitive, beautifully written volume that your YMCA can use to strengthen mission, culture, and engagement.
For 175 years, the YMCA has responded to some of America’s most urgent needs with ideas that changed communities—and, in many cases, the nation.
Now, acclaimed historian James L. Haley and YMCA communications leader Sean Patrick Doles bring this story to life in a definitive, beautifully written volume that your YMCA can use to strengthen mission, culture, and engagement.
For 175 years, the YMCA has responded to some of America’s most urgent needs with ideas that changed communities—and, in many cases, the nation.
Now, acclaimed historian James L. Haley and YMCA communications leader Sean Patrick Doles bring this story to life in a definitive, beautifully written volume that your YMCA can use to strengthen mission, culture, and engagement.
The Story of an Organization That Helped Shape America
Publishing September 21, 2026
The YMCA’s influence reaches far beyond its familiar buildings and programs.
Across nearly two centuries, YMCA leaders, staff, and volunteers have helped develop new approaches to education, housing, public health, recreation, military service, youth leadership, racial inclusion, immigrant support, and community development. The movement helped give rise to basketball and volleyball, expanded organized camping and swimming instruction, supported service members during wartime, and created places of belonging for generations of Americans.
The YMCA: 175 Years of Innovation That Shaped America brings these stories together in a richly illustrated narrative that connects the YMCA’s origins in 1851 with the challenges and opportunities facing the movement today.
This is more than a record of what the YMCA has accomplished. It is a reminder of what becomes possible when local leaders recognize a community need and have the courage to respond.
A Meaningful Resource for Every YMCA
This book was created for people who care about the YMCA’s mission and its future. YMCA Associations can use copies in a variety of ways:
Board & Leadership Development
Help new board members and emerging leaders understand the history, scale, and larger purpose of the movement they have joined. The book provides a shared foundation for conversations about mission, innovation, and community responsibility.
Board & Leadership Development
Help new board members and emerging leaders understand the history, scale, and larger purpose of the movement they have joined. The book provides a shared foundation for conversations about mission, innovation, and community responsibility.
Board & Leadership Development
Help new board members and emerging leaders understand the history, scale, and larger purpose of the movement they have joined. The book provides a shared foundation for conversations about mission, innovation, and community responsibility.
Staff Orientation & Recognition
Connect employees’ daily work to a national movement that has continually adapted to meet changing community needs. Copies can also serve as meaningful gifts for retiring executives, longtime staff members, and distinguished volunteers.
Staff Orientation & Recognition
Connect employees’ daily work to a national movement that has continually adapted to meet changing community needs. Copies can also serve as meaningful gifts for retiring executives, longtime staff members, and distinguished volunteers.
Staff Orientation & Recognition
Connect employees’ daily work to a national movement that has continually adapted to meet changing community needs. Copies can also serve as meaningful gifts for retiring executives, longtime staff members, and distinguished volunteers.
Donor & Volunteer Stewardship
Thank major donors, campaign leaders, community partners, and volunteers with a lasting gift that demonstrates the breadth of the YMCA’s influence and the importance of sustaining its work.
Donor & Volunteer Stewardship
Thank major donors, campaign leaders, community partners, and volunteers with a lasting gift that demonstrates the breadth of the YMCA’s influence and the importance of sustaining its work.
Donor & Volunteer Stewardship
Thank major donors, campaign leaders, community partners, and volunteers with a lasting gift that demonstrates the breadth of the YMCA’s influence and the importance of sustaining its work.
Community Engagement
Share the book with elected officials, school leaders, corporate partners, foundations, and civic organizations to help explain the YMCA’s historic role as a trusted community institution.
Community Engagement
Share the book with elected officials, school leaders, corporate partners, foundations, and civic organizations to help explain the YMCA’s historic role as a trusted community institution.
Community Engagement
Share the book with elected officials, school leaders, corporate partners, foundations, and civic organizations to help explain the YMCA’s historic role as a trusted community institution.
Archives & Anniversary Celebrations
Add the book to association, branch, camp, and community archives, or incorporate it into local anniversaries, heritage programs, board retreats, and special events.
Archives & Anniversary Celebrations
Add the book to association, branch, camp, and community archives, or incorporate it into local anniversaries, heritage programs, board retreats, and special events.
Archives & Anniversary Celebrations
Add the book to association, branch, camp, and community archives, or incorporate it into local anniversaries, heritage programs, board retreats, and special events.
About the Author
About the Author
About the Author
James L. Haley is an award-winning historian and author of acclaimed works spanning American history, biography, and fiction. A Texas native, he began his career at 19 with a nationally published piece in American Heritage Magazine.
His books include The Buffalo War, Apaches, and Sam Houston, along with Passionate Nation, which won the T.R. Fehrenbach Book Award. He has also written novels and co-authored memoirs, with some works adapted for film.
Haley has lectured nationwide and now lives in Austin, Texas, where he continues to research and write.
James L. Haley is an award-winning historian and author of acclaimed works spanning American history, biography, and fiction. A Texas native, he began his career at 19 with a nationally published piece in American Heritage Magazine.
His books include The Buffalo War, Apaches, and Sam Houston, along with Passionate Nation, which won the T.R. Fehrenbach Book Award. He has also written novels and co-authored memoirs, with some works adapted for film.
Haley has lectured nationwide and now lives in Austin, Texas, where he continues to research and write.
Supporting the YMCA's Next Era of Innovation
Supporting the YMCA's Next Era of Innovation
The story of the YMCA has always been a story of people seeing a need and finding a new way to meet it. Triangle2 is supporting this project not only to preserve that history, but also to help inspire the next generation of YMCA leadership and innovation.
Net proceeds from book sales will support the development of the Triangle2 Innovation Fund intended to help advance promising programs and new approaches across the YMCA movement. By purchasing the book, associations and partners will help preserve the YMCA’s history while investing in its future.
Book Order Information
Find information on ordering options, tax exempt, bulk ordering, shipping, etc.
$40.00 (hardcover). Pricing in other currencies (£, €, CAD, AUD) is available at checkout depending on where you are ordering from.
US, UK, or Australia: Order directly through our link (added soon) for the fastest, most direct option. The book is also available on Amazon and WalMart. Availability, cost, and delivery time will depend on your location, since this is handled by Amazon directly. If ordering through a tax exempt Amazon acccount, tax will not be charged. The tax exempt account must be setup through Amazon.
The book is distributed through Ingram, so it may be orderable through bookstores and libraries in addition to Amazon and our direct link — availability varies by location.
Yes — for orders of up to 20 copies, you can use our direct order link. For orders of 20+ copies, please email us at book@triangle2.com first so we can coordinate shipping and timing.
Not yet but we are working on it!
Contact Book@Triangle2.com. We aim to respond within 24-48 business hours.
Does the direct order link ship internationally? The direct link currently ships to the US, UK, and Australia only. If you are located elsewhere, please search for the book on Amazon instead — shipping options there will vary by country. Who pays for shipping? Shipping (and any applicable tax) is calculated and charged at checkout based on your location — it is not included in the $40.00 price. How long will shipping take? Delivery times vary by location and shipping method selected at checkout. Standard/economy shipping will take longer than rush options where available.
If ordering a bulk (20+) order, Triangle2 will pay for the tax. Orders can also be made through retailers if the retailer account is setup as tax exempt.
$40.00 (hardcover). Pricing in other currencies (£, €, CAD, AUD) is available at checkout depending on where you are ordering from.
US, UK, or Australia: Order directly through our link (added soon) for the fastest, most direct option. The book is also available on Amazon and WalMart. Availability, cost, and delivery time will depend on your location, since this is handled by Amazon directly. If ordering through a tax exempt Amazon acccount, tax will not be charged. The tax exempt account must be setup through Amazon.
The book is distributed through Ingram, so it may be orderable through bookstores and libraries in addition to Amazon and our direct link — availability varies by location.
Yes — for orders of up to 20 copies, you can use our direct order link. For orders of 20+ copies, please email us at book@triangle2.com first so we can coordinate shipping and timing.
Not yet but we are working on it!
Contact Book@Triangle2.com. We aim to respond within 24-48 business hours.
Does the direct order link ship internationally? The direct link currently ships to the US, UK, and Australia only. If you are located elsewhere, please search for the book on Amazon instead — shipping options there will vary by country. Who pays for shipping? Shipping (and any applicable tax) is calculated and charged at checkout based on your location — it is not included in the $40.00 price. How long will shipping take? Delivery times vary by location and shipping method selected at checkout. Standard/economy shipping will take longer than rush options where available.
If ordering a bulk (20+) order, Triangle2 will pay for the tax. Orders can also be made through retailers if the retailer account is setup as tax exempt.
$40.00 (hardcover). Pricing in other currencies (£, €, CAD, AUD) is available at checkout depending on where you are ordering from.
US, UK, or Australia: Order directly through our link (added soon) for the fastest, most direct option. The book is also available on Amazon and WalMart. Availability, cost, and delivery time will depend on your location, since this is handled by Amazon directly. If ordering through a tax exempt Amazon acccount, tax will not be charged. The tax exempt account must be setup through Amazon.
The book is distributed through Ingram, so it may be orderable through bookstores and libraries in addition to Amazon and our direct link — availability varies by location.
Yes — for orders of up to 20 copies, you can use our direct order link. For orders of 20+ copies, please email us at book@triangle2.com first so we can coordinate shipping and timing.
Not yet but we are working on it!
Contact Book@Triangle2.com. We aim to respond within 24-48 business hours.
Does the direct order link ship internationally? The direct link currently ships to the US, UK, and Australia only. If you are located elsewhere, please search for the book on Amazon instead — shipping options there will vary by country. Who pays for shipping? Shipping (and any applicable tax) is calculated and charged at checkout based on your location — it is not included in the $40.00 price. How long will shipping take? Delivery times vary by location and shipping method selected at checkout. Standard/economy shipping will take longer than rush options where available.
If ordering a bulk (20+) order, Triangle2 will pay for the tax. Orders can also be made through retailers if the retailer account is setup as tax exempt.