Political activism / Political engagement Books

Book SynopsisThe incredible memoir of Elaine Brown - the first woman leader of the Black Panthers''Here I was, a woman, proclaiming supreme power over the most militant organization in America''In 1974 Elaine Brown became the first woman leader of the Black Panther Party. This is her unforgettable memoir, charting her rise from an impoverished neighbourhood in Philadelphia, through her political awakening during a bohemian adolescence, and on to her time as a foot soldier for the Panthers and ascent into its male-dominated upper ranks. It is a seminal exploration of power, racism and one woman''s revolutionary struggle.''Heart-wrenching, wild and moving ... a glowing achievement'' Los Angeles Times''What Elaine Brown writes is so astonishing, at times it is even difficult to believe she survived it. And yet she did, bringing us that amazing light of the black woman''s magical resilience'' Alice WalkerTrade ReviewHonest, funny, subjective, unsparing, and passionate ... A Taste of Power weaves autobiography and political history into a story that fascinates and illuminates * The Washington Post *A stunning picture of a black woman's coming of age in America. Put it on the shelf beside The Autobiography of Malcolm X * Kirkus *What Elaine Brown writes is so astonishing, at times it is even difficult to believe she survived it. And yet she did, bringing us that amazing light of the black woman's magical resilience, in the gloominess of our bitter despair -- Alice WalkerAstonishing [and] heart wrenching ... Movie makers, where are you? This narration is as wild and moving as Bonnie and Clyde ... It also has beautiful, touching, heartbreaking accounts of a lonely black childhood ... Brown sees racial oppression in national and global context; every political word she writes pounds home a lesson about commerce, money, racism, communism ... A glowing achievement ... A profound, funny and heartbreaking American story * Los Angeles Times *A Taste of Power is chilling, well-written, and profoundly entertaining * The New York Times Book Review *This is the kind of book you develop a relationship with - one of those tumultuous, passionate relationships commonly reserved for lovers ... Fascinating ... Remarkable * Boston Review *

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Book SynopsisOccupy gives Noam Chomsky''s thoughts on a movement which swept the world ''Occupy is the first major public response to thirty years of class war.''Since its appearance in Zuccotti Park, New York, in September 2011, the Occupy movement has spread to hundreds of towns and cities across the world. No longer occupying small tent camps, the movement now occupies the global conscience as its messages spread from street protests to op-ed pages to the highest seats of power. From the movement''s onset, Noam Chomsky has supported its critique of corporate corruption and encouraged its efforts to increase civic participation, economic equality, democracy and freedom. Through talks and conversations with movement supporters, Occupy presents Chomsky''s latest thinking on the central issues, questions and demands that are driving ordinary people to protest. How did we get to this point? How are the wealthiest 1% influencing the lives of the o

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Book SynopsisWe''re living in an age of division. From abortion rights to immigration, gun control to climate change, civil debate has gone out the window. Manners, order, and respect are being eroded. Why can''t we all be reasonable? The trouble is, what''s ''reasonable'' to one person is outrageous to another. Is it okay to let children play in the garden while others are working from home? To do your makeup on a train, or recline your seat on an aeroplane? What''s the right way to breastfeed? To protect your neighbourhood? To protest against injustice and oppression? In a world where we all think we''re being reasonable, how can we figure out what''s right? Looking back through history and around the world, Kirsty Sedgman set out to discover how unfairness and discrimination got baked into our social norms, dividing us along lines of gender, class, disability, sexuality, race... Instead of measuring human behaviour against outdated standards of rules and reason,

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Book SynopsisA vital work on labour movement strategy by experienced union activistsTrade Review'An excellent review of the attack on teachers and their unions, by authors well placed to point to ways to improve the fight back and resistance' -- Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary NEU, Formerly Gen Secretary NUT'This accessible book is for any worker seeking new ways to organise class struggle' -- Alex Gordon, The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers President'A fascinating and insightful contribution: on the machinations of organising on the ground, straight from those on the frontline; agitating educators, successful in building density during a period of unprecedented anti-union attacks. A must-read for anyone serious about building worker confidence in education and beyond' -- Shelly Asquith, TUC Health & Safety Officer and Chair of Stop the War'An important contribution to the development of education unionism. We’re reminded of the vital role of workplace organisation, failure of social partnership, and the need of an active rank and file in order to fight neoliberalism in education' -- Henry Fowler & Robert Poole, Co-founders, Strike Map‘The crisis of organized labor is not reserved to the United States. Through this book we are introduced to the crisis in Britain and the steps that have been taken to renew and transform trade unionism into a 21st century movement! Welcome to an in depth look at the challenges and possibilities for a different approach to trade unionism.’ -- Bill Fletcher, Jr., coauthor of 'Solidarity Divided'; author of 'They're Bankrupting Us!: And Twenty Other Myths about Unions''Makes clear the reality of organising in a sector that has been systematically privatised by multiple governments and one where the word vocation is used as an excuse to exploit those working within it. This book also shows that even in difficult circumstances it is possible to resist constant attacks from the mainstream media, government cuts and corporate greed. A must read for those in unions seeking to renew and grow' -- Sarah Woolley, Trade Union Leader'A cogent and passionate case for the continued renewal of teacher trade unionism. It is a renewal that is urgently needed not just to defend living standards and working conditions but to salvage and recreate the very purpose, and values, of education itself' -- Melissa Benn, author of 'School Wars and Life Lessons: The Case for a National Education Service''A devastating critique of the battle waged by the government over the purpose of education' -- Jane Holgate, Author of 'Arise''hopeful and optimistic' -- Jo Grady, UCU General Secretary'An essential read for anyone who wants to understand the importance of collective resistance against the onslaught of neoliberal ideas in education' -- Venda Premkumar, District Secretary, Redbridge NEU'Examines the theory and practice of union organising in tangible ways using real-life case studies from the UK. Because Lessons in Organising examines some fundamental truths about union campaigning, its messages are universal, highly relevant to other places and other unions including our own' -- Maurie Mulheron, Immediate Past President New South Wales Teachers Federation (2012-2020) and Angelo Gavrielatos, Current President New South Wales Teachers Federation (2020-present)‘Provides important direction for all of us committed to strengthening the labor movement and winning the fight against corporate 'reform' in education' -- Matthew Luskin, Director of Organising and Representation, Chicago Teachers Union‘For anyone engaged in organising the labour movement, this book is essential reading. It is well written and engaging. It provides case studies that can be used as a guide. Buy the book. Read it. Give it as a gift and see you at the picket lines.’ -- ‘Counterfire’Table of Contents1. Introduction 2. The Crisis of Organised Labour 3. Class Wars: Public Education and the War on Teachers 4. Building Power in the Workplace 5. Breaking Neoliberal Hegemony in Education 6. Organising in a Crisis 7. Lessons in Organising References

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Book SynopsisInspiring and practical, BE THE CHANGE is the essential handbook for the budding activist.''Gina Martin is a sensation'' The Secret Barrister''Gina Martin''s powerful campaigning and vital activism changed the law, making our country safer for women and girls. This book tells us how she did it - and how you can too'' Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London''Gina is a total inspiration - an example of how one person CAN change things'' Emma GannonIn June 2017, a man took a photo up Gina Martin''s skirt at a music festival. The police told her that this was not a sexual offence; the man would not be charged.The law had let Gina down, and her first reaction was resignation. But something inside her had snapped. Gina was tired of accepting sexual harassment as a fact of life.Eighteen months later, she had changed the law and made upskirting a criminal offence.Now, Gina wants Trade ReviewBe the Change is a comprehensive toolkit for the modern activist to equip us to fight for change - big or small, local or global. Be inspired by Martin's achievements, and be the change * Stylist *A useful guide to how to make the changes you want to see personally -- Lorraine Candy * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisA user's guide to Activism by one of the UK's biggest names in grass-roots campaigning shows in a few simple steps how we can all make a difference.

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Book SynopsisOn November 14, 1960, at the age of six, Ruby Bridges became the first black child to integrate an all-white school in New Orleans. Escorted by federal marshals past angry segregationist protesters, young Ruby attended William Frantz Elementary and earned a place in civil rights history. Sixty years later, Ruby has written an impassioned letter to young people engaging in the fight for racial equality. Her words, a call to action imbued with love and grace, are paired with black-and-white photographs from then-and now. This Is Your Time will inspire readers as the struggle for liberty and justice for all continues, and the powerful legacy of Ruby Bridges endures.

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Book SynopsisFrom bestselling author and provocateur Christopher Hitchens, the classic guide to the art of principled dissent and disagreementTrade Review"Hitchens is expanding his influence, showing the next generation how to 'think independently'." - USA Today"

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Book Synopsis''For its historical depth, analytical vigour and mobilizational potential, this book is unparalleled ... every page is an urgent invitation to resist'' David Lammy MP The bestselling author of PostCapitalism offers a guide to resisting the far rightThe far right is on the rise across the world. From Modi''s India to Bolsonaro''s Brazil and Erdogan''s Turkey, fascism is not a horror that we have left in the past; it is a recurring nightmare that is happening again - and we need to find a better way to fight it.In How to Stop Fascism, Paul Mason offers a radical, hopeful blueprint for resisting and defeating the new far right. The book is both a chilling portrait of contemporary fascism, and a compelling history of the fascist phenomenon: its psychological roots, political theories and genocidal logic. Fascism, Mason powerfully argues, is a symptom of capitalist failure, and it has haunted us throughout the twentieth century.History shows us the conditions that breed fascism, and how it can be successfully overcome. But it is up to us in the present to challenge it, and time is running out. From the ashes of COVID-19, we have an opportunity to create a fairer, more equal society. To do so, we must ask ourselves: what kind of world do we want to live in? And what are we going to do about it?Trade ReviewFor its historical depth, analytical vigour and mobilizational potential, this book is unparalleled. How to Stop Fascism is a visceral reminder of what's at stake, and every page is an urgent invitation to resist. -- David Lammy MPPaul Mason argues for a broader anti-fascist political movement that may have felt radical ten years ago but now feels only more and more necessary. History is a reminder that we are never far from the risk of living under fascism. It can happen anywhere. Mason tells that history with passion and sincerity, framing it perfectly against the present. -- Angela Saini, author of Superior: The Return of Race ScienceMason's How to Stop Fascism is massively useful ... his one-line definition of the phenomenon really seized my brain ... a good toolbox. -- Pat Kane * The National *Mason doesn't flinch from questioning rigid orthodoxies. This is an erudite effort, of interest to anyone looking for a deep exploration of the origins of fascism or fearful that Trump, Bolsonaro or a resurgent far-right across Europe presage a return to humanity's darkest hours. -- Vic Duggan * Irish Times *

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Book SynopsisIt's time to reclaim our mental health!Trade Review‘An inquisitive and nuanced look at a topic that we talk so much about and yet still don’t really have much of a holistic grasp on’ -- ‘gal dem’‘A radical antidote to the constraints of our current conceptualisation of mental health’ -- ‘Dazed’'Really brilliant...this is by far the best introduction to mad politics I've ever read.' -- Robert Chapman, Senior Lecturer in Education at Sheffield Hallam University'In these urgent times, activists are often seeking guidance on radical approaches to mental health. Mad World offers a welcome and refreshing guide to a progressive politics of mental health – an indispensable resource for activists today' -- Hel Spandler, Editor, 'Asylum: the radical mental health magazine''Wow! An honest, urgent and lovingly researched invitation to rethink our assumptions about madness. 'Mad World' is an invaluable toolkit, not just for dismantling oppressive health structures, but for building the systems of care we desperately need. This book is a gift and that gift is hope.' -- Aisha Mirza, founder of Misery mental health collective'An urgent introduction to a new radical politics of mental health which embraces the messy, unruly nature of our collective vulnerability and interdependence. Frazer-Carroll exposes the underlying truth that capitalism is fundamentally incompatible with our wellbeing. Mad World teaches us how to transform the ways we understand madness, illness, and disability to build a better world.' -- Beatrice Adler-Bolton, co-author of 'Health Communism'‘Frazer-Carroll takes on the politics of mental health with accessibility, compassion and curiosity. She calls for critical, progressive thinking and radical change to systems that have been tools of oppression for far too long’ -- ‘Ms. Magazine’‘Frazer-Carroll takes aim at the individualisation of mental health, arguing for radical, political change’ -- ‘Huck’‘This incredibly thought-provoking debut shows the need for new, deeper, and more radical mental health conversations. This book doesn’t just think outside the box, it rips the box wide open' -- Rhys Thomas, Woo‘An accessible and in-depth tool for thinking radically and politically about mental health in the 21st century’ -- Adele Walton, journalist and Dazed book columnist‘An incredibly well-written and clear-thinking introduction to the issues at stake in the mad movement. It offers a contemporary and forward-thinking analysis of how mental well-being is both damaged and politicised in capitalist society’ -- ‘National Survivor User Network’Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. Asylums 2. 'Knowing' Mental Health Today 3. Mental Health in a Maddening World 4. Why Work is Sickening 5. Disability / Possibility 6. Diagnosing Diagnosis 7. On Disavowal and Disorder 8. Art for Mental Health 9. Law and Disorder 10. Other Possibilities Conclusion

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Book SynopsisErin Brockovich meets Dallas Buyers Club, All The Young Men is a gripping and triumphant tale of human compassion, telling the true story of a young single mother who finds herself driven to the forefront of the AIDS crisis, and who risks everything to give victims back their humanity.Trade ReviewMy friend Ruth Coker Burks is one of the most amazing people I know. The care she gave HIV-positive gay men in and around our hometown of Hot Springs, Arkansas during the desperate early days of the AIDS crisis helped them live and die with dignity in the face of stigma and discrimination. In All the Young Men, Ruth tells their stories and hers with the same warmth, wit, grace, and gumption that I have admired for decades. This book will make you love her as much as I do. * FORMER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON *Deeply moving memoir [that] honours the extraordinary life of Ruth Coker Burks and the beloved men who fought valiantly for their lives during a most hostile and misinformed time... a must read * RU PAUL *It's a tale of high drama and mesmerising detail, but also of breath-taking courage and compassion [...]a beautiful book, catching [Ruth's] Southern sass and charm. * The Sunday Times *It's a brighter story of human nature [...] this is a paean to making friendships across boundaries, to being kind even when the cost is nearly unbearable. * The Guardian *shocking but ultimately uplifting... an extraordinary tale, and its publication now in the midst of a very different pandemic - one in which compassion appears to be universal - resonates in a way that makes it all the more powerful. * Evening Standard *a remarkable tale of suffering, kindness and courage... vivid portrait of this community, which never lost hope and which looked after its own, got dressed up and found joy amid the tragedy. * i newspaper *it's [...] a reminder of the goodness in people and that we have come through worse things before. At its heart, it's a story of overcoming fear. And, right now, that might be just what we need. * Irish Sunday Independent *A brilliantly evocative memoir about the 1980s pandemic some people would still sooner forget - and about a woman who could have easily turned the other cheek. More Dolly Parton than Mother Teresa, Ruth Coker Burks doesn't try to paint herself as a heroine: just someone who couldn't help but do the right thing for hundreds of men dying alone of AIDS. Ru Paul was right: it's a must-read. * VIV GROSKOP *A moving, inspiring testament to one woman's courage, love and kindness in the midst of a deadly hate-filled pandemic. * Peter Tatchell *A truly incredible story told with the most fullest heart warming honesty. Ruth is an inspiration. * CARIAD LLOYD *Know this will be an incredible important read... * SIMON SAVIDGE, Savidge Reads *This astonishing modern-day Good Samaritan story will move you to tears of sadness and outrage, but also buoy you. For Coker Burns is a do-gooder with sass. And hers is a story of ordinary but heroic human empathy that we could all do with reading right now. * CAROLINE SANDERSON, The Bookseller *In this gripping account, Ruth Coker Burks explains how she became an 'accidental activist' [...] Her own family life and friendships were tested to the limit by this work, but her story highlights the transformative power of kindness.' * WOMAN *All The Young Men was extraordinary - she's extraordinary. Love in action. * SARAH WINMAN *A powerful memoir... Burks's spirited, straightforward prose balances the heartbreak of her story with just enough humor and toughness. A must-read for anyone interested in narratives of front-line responses to the early AIDS crisis as well as personal accounts of kindness and determination. * Library Journal, starred review *Burks' vivid memories of 'my guys' and the trials she endured fighting against prejudice offer a portrait of courageous compassion that is both rare and inspiring . . . [A] deeply moving, meaningful book. * Kirkus Reviews *Anecdotes of small-town gay bars and drag queen rivalries add levity to tales of hardship and sacrifice-crosses set ablaze on her lawn, her young daughter ostracized at school . . . This worthy account offers as much bitter as sweet. * Publishers Weekly *If you are hungry for a humane approach to an epidemic, read this astonishing book. * RICHIE JACKSON, author of Gay Like *Throughout the memoir, it's hard not to fall in love with Burks for her big-heartedness and enduring sense of humor in the face of suffering...As Burks forges a path alongside these vulnerable men, her embrace of education and rejection of bigotry light the way forward for us all * Book Page *All The Young Men is an urgent story that needs to be told about the early years of AIDS in the American South. From her first moving encounter with an abandoned young man hours before he died, Ruth Coker Burks cares for ill gay men and fights homophobia with compassion, wit, courage and righteous anger. It's inspiring and compelling to read of her battles against indignities and intimidation, bigoted families and churches, and demeaning health care. The reader cheers her on when Coker Burks finds both opponents and allies in her work. She writes of Jimmy, Howard, Douglas, Danny, Neil, Tim and Jim, Marc, Bob and Phil, Chip, Luke, Angel, Jerry, Misty, Billy and all her 'guys': 'I wanted them to be counted, to have their lives matter.' All The Young Men achieves that beautifully, memorably, in their honour. * ROBERT HAMBERGER, author of A Length of Road *An extraordinary story of an extraordinary woman fighting for the rights of people with AIDS - and for the very acknowledgement of their existence - in her native Arkansas, in the early years of the crisis. Challenging, and sometimes changing hostile attitudes of individuals, communities, church and state she battled with courage, wit, knowledge, compassion, and a heart of solid gold for the local gay community and for those gay men who, coming home to die, were rejected by their families. Because for Ruth, this was love in action - it was the right thing to do. She and her daughter Allie became family with 'her guys'; a simply astonishing memoir. * KATE CHARLESWORTH *this gripping account [...] highlights the transformative power of kindness. * Woman & Home *A beautifully written, moving account of a time that I remember all too vividly. I'm a long-term survivor with almost thirty years facing stigma, discrimination and often rejection. We need to remember how badly the world at large behaved towards a small group of people who often died alone and in fear, we also need to honour those few who offered love and support at that time. A deeply emotional read. * JUNO ROCHE *All The Young Men is extraordinary and so is the woman whose story this is. You just want to hug her and all the young men she fought for * DAMIAN BARR *A story of ordinary but heroic human empathy -- CAROLINE SANDERSON * The Plymouth Herald *

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Book SynopsisTomiwa Owolade writes about social, cultural and literary issues for the New Statesman, The Times, the Sunday Times, the Observer, UnHerd and the Evening Standard. He has appeared on BBC Radio 4 and Times Radio discussing some of the ideas in this book. He won top prize at the RSL Giles St Aubyn Awards 2021.

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Book SynopsisA China Books Review Best China Book of 2023 Leta Hong Fincher''s landmark book Leftover Women shone a light on the resurgence of gender inequality in 21st-century China. Ten years on, women in China continue to experience a dramatic rolling back of rights and gains in the increasingly patriarchal political climate of the Xi Jinping era. Leftover Women explores the structural discrimination against women and the broader problems with China's economy, politics, and development that lie behind it. This updated edition includes a new preface exploring developments in China in the 10 years since the book''s original publication, including the new three child policy, the growth in online feminist and LGBTQ activism and the state''s increasingly repressive moves against dissent.Trade ReviewMakes a powerful — and provocative — argument that China’s female shortage, far from empowering women, has actually resulted in a situation where urban women’s rights are increasingly imperilled…Leftover Women [will] leave readers coldly angry. * LA Review of Books *A chilling account of the pressures on Chinese strivers… One hopes that Leftover Women will soon be translated into Chinese, as it is likely to resonate deeply with urban educated women. It seems the party has forgotten the Mao-era dictum: “Women Hold Up Half the Sky.” * The New York Times *Leta Hong Fincher's subject – researched through statistical analysis, sociological surveys and extensive first-hand interviewing – is the toxic vitality of sexism in China today…[Leftover Women] is scattered with inspiring life-stories of courageous women who have faced down appalling discrimination. * The Guardian *Leta Hong Fincher’s book was not only an instant classic, it was downright clairvoyant: Seeing what others miss, she foresaw a seismic shift in the public mood, which has intensified in the past decade. The revised edition is urgent reading; it holds essential insights into China’s economic and political future. * Evan Osnos, winner of the National Book Award, author of Age of Ambition *An eye-opening, groundbreaking book that cast light on critical yet overlooked changes in China - and which seems more timely than ever ten years on. * Tania Branigan, author of Red Memory: Living, Remembering and Forgetting China's Cultural Revolution *The past decade has time and again underlined the prescience of Leta Hong Fincher’s Leftover Women. This groundbreaking book made a powerful case for how state propaganda and cultural norms combined to exclude Chinese women from the wealth creation springing from the country’s rapid economic development. In this new version, Hong Fincher illustrates how women are beginning to fight back, and the obstacles lined up against them. This book is more relevant than ever to anyone who wants to understand China - read it and rage. * Louisa Lim, Author of Indelible City, and The People’s Republic of Amnesia *In lively and accessible prose, Hong Fincher demonstrates conclusively that urban professional women have been disproportionately disadvantaged during China’s breakneck economic development and largest wealth accumulation in human history. Hong Fincher exhaustively cites media, government statistics, her own interviews, and her Weibo survey results to substantiate the fact that gender inequality in China has reappeared with a vengeance and shows no signs of abating any time soon. * Rebecca E. Karl, New York University *Cast aside what you think you know about the “empowered” women of China today. Modern Chinese women are under pressure in a society that often locks them out of social equality, property rights, and legal protection from domestic abuse. This is the reality that China scholar Leta Hong Fincher puts forward in her study of resurgent gender inequality in China. Her book is a well-researched and riveting read, including a number of gripping personal accounts straight from China’s so-called “leftover women”. For any curious observer of China or women’s issues, this is one to read. * Kristie Lu Stout, anchor/correspondent, CNN International *Making the most of her experience as a journalist and her training in sociology, Leta Hong Fincher draws on previous breakthrough works in Chinese gender studies and her own interviews, while proving equally at home summarizing statistics and telling poignant tales of individual experience. The result is an engagingly written, thought-provoking work on a crucially important but often overlooked subject. Essential reading. * Jeffrey Wasserstrom, author of China in the 21st Century: What Everyone Needs to Know *Table of ContentsPreface to the Revised Edition Introduction 1. China's 'Leftover' Women 2. How Chinese Women were Shut Out of the Biggest Accumulation of Real-Estate Wealth in History 3. China's Giant Gender Wealth Gap 4. Back to the Ming Dynasty 5. Wives Caught in China's Web of Abuse 6. Fighting Back Index

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Book SynopsisBack to Black traces the long and eminent history of Black radical politics. Born out of resistance to slavery and colonialism, its rich past encompasses figures such as Marcus Garvey, Angela Davis, the Black Panthers and the Black Lives Matter activists of today. At its core it argues that racism is inexorably embedded in the fabric of society, and that it can never be overcome unless by enacting change outside of this suffocating system. Yet this Black radicalism has been diluted and moderated over time; wilfully misrepresented and caricatured by others; divested of its legacy, potency, and force. Kehinde Andrews explores the true roots of this tradition and connects the dots to today’s struggles by showing what a renewed politics of Black radicalism might look like in the 21st century.Trade ReviewAndrews takes the concepts that underpin so much of our woolly, contemporary talk about blackness, structural racism, pan-Africanism and – most of all – radicalism, and does the hard, essential work of re-inserting meaning and critique into the debate. An unflinching and authentic contribution. * Afua Hirsch, author of Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging *This book shows that the liberal road to reform was a dead end; it is time to commit to revolution. * Black Agenda Report *Back to Black by Kehinde Andrews has made me reassess my view of reparations for slavery. I actually felt the shift happening. * Emily Maitlis, BBC journalist and presenter *Andrews pulls no punches. His concept of black radicalism is raw and powerful. This book is sure to provoke, and will gain him adversaries – both black and white – because of the home truths it exposes. * Femi Nylander, Rhodes Must Fall *A fiery, in-depth investigation of black radicalism and a call for a more revolutionary, liberated society across the globe. * Foreword Reviews *Andrews is ferocious and brilliant and absolutely indispensable. * Junot Díaz *And of what is attainable: survival or liberation? Andrews’s book inspires such reflection, and what is to be gained from Back to Black is the inferred possibility and perceived hopefulness of the existence of an anti-oppressive society. * LSE Review of Books *Back to Black redefines the Black radicalism which came to prominence through the work of Malcom X during the civil rights movement against a whole host of ideologies with which is it constantly confused. Black radicalism is not, he tells us, simply “a tradition”: we need to understand it “as its own political ideology”, and a blueprint for major change … For debates about global inequality and injustice to progress, we need writers like Kehinde Andrews. * New Statesman *Redefines the Black radicalism which came to prominence through the work of Malcom. We need writers like Kehinde Andrews. * New Statesman *Black radicalism, Kehinde Andrews argues, is the most misunderstood ideology of the 20th century. And he’s right … He takes the reader on a rapid-fire tour of black intellectual traditions, dismissing them on the basis of their flaws with apparent ease. It’s a compelling polemic … You might not agree with Andrews, but we need him. * Observer *Lucid, fluent and compelling. Andrews takes the reader on a rapid-fire tour of black intellectual thought. * Observer *A timely and important book capturing an important political moment in north Atlantic culture. * Robert Beckford, BAFTA winning documentary filmmaker, and Professor of Theology, Canterbury Christ Church University *No more timid, liberal bullsh*t or empty jingoism. Kehinde Andrews is a brilliant, black British intellectual who searingly and expertly reveals the meaning of real change, for those willing to face it. In a time of flux, doubt and uncertainty, Kehinde provides a clear and lucid voice. Back to Black is an important book for anyone interested in real change and what that is likely to cost. * Russell Brand *Table of ContentsPrologue: Reclaiming Radicalism 1. Narrow Nationalism 2. Pan-Africanism 3. Black is a Country 4. Cultural Nationalism 5. Blackness 6. Black Marxism 7. Liberal Radicalism 8. Black Survival Epilogue: It’s Already Too Late

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Book SynopsisExtinction Rebellion are inspiring a whole generation to take action on climate breakdown. Now you can become part of the movement - and together, we can make history.It''s time. This is our last chance to do anything about the global climate and ecological emergency. Our last chance to save the world as we know it. Now or never, we need to be radical. We need to rise up. And we need to rebel.Extinction Rebellion is a global activist movement of ordinary people, demanding action from Governments. This is a book of truth and action. It has facts to arm you, stories to empower you, pages to fill in and pages to rip out, alongside instructions on how to rebel - from organising a roadblock to facing arrest. By the time you finish this book you will have become an Extinction Rebellion activist. Act now before it''s too late.Trade ReviewExtinction Rebellion is leading a new youthful politics that will change Britain * Guardian *The authors of This Is Not a Drill rightly identify climate change as an emergency... it is aimed at a curious public and those who may be thinking about joining in... as former archbishop of Canterbury Rowan William says at the end "it might just work". * New Scientist *Extinction Rebellion protests have WORKED! * Express *In a remarkably short space of time, Extinction Rebellion have fundamentally altered the public discourse on climate change. * Tank Magazine *

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Book SynopsisBeing autistic, you might come across more challenges than others around you, such as dealing with ableism, discrimination in employment or difficulties in your relationships. Learning to successfully self-advocate will help you to build confidence, strengthen your relationships and ensure your needs are met.Written by two autistic activists, this book will give you the tools and strategies to advocate for yourself in any situation. It covers specific scenarios including work, school, and family and relationships, as well as looking at advocacy for the wider community, whether that's through social media, presentations or writing. Additionally, the book provides advice on building independence, developing your skills, standing up for others and resolving conflict.The authors also explore the overall impact of self-advocacy in all areas of your life, building a sense of confidence, resilience and control. Drawing on the authors' extensive experience, this book will help you to successfully prioritise your needs and rights, challenge what is unfair or unjust and make your voice heard.Trade ReviewThe ability and opportunity to self-advocate for themselves has been a basic right that has often been denied to many autistic and neurodivergent people. Although these sentiments have begun to shift, there is still relatively little research or information that provides autistic or neurodivergent people or family members with specific guidance for how they can take steps to self-advocate in different contexts. The Autism and Neurodiversity Self Advocacy Handbook goes a long way to fulfilling this gap. The use of practical cases and examples and clear points would be very useful to both autistic and neurodivergent people as well as the professionals and family who work with them. In addition, this book describes self-advocacy in areas of life that have not often been discussed. Particular highlights include chapters on advocacy in old age, social media and relationships. This book makes a significant contribution to current knowledge and is a must have for autistic and neurodivergent teens and adults, and for anyone who supports them. -- Amanda Webster, Ph.D. Associate Professor, University of Wollongong and author of Life on the Autism Spectrum.Barb Cook and Yenn Purkis are respected advocates who write in an accessible way. This book could be useful for people wishing to become an advocate. We thought the book was most illuminating when the authors share their insights on foundational issues in self-advocacy such as self-awareness, self- determination and awareness of rights. The book has a broad scope and the authors helpfully consider a range of environments such as schools, workplaces or relationships. -- Ainslie Robinson, Working in Partnership Officer/Research Assistant (Autistic Person) and Tom Tutton, Executive Manager, Aspect Practice both at Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect)

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Book SynopsisPolitical parties with activists are in decline due to various external shocks. Societal changes, like the emergence of new technologies of communication have diminished the role and number of activists, while party elites increasingly can make do without grassroots activists. However, recent scholarship concerning different democracies has shown how activism still matters for representation. This book contributes to this literature by analyzing the unique case of the Uruguayan Frente Amplio (FA), the only mass-organic, institutionalized leftist party in Latin America. Using thick description, systematic process tracing, and survey research, this case study highlights the value of an organization-centered approach for understanding parties'' role in democracy. Within the FA, organizational rules grant activists a significant voice, which imbues activists'' participation with a strong sense of efficacy. This book is an excellent resource for scholars and students of Latin America and coTrade Review'This must-read book provides a crucial glimpse of the way one contemporary political party has maintained a vibrant base of constituents even as other parties have emaciated their grassroots infrastructure. This carefully researched, utterly innovative book helps us understand how political parties can help rebuild democracy in the twenty-first century.' Hahrie Han, Johns Hopkins University'This book reveals the organizational traits and forms of activism that have made Uruguay's Frente Amplio one of the most resilient leftist parties in Latin America. By explaining how party activism survives, it challenges conventional wisdom about the decline of mass party organizations and their participatory grassroots structures.' Kenneth M. Roberts, Cornell University'The theoretical implications of this study are far-reaching. The authors identify the selective and collective incentives that bring activists to invest their effort on party activities. They test their theory using the largest survey of activists implemented in Latin America, text analysis of party-meeting documents, and process-tracing of party administration.' Maria Victoria Murillo, Columbia University'Using rich, new evidence about one of Latin America's most successful left parties and a sophisticated, multi-method approach, the authors explain why Uruguay's Frente Amplio has been able to avoid oligarchization, challenging conventional wisdom, and remind us of the ways in which party activism invigorates democracy and improves policy formation.' Jennifer Pribble, University of Richmond'… a superb book and a must-read for scholars interested in parties and democracy … The effect is an impressive, persuasive piece of scholarship. Party and democracy scholars would do well to read it.' Brandon Van Dyck, Perspectives on Politics'Verónica Pérez, Rafael Piñeiro, and Fernando Rosenblatt have written a stellar book. It is empirically rich, theoretically interesting, and methodologically exemplary. Regarding method, the authors expertly apply cutting edge qualitative tools - thick description, systematic process tracing, a large online survey - to support their central descriptive and causal claims. The effect is an impressive, persuasive piece of scholarship. Party and democracy scholars would do well to read it.' Brandon Van Dyck, Perspectives on Politics'This book is an exemplary study of institutional stability and continuity. The authors tell a compelling story about why and how the FA has endured as a leftist, mass-organic party despite exogenous changes and endogenous challenges.' Jennifer Cyr, Latin American Politics and SocietyTable of Contents1. Introduction; 2. Context matters: the political and socioeconomic setting; 3. Voluntary activism in the FA; 4. Origins and reproduction of the mass organic structure; 5. Party structure, efficacy and activism; 6. The limits to strategic adaptation; 7. The FA in comparative perspective; 8. Theoretical conclusions and political implications; Appendiices; Bibliography; Index.

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Book SynopsisWalls Come Tumbling Down charts the pivotal period between 1976 and 1992 that saw politics and pop music come together for the first time in Britain's musical history; musicians and their fans suddenly became instigators of social change, and 'the political persuasion of musicians was as important as the songs they sang'. Through the voices of campaigners, musicians, artists and politicians, Daniel Rachel follows the rise and fall of three key movements of the time: Rock Against Racism, 2 Tone, and Red Wedge, revealing how they all shaped, and were shaped by, the music of a generation.Composed of interviews with over a hundred and fifty of the key players at the time, Walls Come Tumbling Down is a fascinating, polyphonic and authoritative account of those crucial sixteen years in Britain's history.Trade ReviewA triumphant oral history of Rock Against Racism, 2 Tone and Red Wedge . . . a tale of resistance: first, against a surge of racism and bigotry that an inspired group of activists and musicians played a key role in rolling back; and then against a government, as the same spirit of defiance quickly resurfaced in opposition to the social revolutions of Thatcherism . . . a vivid portrait * Guardian *Charts punk, 2 Tone and then Red Wedge's subsequent battle for a multicultural Britain in a brilliant account of the period * Q Magazine *By the Eighties rock had grown a conscience, and Walls Come Tumbling Down, charts how, in the late Seventies and Eighties, musicians became engaged in struggled surrounding race, gender, sexuality and class * Choice *This incredible oral history tells the movement's story plus the rise of 2 Tone and Red Wedge, through a phenomenal range of voices - Billy Bragg, Jerry Dammers, Rhoda Dakar, Pauline Black et all all provide great insight * Mojo *It's a testament both to the topic and to Daniel Rachel's organisation of the material that even at 640 pages Walls Come Tumbling Down feels like the opening volume of a much longer history. This majestic work at once confirms and opens up a familiar but often forgotten series of moments in the relationship between music and politics in the UK . . . as always, the delight is in the details, and, finally, the glory of something so amateurish yet passion-driven coming together to change hearts and minds * Wire *Table of ContentsSection - i: List of Illustrations Introduction - ii: Poison In The Machine Section - iii: Biographical Notes Unit - BOOK ONE:: ROCK AGAINST RACISM Chapter - 1: WHO SHOT THE SHERIFF? Section - •: MAKE WAY FOR THE HOMO SUPERIOR: Eric Clapton. Black Britain. David Bowie Section - •: WHATCHA GONNA DO ABOUT IT?: Princess Alice. Sex Pistols. Punk Section - •: BEAT THE WHITES WITH THE RED WEDGE: Socialist Workers Party. Temporary Hoarding. Roundhouse Section - •: BEAT THE WHITES WITH THE RED WEDGE: Socialist Workers Party. Temporary Hoarding. Roundhouse Section - •: NAZIS ARE NO FUN: Royal College of Art. Hackney Town Hall. Sham 69 Chapter - 2: INGLAN IS A BITCH Section - •: PUNKY REGGAE PARTY: Aswad. Steel Pulse. Clash. Bob Marley Section - •: WAR AMONGST THE REBELS: Linton Kwesi Johnson. Dennis Bovell. Rastafari Section - •: NOTHING TO BE GUILTY OF: Rock Against Sexism. Slits. Mo-dettes. Poly Styrene. Poison Girls. Au Pairs Section - •: DEDICATED FOLLOWER OF FASCISM: National Front. Lewisham Section - •: ONE DOWN, A MILLION TO GO: Anti-Nazi League Chapter - 3: OH BONDAGE! UP YOURS! Section - •: THIS AIN’T NO FUCKING WOODSTOCK: Carnival Against the Nazis Section - •: POWER IN THE DARKNESS: Tom Robinson Band. Stiff Little Fingers Section - •: CARRYING PICTURES OF CHAIRMAN MAO: Northern Carnival Section - •: KNOCK HARD. LIFE IS DEAF: Carnival 2. Militant Entertainment tour Section - •: REGGAE FI PEACH: Southall Kids Are Innocent Benefit Section - •: RENOUNCE ALL SIN AND VICE: Leeds. Birmingham Section - •: RINSE OUT THE BLUE SCUM: RAR’s Greatest Hits. Northern Carnival Against Racism. Legacy Unit - BOOK TWO: 2 TONE Section - •: BLACK SKIN BLUE EYED BOYS: Bluebeat. Skinhead. Coventry Section - •: THE KINGSTON AFFAIR: Specials out on parole. Gangsters vs the Selecter Section - •: NOBODY IS SPECIAL: First 2 Tone tour. Madness Section - •: STAND DOWN MARGARET: The Beat. UB40 Section - •: CALLING RUDE GIRLS: Bodysnatchers Section - •: DOESN'T MAKE IT ALRIGHT: Specials Section - •: CELEBRATE THE BULLET: Politics. Class. Seaside tour Section - •: ALL WI DOIN IS DEFENDIN: Linton Kwesi Johnson. 1981 riots. 2 Tone legacy Unit - BOOK THREE: RED WEDGE Chapter - 1: SHOUT TO THE TOP Section - •: LIFE IN THE EUROPEAN THEATRE: Thatcherism. CND. Paul Weller Section - •: PERVERTS SUPPORT THE PITS!: Billy Bragg. Miner's Strike Section - •: THE MILKMAN OF HUMAN KINDNESS: Live Aid. GLC. Jobs For Youth. Solid Bond Section - •: DON’T GET MAD. GET ORGANIZED: Red Wedge Chapter - 2: NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL SOCIALISM! Section - •: IT'S THE PARTY I LOVE: Launch. First tour Section - •: NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL SOCIALISM, VOLUME 3: Day Events Section - •: IT'S JUST A RUMOUR THAT WAS SPREAD AROUND TOWN: Militant Tendency. Newcastle Section - •: AIN'T NO STOPPIN' US NOW: Women's tour. Well Red. Gay Rights. Black Sections. Section - •: THE OSCAR WILDE SCHOOL OF SOCIALISM: Italy. Redskins. Move On Up tour. 1987 election Section - •: WAITING FOR THE GREAT LEAP FORWARD: Labour listens. 1987-90. Legacy Chapter - 3: FREE NELSON MANDELA Section - •: HATS OFF TO JERRY DAMMERS!: Artists Against Apartheid. 1992. Political pop Section - iv: Timeline Section - v: References Section - vi: Publishing Credits Index - vii: Index

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Book SynopsisExam board: International BaccalaureateLevel: IB DiplomaSubject: HistoryFirst teaching: September 2015First exams: Summer 2017Reinforce knowledge and develop exam skills with revision of key historical content, exam-focussed activities and guidance from experts as part of the Access to History Series. · Take control of revision with helpful revision tools and techniques, and content broken into easy-to-revise chunks.· Revise key historical content and practise exam technique in context with related exam-focussed activities. · Build exam skills with Exam Focus at the end of each chapter, containing exam questions with sample answers and examiner commentary, to show you what is required in the exam.

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Book SynopsisWhat can culture, and its manifestations in artistic and creative forms, ‘do’? Creativity and resistance in a hostile world draws on original collaborative research that brings together a range of stories and perspectives on the role of creativity and resistance in a hostile world. In times of racial nationalism across the world, this volume seeks to understand how creative acts have agitated for social change. The book suggests that creative actions themselves, and acting together creatively, can at the same time offer vital sources of hope.Drawing on a series of case studies, this volume focuses on the past and emergent grassroots arts work that has responded to racisms, the legacies of colonialism or the depredations of capitalist employment across several contexts and locations, including England, Northern Ireland and India. The book makes a timely intervention, foregrounding the value of creativity for those who are commonly marginalised from centres of power, including from the mainstream cultural industries. The authors also critically reflect on the possibilities and limitations of collaborative research within and beyond the academy.Table of ContentsForeword: A history of struggle for now - Benjamin Zephaniah Foreword: On radical transformation – Bidisha Introduction: Creativity and resistance in a hostile world – Sarita Malik, Churnjeet Mahn, Michael Pierse and Ben Rogaly1 Radical openness in a hostile world – Churnjeet Mahn, Sarita Malik, Michael Pierse and Ben Rogaly 2 ‘Lived Theory’: the complexities of radical openness in collaborative research - Daisy Hasan-Bounds, Sarita Malik and Jasber Singh3 Creative anti-racisms: screen and digital labour as resistancePhotini Vrikki, Sarita Malik and Aditi Jaganathan 4 Workers: creative resistance to racial capitalism within and beyond the workplace - Agnieszka Coutinho, Jay Gearing and Ben Rogaly5 Creatively connecting civil rights: co-creation, theatre and collaboration for social transformation in Belfast – Michael Pierse, Martin Lynch and Fionntán Hargey6 Re-curating a literary utopia: creative resistance in Preet Nagar - Churnjeet Mahn, Anne Murphy, Raghavendra Rao KV, Poonam Singh, Ratika Singh and Samia Singh Conclusion - Michael Pierse, Churnjeet Mahn, Sarita Malik and Ben RogalyIndex

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Book SynopsisAn extraordinarily brave and moving memoir from one of the world's most famous whistle-blowers, activists and trans women.In 2013, Chelsea Manning was sentenced to thirty-five years in military prison for the largest leak of classified documents in history. The next day, Chelsea declared her gender identity as a woman and began to transition.In this radically candid memoir, Chelsea recounts how her challenging youth led her to join the US Army. She writes of the fierce pride she took in her work, the risks of the military's queer underground and the wider culture of silence and unaccountability. She describes fifty-nine days locked in an iron cage after her fateful decision and the community of solidarity she later discovered in prison. Above all, we see the phenomenal courage and resilience it took to survive and become a global advocate for transparency.'A terrific read, full of unexpected turns and details that counter many of the assumptions made about Manning' GUARDIAN 'Brilliantly told' THE TIMES'Searing...uplifting...redemptive' NEW YORK TIMES'A full and expansive account of Manning's life, one which is often harrowing but funny and poignant too' DAZEDTrade ReviewGripping ... It takes extraordinary qualities to do some of the things she recounts in this book ... Manning has become a new kind of American heroine * Observer *Electrifying ... an insider confessional turned inside out for the 21st century ... Manning reckons with this complex relationship of sex and gender to political radicalism ... absorbing ... sublime * Washington Post *One of the bravest persons alive -- Yanis VaroufakisA terrific read, full of unexpected turns and details that counter many of the assumptions made about Manning at the time ... Opens like a Jason Bourne novel * Guardian *Chelsea Manning is the biggest hero that ever lived -- Vivienne WestwoodA heroine to millions -- Alan MooreA searing personal element ... Although troubling to read, it manages to be uplifting as well * The New York Times *Harrowing ... affecting * New Statesman *A candidly told story from activist Chelsea Manning, which turns the tell-all confessional upside down. ... Chelsea moves through her life story with poignant, personal detail ... It's shocking to read what she's witnessed and triumphed over. * The Face *Forceful ... To those who see Manning as a hero, [her memoir] will only intensify that feeling, given all the hardships she has overcome. Those who see villainy may perhaps find their views tempered by sympathy * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisThis book addresses the policing and social control of eco–justice movements during the COVID–19 pandemic, as well as activist practices of resistance during the same period. It is based on extensive ethnographic fieldwork in Trento, Italy, focusing on two eco–justice groups opposing a high–speed railway and the containment of wild bears. Rooted in critical, green, cultural and sensory approaches within criminology, the book discusses the intensification of policing strategies against eco–justice protesters during the pandemic and their increased exclusion from urban centres. Highlighting activists’ radical and transformative practices of resistance, the book identifies directions for future critical and green criminological research in the area.Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. Flexing the Muscles of Power: Policing Urban Eco-Justice Activism During the Pandemic 2. Power, Consumption, Disorder and Protest in Inner-City Centres 3. Atmospheres of Eco-Justice Resistance during the Pandemic Conclusion

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Book Synopsis'An indispensable manual for budding activists by one of the country's most effective campaigners.'Cathy Newman, Journalist and Presenter'Tired of complaining but don't know what to do? This beautifully written book will not only inspire you but give you a step-by-step guide to creating positive change.'Magid Magid, Politician and Activist'This is your mayday book. If you want to start your own resistance, buy Do Something.'Deborah Frances-White, Host of The Guilty Feminist podcastDo you find yourself staring helplessly at your news feed? Or all too often asking, 'why hasn't somebody done something about that?'. If the answer is yes, then DO SOMETHING is the book you need.Whether you simply want to challenge your local shop to reduce their plastic or go big and demand a new law to be passed, this book is the place to start.Full of lessons from the real world DO SOMETHING contains practical steps and a blueprint anyone can follow - from helping you to pinpoint the fundamentals of what you want to achieve to mobilising supporters and harnessing traditional and social media. Having worked as a campaigner for over a decade Kajal Odedra knows the tricks that have typically been held by people in circles of power and believes that everyone should know how to speak up and be heard. Revolution on every scale is happening all around the world - but rather than being led by governments, policy makers or political leaders, it is individuals, communities and collectives who are calling for action. People power works! So, stop banging your head against the wall, pick up this book, and start planning your resistance.Trade ReviewKajal Odedra's energetic book is vital for anyone wondering how to map their own campaign. This seasoned change-maker breaks activism down into bite-size pieces with plenty of practical advice. By the time you finish it you'll be wondering why you waited so long to Do Something! -- Sophie Walker, Founding Leader of the Women’s Equality PartyCogs whirring, dominos falling, the digital revolution is changing how we campaign and broadening who can be involved. Do Something is a brilliant read, both inspiring and practical. -- Hilary Cottam, Author of Radical Help: How We Can Remake the Relationships Between Us and Revolutionise the Welfare StateI love the book . . . it's absolutely brilliant . . . it's a great read if you feel passionate about something . . . there's so many examples in there of people power. -- Tim Arthur, BBC Radio London

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Book Synopsis'This important, disturbing and frequently heartbreaking book should be read by every politician in Westminster.' Adrian Tempany, Observer'In a few weeks' time, it would be thirty-five years to the day since those men and women had walked 340 miles to try to save their communities and their culture, and thirty-five years since I had turned down Pete's invitation to join them. I called work and booked some time off. Then I bought a one-way train ticket to Liverpool.'In 1981, Mike Carter's dad, Pete, organised the People's March for Jobs, which saw 300 people walk from Liverpool to London to protest as the Thatcher government's policies devastated industrial Britain and sent unemployment skyrocketing. Just before the 2016 EU referendum, Mike set off to walk the same route in a quest to better understand his dad and his country.As he walked, Mike found many echoes of the early eighties: a working class overlooked and ignored by Westminster politicans; communities hollowed out but fiercely resistant; anger and despair co-existing with hope and determination for change. And he also found that he and Pete shared more in common than he might have thought.All Together Now? maps the intricate, overlapping path of one man's journey and that of an entire country. It is a book about belonging, about whether to stay or go, and about the need to write new stories for our communities and ourselves.

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Book SynopsisAcknowledging mounting socioeconomic inequality, a climate system in disarray, and a collapse of biodiversity that now threatens the very viability of life on earth for both present and future generations, Radical Environmental Resistance demystifies activists’ ecological worldviews, their tactical motivations, and their diagnostic and prognostic framings. Providing a succinct overview of key aspects of contemporary radical environmental movements, Heather Alberro offers a brief yet in-depth look into the poorly understood aims and motivations of radical environmental activists as increasingly salient actors within global environmental politics. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with activists from a range of environmental groups as well as analysis of activist websites and print materials, chapters feature a critical discussion of the ethics and salience of radical tactics and of attempts by state, media and corporate actors to criminalize and delegitimize environmental activism. Will mainstream policy and government approaches to addressing climate and biodiversity crises amount to too little, too late? At what point, if ever, do desperate times legitimize desperate actions? Exploring the role of direct action within times of severe social and ecological upheaval, Radical Environmental Resistance evokes the rich, diverse world that radical environmental activists and indigenous environmental protectors are fighting for.Table of ContentsChapter 1. The Era of ‘Global Boiling’ Chapter 2. Waves of Discontent: The Rise of Radical Greens Chapter 3. Love and rage: Diagnostic framings and Visions Chapter 4. Desperate times, desperate measures? Radical politics during times of crisis Chapter 5. The Future is Never Written: Fighting like Hell for Abundant Futures

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Book Synopsis*** 'This powerful, speaking-truth-to-power book is an essential read for everybody who wants to stop feeling clueless and helpless about the impacts of cosumerism, and start doing their part to help create a more sustainable world' - Layla Saad 'A critique on what we buy, how it's made and the systems behind it that make an unfair and broken cycle' - New York Times 'The book is a blueprint for anyone who wants to do better' - VOGUE 'SUCH integrity. Aja is no bullsh*t.' - Florence Given 'Consumed takes us through the hideously complex topic of fashion and sustainability, from its knotty colonial roots to what everyday people can do to uproot those systems, today.' - Yassmin Abdel-Magied 'An absolute must-read' - Marie Clare Aja Barber wants change. In the 'learning' first half of the book, she will expose you to the endemic injustices in our consumer industries and the uncomfortable history of the textile industry; one which brokered slavery, racism and today's wealth inequality. And how these oppressive systems have bled into the fashion industry and its lack of diversity and equality. She will also reveal how we spend our money and whose pockets it goes into and whose it doesn't (clue: the people who do the actual work) and will tell her story of how she came to learn the truth.In the second 'unlearning' half of the book, she will help you to understand the uncomfortable truth behind why you consume the way you do. She asks you to confront the sense of lack you have, the feeling that you are never quite enough and the reasons why you fill the aching void with consumption rather than compassion. And she makes you challenge this power disparity, and take back ownership of it. The less you buy into the consumer culture the more power you have.CONSUMED will teach you how to be a citizen not a consumer. 'An absolute must-read' - Red Magazine 'An absolute must-read for any person who wears clothes.' - Orsola de Castro 'A hugely compelling exploration of a culture of exploitation and how, together, we can end it.' - Gina Martin 'Barber's isn't just a voice we should listen to - it is a voice we MUST listen to.' - Clementine Ford 'If you buy one book about sustainable fashion, make it this one. Consumed is an urgent call to action to demand a fashion system that is actually fair for both people and planet, not just Big Fashion billionaires. I adore Aja and I love this brilliant book.' - Venetia La Manna

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Book SynopsisA classic Pluto book published for our 50th anniversary. The book that started a revolution in modern theatre by providing forums through which to imagine and enact social and political change.Theatre of the Oppressed started a new form of theatre which is still practised today. It has been translated into 25 languages and sold over 20,000 copies.Trade Review'An affable intellectual and an effervescent teacher, [Boal] was a theatrical Johnny Appleseed who spent his later years spreading his doctrines of the theater as a land of equal opportunity for professionals and nonprofessionals alike' -- The New York Times 'Oppression, according to Augusto Boal, is when one person is dominated by the monologue of another and has no chance to reply. Boal's life is devoted to giving those who are in this one-down position the tools with which to express themselves and discover a way out of their powerlessness' -- The Harvard Gazette '[His] achievement is so remarkable, so original and so ground-breaking that I have no hesitation in describing the book as the most important theoretical work on the theatre in modern times' -- George Wellwarth, author of Modern Drama and the Death of God 'Should be read by everyone in the world of theatre who has any pretensions at all to political commitment' -- John Arden, playwright 'Boal's terrific energy came from his faith in the creativity, spontaneity and ability of all people, however underprivileged, to change their situation' -- The GuardianTable of ContentsPreface to 2008 edition Preface to 2000 edition Preface to 1974 edition 1. Aristotle's Coercive System of Tragedy 2. Machiavelli and the Poetics of Virtu 3. Hegel and Brecht: The Character as Subject or the Character as Object? 4. Poetics of the Oppressed 5. Development of the Arena Theater of Sao Paulo Appendices Index

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Book SynopsisGovernments recognise that national security in the turbulent conditions of the early twenty-first century must centre on the creation of public confidence that normal life can continue even in the face of threats such as terrorism and proliferation, and of natural hazards such as pandemics and climate change. Based on his own experience in government, David Omand argues that while public security is vital for good government, the effects of bad government will result from failure to maintain the right relationship between justice, liberty, privacy, civic harmony and security measures. His book examines in detail how secret intelligence helps governments to deliver security, but also risks raising public concern over its methods. A set of ethical principles is proposed to guide intelligence and security work within the framework of human rights. Securing the State provides a new way of thinking about the cycle of activities that generates secret intelligence, examines the issues that arise from the way that modern intelligence uses technology to access new sources of information, and discusses how the meaning of intelligence can best be elucidated. The limits of intelligence in enabling greater security are explored, especially in guiding government in a world in which we must learn not to be surprised by surprise. Illustrated throughout by historical examples, David Omand provides new perspectives for practitioners and those teaching security and intelligence studies and for a wider readership offers an accessible introduction to pressing issues of public policy.Trade Review'An invaluable handbook for politicians, intelligence professionals, journalists and anyone else who wants to know what should and should not be done in the name of securing the state in an age of surprise, turbulence and implacably hostile terrorist networks that are more than capable of using the latest technology.' * The Economist *'Few books on national security become instant classics in their field. Sir David Omand's brilliantly insightful and authoritative Securing the State will be one of those. It is one of the most important studies on the role intelligence services play in crafting successful counterterrorism measures by governments, the book's primary, although not sole, focus.' * The Washington Times *'David Omand's superb book is a reminder of why state security is important. ... Every security practitioner should read this book, which distils so much experience gathered at the sharp end of security. Sir David Omand is undoubtedly one of the most able people to have served in British government since the Second World War.' * Times Literary Supplement *'We live today in a complex, unstable and interconnected world which requires expert navigation if it is to be understood. David Omand's career in, and commitment to, the security of the British citizen is beyond peer and here, in a highly readable form, is simply the best available guide to the current challenges to our safety and what needs to be done to mitigate them.' * Rt Hon Lord Robertson of Port Ellen KT GCMG, former Secretary of State for Defence and Secretary General of NATO *'A thoughtful, exceptionally well-informed book. Essential reading for anyone seriously interested in the role of intelligence in modern government.' * Sir John Scarlett, Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) 2004-2009 *'Anyone considering the complexities of security and intelligence work in the twenty-first century will find David Omand's masterly analysis stimulating and thought-provoking.' * Eliza Manningham-Buller, Director General of the Security Service (MI5) from 2002-7 *

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Book SynopsisManning Marable was Professor of History and Political Science at Columbia University and director of the Institute for Research in African-American Studies. He was the founding director of the Center for Contemporary Black History, established in 2002 and the Institute for Research in African-American Studies, where he served from 1993 to 2003. He died as the hardback of Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention was published. The book was a Finalist for the National Book Award 2011.Trade Review[A] groundbreaking piece of work. ...The result is not just a biography, but also a history of Muslims in America and a sweeping account of one man's transformation... It will be difficult for anyone to better this book. ... a work of art, a feast that combines genres skillfully: biography, true-crime, political commentary. It gives us Malcolm X in full gallop. -- Wil Haygood * Washington Post *[L]ucid, hugely researched and surely definitive...an extraordinary story. * Sunday Times *[A]n incredibly detailed account of Malcolm's life (and an investigation of his murder) and it is, of course, completely riveting....it is inevitably much more than a biography of one man... Marable is intensely and intimately sympathetic. -- Geoff Dyer * New Yorker *In the pantheon of black American protest figures only Martin Luther King occupies a more exalted position, but it is Malcolm X whose legend has the greater street credibility and aura of cool...Now, almost a half century [after his assassination], Malcolm has finally received the biography that his unique role in black culture demands...A meticulous, comprehensive, and fair-minded portrait. -- Andrew Anthony * Observer *Professor Manning Marable's Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention is encyclopaedic in its approach. The endnotes and bibliography indicate the staggering breadth and depth of scholarship underpinning this volume....Undoubtedly it will stand as a last lecture on the subject by one of America's most distinguished historians. -- Wilbert Rideau * Financial Times *[A] wealth of detail, some of it new, some of it old stories confirmed...At the end of it all, Malcolm X remains Malcolm X, for good or ill, one of the most fascinating historical figures of the 20th Century...a labour of love...a courageous endeavour. -- Hugh Muir * Guardian *Malcolm's short life (he was slain at 39) makes a fascinating story...Mr Marable has scoured contemporary press clippings in America, Europe and Africa...and benefitted...from the recent release to the public of hundreds of Malcolm's letters, photographs and texts of speeches. * The Economist *Marable gives us all the raw material for a harshly critical appraisal... Marable's is very far from the first biography of Malcolm, but it is undoubtedly the most penetrating and thoroughly researched. It clearly surpasses the best previous effort, Bruce Perry's 1991 study -- Stephen Howe * The Independent *By the end of the 1960s, Malcolm's disciples had elevated him to what Manning Marable, in this weighty biography, calls 'secular sainthood'; in death, his image was quickly refashioned to 'embody the very ideal of blackness for an entire generation'... But Marable... resists the temptation of hagiography and fills in the gaps left by previous books. Where the autobiography, carefully organised by the NOI-sceptic Haley, presents an idealised vision of a man's growth as a thinker, Marable gives us Malcolm in all his self-contradiction and self-doubt... By refusing to pin him down, he offers glimpses of the human being behind the legend. -- Yo Zushi * New Statesman *Striking... Marable is intensely sympathetic but always conscious of the contradictions of his subject...the fulfilment of a life's work -- Geoff Dyer, Books of the Year * Prospect *From petty criminal to drug user to prisoner to minister to separatist to humanist to martyr. Marable, who worked for more than a decade on the book and died earlier this year, offers a more complete and unvarnished portrait of Malcolm X than the one found in his autobiography. The story remains inspiring -- 10 Best Books of 2011 * New York Times *An exploration of the legendary life and provocative views of one of the most significant African-Americans in U.S. history, a work that separates fact from fiction and blends the heroic and tragic * Pulitzer Prize in History 2012 award citation *

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Book SynopsisArtists in America have long battled against injustices, believing that art can in fact "do more." The War of Art tells this history of artist-led activism and the global political and aesthetic debates of the 1960s to the present. In contrast to the financialized art market and celebrity artists, the book explores the power of collective effort — from protesting to philanthropy, and from wheat pasting to planting a field of wheat. Lauren O’Neill-Butler charts the post-war development of artists’ protest and connects these struggles to a long tradition of feminism and civil rights activism. The book offers portraits of the key individuals and groups of artists who have campaigned for solidarity, housing, LGBTQ+, HIV/AIDS awareness, and against Indigenous injustice and the exclusion of women in the art world. This includes: the Black Emergency Cultural Coalition (BECC), Women Artists in Revolution (WAR), David Wojnarowicz’s work with ACT UP, Top Value Television (TVTV), Agnes Denes, Edgar Heap of Birds, Dyke Action Machine! (DAM!), fierce pussy, Project Row Houses, and Nan Goldin’s Prescription Addiction Intervention Now (PAIN). Based upon in-depth oral histories with the key figures in these movements, and illustrated throughout, The War of Art is an essential corrective to the idea that art history excludes politics.

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Book Synopsis''An inspirational manifesto for change'' Caroline Lucas, former leader of The Green Party ''A remarkable and important book'' Steve Backshall, Naturalist, Broadcaster, and Author''Astute, erudite and crystalline, Bella writes with visionary clarity and passion [...] It''s a wonderful book'' Dara McAnulty, award-winning author of Diary of a Young Naturalist____________________________Across the planet, the futures of young people hang in the balance as they face the harsh realities of the environmental crisis. Isn''t it time we made their voices heard?The Children of the Anthropocene, by conservationist and activist Bella Lack, chronicles the lives of the diverse young people on the frontlines of the environmental crisis around the world, amplifying the voices of those living at the heart of the crisis.Advocating for the protection of both people and the planet, Bella restores the beating heart to global environmental issues, from air pollution to deforestation and overconsumption, by telling the stories of those most directly affected. Transporting us from the humming bounty of Ecuador''s Choco Rainforest and the graceful arcs of the Himalayan Mountains, to the windswept plains and vibrant vistas of life in Altiplano, Bella speaks to young activists from around the world including Dara McAnulty, Afroz Shah and Artemisa Xakriabá, and brings the crisis vividly to life.It''s time we passed the mic and listened to different perspectives. Bella''s manifestos for change will inspire and mobilize you to rediscover the wonders and wilds of nature and, ultimately, change the way you think about our planet in crisis. This is your chance to hear the urgent stories of an endangered species too often overlooked: the children of the Anthropocene. ____________________________''Extraordinarily moving, wild and engaging - the book of the moment'' Mary Robinson, Former President of Ireland and author of Climate Justice''A visionary statement for the future [...] Pragmatic, positive & beautifully written'' Ben Macdonald, Award-Winning Conservation Writer, Wildlife TV Producer and NaturalistTrade Review'Bella is one of the most inspiring people I've ever met. She has an eloquence and lucidity that is timeless, partnered with a powerful combination of positivity and belief. Bella and her fellow young voices are the best chance our planet has. I've seen Bella bring a theatre full of academics and conservationists to tears, and then to their feet. This young woman has an oratory gift that any storyteller would kill for, and a passion and energy that is infectious and dazzling. Bella believes she can change the world, and I believe her. The Children of the Anthropocene is a remarkable and important book' -- Steve Backshall, naturalist, broadcaster, and author'From the Amazon rainforests to the beaches of Mumbai, the city streets of the US and the farms of Europe, Bella Lack hears from young people at the sharp end of the environmental crisis who are challenging the economic and political system that has led us to where we are now, with a deeply damaged world and facing a climate and ecological catastrophe. This book is so much more than a record of what's gone wrong, it's an inspirational manifesto for change. As a passionate campaigner herself, Bella is the perfect guide' -- Caroline Lucas, former leader of The Green Party'A visionary statement for the future, from a brilliant young person who hopes the planet will be there to enjoy it. Pragmatic, positive & beautifully written' -- Ben Macdonald, award-winning conservation writer, wildlife TV producer and naturalist'Astute, erudite and crystalline, Bella writes with visionary clarity and passion. It was a pleasure to be interviewed by Bella for The Children of the Anthropocene, she questions everything with intelligence, grace and humour. It's a wonderful book' -- Dara McAnulty, award-winning author of Diary of a Young Naturalist'An urgent, thought-provoking, and beautifully written book from a brilliant young conservationist. Bella vividly brings the wonders of nature to life on the page, showcasing the importance of diverse human stories in the collective fight to protect our planet in the face of the environmental crisis. We must stop and listen to these inspiring young people from around the globe. Extraordinarily moving, wild and engaging - the book of the moment' -- Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland and author of Climate Justice'A passionate call for change. Hope-filled and fascinating, this book has inspired me to do more' -- Dave Goulson, author of the Sunday Times bestselling The Garden Jungle and A Sting in the Tale'A remarkably lucid and insightful account of the problem with our relationship with the natural world, and how we can save it and ourselves' -- Liz Bonnin, natural history and environmental broadcaster'Profound wisdom from a brilliant young mind - Bella's view of our troubled planet is enthralling and shocking, inspiring, and enchanting. She articulates the exhilarating and fresh perspectives of a rising generation determined to turn things round. Clear-headed about the evidence and passionate about the answers, this book offers something remarkable: real hope' -- David Shukman, environmental journalist and writer'Bella Lack has woven a beautiful offering to the world in her book The Children of the Anthropocene. A tapestry of stories and facts, encouragement and holding to account; she brings to life both the possibility of change and the longing of the generation made to face the consequences of our diseased way of living' -- Dr. Gail Bradbrook, Extinction Rebellion Co-Founder'Thought-provoking without being preachy this is a really serious and helpful book cleverly using the personal stories of people directly affected by some part of climate change. All from a young person who is positive about finding a better way for us all to live in the future' -- David Lindo, The Urban Birder'Not only a book of pain and defiance, resilience and love as Bella Lack writes, it is by and for courageous, compassionate and dedicated young people on the frontlines of the climate emergency. Their too often ignored stories offer hope, power and inspiration that we will realise a fairer, greener and healthier world for all' -- Jennifer Morgan, Executive Director, Greenpeace International'Vibrant with stories, leaping with intelligence, a vivid and beautifully crafted book' -- Jay Griffiths, author of 'Why Rebel'

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Book SynopsisAn “engrossing and important book' (Wall Street Journal) that brings to life the fateful friendship between Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali In 1962, boxing writers and fans considered Cassius Clay an obnoxious self-promoter, and few believed that he would become the heavyweight champion of the world. But Malcolm X, the most famous minister in the Nation of Islam, saw the potential in Clay, not just for boxing greatness, but as a means of spreading the Nation’s message. The two became fast friends, keeping their interactions secret from the press for fear of jeopardizing Clay’s career. Clay began living a double life—a patriotic “good negro” in public, and a radical reformer behind the scenes. Soon, however, their friendship would sour, with disastrous and far-reaching consequences. Based on previously untapped sources, from Malcolm’s personal papers to FBI records, Blood Brothers is the first book to offer an in-depth portrait of this complex bond. An extraordinary narrative of love and deep affection, as well as deceit, betrayal, and violence, this story is a window into the public and private lives of two of our greatest national icons, and the tumultuous period in American history that they helped to shape.

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Book SynopsisA deep, cutting edge analysis of the politics and state mechanisms that perpetuate human rights abuses in South Asia.Trade Review'An important message to states to ensure accountability and respect human rights' -- Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia Director, Human Rights Watch'A powerful and frightening document that traces how political independence mutated into a celebration of the growing power of the military' -- Jeremy Seabrook, writer and researcher; author of 'The Refuge and the Fortress: Britain and the Flight from Tyranny'.'Not only demands a deeper study of state terror in both South Asia and the world at large, but it also demands justice for all the victims thereof—past, present, and, unfortunately, future' -- Marx & Philosophy Review of BooksTable of ContentsAcknowledgements 1. Introduction: After the Colony 2. Bangladesh: Men in Black 3. India: Brutal Encounters 4. Nepal: The Royal Army 5. Pakistan: Agents of the State 6. Sri Lanka: White Vans 7. State Terror in Post-Colonial South Asia 8. Specialists on Violence 9. International System of State Terror 10. A Note from the Torture Chamber Notes Index

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Book SynopsisPaul Joseph''s memoir starts with his childhood in the slums of Johannesburg in the 1930s. His political awakening and activism began as a 15-year-old Indian in a racially segregated school. It continued with his commitment to the fight against an oppressive regime. He participated in virtually all the political campaigns including the passive resistance of the 1940s. In 1956 he was one of the 156 people accused of high treason by the Apartheid government alongside Nelson Mandela. He was among the first recruits into the armed wing of the ANC UmKhonto We Sizwe. With an eye for detail and extensive knowledge of South Africans across the racial and class divides, he documents one of the most significant struggles for liberation in the 20th century.Trade ReviewUncle Paul and Aunt Adelaide Joseph are second parents to me and in that way their story is inseparable from mine. … – Zenani Mandela // Paul Joseph’s courageous role in South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle is inspirational. His life in that struggle for justice is both moving and uplifting. An incredible man! – Baroness Helena Kennedy, QC // Paul Joseph’s story is of a life of struggle for human liberation and a courageous struggle for life under apartheid. Electrifying! – Professor Gus John

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Book SynopsisOur politics dictate the ads we create and distance us from our audience. The advertising industry has lost interest in selling. According to the IPA, we face a crisis of effectiveness. And our politics are to blame. We are now so culturally left-leaning, we''re no longer willing to stoke capitalism''s engine of growth. Instead, we have a new raison d''etre: we''re saving the world. But who are the activists and careerists who are pushing this progressive agenda? And what of the angry mainstream who are alienated by the ideas we''re imposing upon them? Most urgently, as our clients emerge from the pandemic recession, will advertising rediscover its commercial purpose and help them revive the UK economy? Or will our agencies and institutions double down on social purpose and the monoculture that''s suffocating a once brilliantly creative industry and forcing it to the margins of British business and cultural life?

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Book SynopsisDrawing on first-hand accounts from several players and original research, respected rugby writer Chris Schoeman marks the 50th anniversary of this controversial tour remembered as much for politics as for rugby.

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Book SynopsisPolitical hackers, like the infamous Anonymous collective, have demonstrated their willingness to use political violence to further their agendas. However, many of their causes – targeting terrorist groups, fighting for LGBTQ+ rights, and protecting people’s freedom of expression, autonomy and privacy – are intuitively good things to fight for. This book will create a new framework that argues that when the state fails to protect people, hackers can intervene and evaluates the hacking based on the political or social circumstances. It highlights the space for hackers to operate as legitimate actors; guides hacker activity by detailing what actions are justified toward what end; outlines mechanisms to aid hackers in reaching ethically justified decisions; and directs the political community on how to react to these political hackers. Applying this framework to the most pivotal hacking operations within the last two decades, including the Arab Spring, police brutality in the USA and the Nigerian and Ugandan governments’ announcements of homophobic legislation, it offers a unique contribution to conceptualising hacking as a contemporary political activity.Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. Hacks, Hackers and Political Hacking 2. An Ethical Framework for Hacking Operations 3. Political Autonomy, the Arab Spring and Anonymous 4. Leaks: From Whistleblowing to Doxxing 5. Correcting the Failure of the State 6. Looking Back, Moving Forward Conclusion

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Book SynopsisA collection of personal stories, history, poetry, and artA Land With a People is a book of stories, photographs and poetry which elevates rarely heard Palestinian and Jewish voices and visions. Eloquently framed with a foreword by the dynamic Palestinian legal scholar and activist, Noura Erakat, this book began as a storytelling project of Jewish Voice for Peace-New York City and subsequently transformed into a theater project performed throughout the New York City area. Stories touch hearts, open minds, and transform our understanding of the ?other??as well as our comprehension of own roles and responsibilities? and A Land With a People emerges from this reckoning. It brings us the narratives of secular, Muslim, Christian, and queer Palestinians who endure the particular brand of settler colonialism known as Zionism. It relays the transformational journeys of Ashkenazi, Mizrahi, queer, and Palestinian Jews who have come to reject the received Zionist narrative. Unflinching in their confrontation of the power dynamics that underlie their transformation process, these writers find the courage to face what has happened to historic Palestine, and to their own families as a result. Contextualized by a detailed historical introduction and timeline charting 150 years of Palestinian and Jewish resistance to Zionism, this collection will stir emotions, provoke fresh thinking, and point to a more hopeful, loving future?one in which Palestine/Israel is seen for what it is in its entirety, as well as for what it can be.

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Book SynopsisAn arrresting action plan for political resistance arguing that nothing can be quite so radical as doing... nothing.

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Book SynopsisWe are seeing the rise of a populist moment around the world on both the left and the right. Movements like Bernie Sander, Jeremy Corbyn, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have emerged in the midst of the neoliberal crisis. In this book, leading political thinker Chantal Mouffe proposes a left-populist strategy that could bring together the manifold struggles against subordination, oppression and discrimination. In redrawing political frontiers, this "populist moment" points to a "return of the political" after years of postpolitics. This return may open the way for authoritarian solutions-through regimes that weaken liberal-democratic institutions-but it could also lead to a reaffirmation and extension of democratic values.Trade ReviewInfluencing left parties as they enter government, from Greece to Portugal to Mexico. It is a beach-sized introduction to a major left thinker of the twenty-first century. -- Paul Mason * Guardian *Refreshingly bereft of the sputtering outrage and bafflement that characterizes the growing genre of liberal self-help books, Mouffe channels populism's agonistic clarity. * n+1 *An admirable attempt to get us thinking again about what a worthwhile politics might look like, one based on notions of equality, ecology, sovereignty, solidarity and social justice. * New Statesman *Argues in favor of leftist populism as a means to combat both elitist, neoliberal technocracy and reactionary, xenophobic versions of populism. * Publishers Weekly *

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