Activism Books

An excellent look at the history of the revolutionary movement. Experiencing the discrimination in the military during wwII, he came home a changed person. Committed to ending injustice, he joined the movement to end lynching and segregation. An excellent book

Glasker's analysis of the black student movement at the University of Pennsylvania in the 1960s and 1970s is an important contribution to the field of black studies. However, it has importance far beyond this field, as it sheds light on the basic issues of diversity in the multi-cultural setting that has characterized American society in recent decades. He introduces and explains categories of analysis that may be unfamiliar to most readers, such as the concept of bi-culturalism. Like other ethnic groups and interest groups, black students wanted to have a setting where they could represent their own interests and cultural inclinations, but this did not mean that their all-black organizations were separatist or nationalist. Not only did presumeably liberal white organizations find all-black organizations uncomfortable, so did integrationist organizations such as the NAACP. Glasker traces all these cross currents in a sensitive and well-documented fashion. The episodes at the University of Pennsylvania, as he suggests, were replicated at many other campuses across the United States as universities began to admit black students with lower SAT scores from urban settings to help achieve more racial balance. At institutions such as Cornell, Rutgers, and many state universities, the same patterns emerged: black students seeking institutions that would preserve their different values and attiutudes, at the same time that they pursued the achievement of education and professional development that would earn them a place in the mainstream society. The essence of bi-culturalism comes through in the study: the simultaneous preservation of cultural differences and the pursuit of the middle class aspirations for economic advancement. The book should be purchased by all major libraries and by any individual who is interested in this fascinating aspect of modern American life.

While there are many books that purport to explain Los Angeles to their audiences, there are very few that succeed in balancing complex analytical work with solid, on-the-ground oral history from the region during this important period. Black, Brown, Yellow, and Left is one such book.

For those who live in Los Angeles, it is no secret that race plays an important, yet complex and often contradictory role in shaping the city. It is clear that Pulido has taken pains not only to keep this truth squarely in front of her throughout the book's well-crafted narration, but to do so without much of the hip jargon, opaque theorizing, and self-indulgent navel-gazing that typifies so much academic work in the social sciences and humanities these days. Pulido is the kind of careful and quietly brilliant scholar that seems in such short supply these days: one who has not forgotten that scholarly writing should strive, at once, for clarity and rigor.

Neither too erudite in its analysis or too simlistic in its formulations and explanations, Laura Pulido has written a book with something for virtually everyone. Whether it be urban or labor history, ethnic or american studies, leftist politics or gender studies, Black, Brown, Yellow, and Left is that rare book that has the potential to become a classic in several fields.

If you're looking for a book that will either simply valorize or condemn the 1960s radical left, then you will be better off seeking out one of the many self-absorbed polemicists that emerged from that period. But if it is meticulous scholarship and balanced assessment you are looking for, then look no further. It's time to make some room on your bookshelf next to Carey McWilliams, Reyner Banham, Kevin Starr, and Mike Davis.

Burny's Journeys: Lessons and Confessions of an Aging Hipster is a very well-written story which will takes you along with Burny on his odyssey through life and his quest for truth and happiness. Like Odysseus, Burny encounters many very challenging, difficult and, at times, very dangerous situations and trials. Also like Odysseus, through the use of his sharp wits, depth of character and indominatable sense of humor, Burny emerges from every challenge victorious and much enriched as a human being for the experience. Burny's insights into himself, his friends and life in general, all of which are delightfully seasoned by Burny's wry, truthful and good-hearted sense of humor, make this a wonderful and enriching ride. Burny is a great story-teler and traveling companion. Take this opportunity NOW to travel along with Burny on his journeys!!! They are not to be missed!!!

The degrassi TV series was a milestone in Canadian TV but the books are even better.

If you are to pick up only one of these books though id have to recommend this one. Its Fun to read and gives off a feeling of real life. The characters have problems that real people have!

The Series has a cult following and its only a matter of time until the books do too! If you like the Show Youll love these books. See if you can collect them all!

Stanislao Pugliese's Carlo Roselli is an incisive and thought-provoking work on a long-neglected anti-fascist leader. Pugliese's passion for his subject shines through on every page. He is a wonderful writer, taking the reader on an incredible and ultimately heartbreaking journey into the life and times of this fascinating figure.

This is such an interesting look at the production of Che's image. I think it is a must read book and its very well done. I loved every single page of it!

The Chicago Black Renaissance was a revitalization of black expressive arts and community activism rooted in a pan-African identity which blossomed during the 1930's to the 1960's in Chicago's "Black Belt" - or, as residents preferred, "Bronzeville." It was also a tumultuous period in which longtime urban black Chicagoans were faced with assimilating thousands of rural migrants from the South.

The lens through which Knupfer examines the Renaissance is women's activism: as club members and individuals, as reformers of schools and libraries, builders of art and community centers, ministers, writers, politicians and more. They were highly successful in some areas; for example, the nation's oldest WPA arts center, South Side Community Art Center, continues to offer classes and host exhibitions, while the "Special Negro Section" begun in 1932 by the first black librarian in the Chicago Public Library system has evolved in the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History & Literature, one of the largest collections of African American historical documents in the nation. But the book also explores the failures and disappointments, which can be instructive to contemporary activists.

One of the most fascinating chapters for me was "Women's Activism in Public Housing" which explores the neglected topic of women's involvement in tenant associations and other public housing groups.

This is a groundbreaking book, but as the author asserts, there is much more research yet to be done. In aid of this she suggests dissertation topics and provides two resources in the appendices: an annotated list of more than 200 women whose names are found in local black newspapers, archives and bibliographic sources, and a list of Chicago Black Southside community organizations and their addresses, 1930-1960.

I'd recommend this engaging and highly readable book to those interested in Chicago history in general, and Women's or African American studies in particular. AfroAmericanHeritagedotcom

This is a refreshing and inspiring collection of essays about people who refuse to believe "you can't fight city hall." Subtitled "Political activists in a cynical age" it traces the stories of people who used the political system to affect public well-being. Examples include MADD (mothers against drunk driving); Dr. Kristen Zarfos, the breast cancer surgeon whose grass roots efforts stopped "Drive Through Mastectomies;" and Rosa Parks bus segregation protest. I'm famiiliar with Dr. Zarfos story, and this book tells it beautifully. Read this book yourself and give it to anyone who complains about how irrelevant politics has become!

Citizen Muckraking is a "user friendly", step-by-step "how to" instruction manual for ordinary people to take on and win out over corporate and governmental abuses and corruptions. The non-partisan, nonprofit organization called The Center for Public Integrity presents stories of people who have fought and won against many forms of corruption and illustrate the simple tools that made the hard work of these grassroots reformers effective. From utilizing the Freedom of Information Act to conducting interviews for effective investigative reporting, Essential reading for anyone seeking to redress a wrong or prevent a illegal, immoral, or dangerous action by someone or some group in a position of power and authority, Citizen Muckraking will prove an illuminating, inspiring, and practical blueprint for action.