by Amy Goodman
First published 2016
Amy Goodman reflects on two decades of her groundbreaking news program Democracy Now! Born as a radio show in 1996, the program expanded to television after September 11, 2001, becoming America's sole public media outlet broadcasting across satellite, cable, radio, and internet simultaneously. Working alongside her journalist brother David, Goodman profiles the progressive champions who drove significant yet often overlooked transformations. She spotlights whistleblowers, organizers, and protesters who challenged authority when traditional institutions failed to act. The book examines how ordinary citizens stepped forward to hold power accountable, from the streets of Ferguson and Staten Island to Wall Street demonstrations. Goodman argues these movements possess strong leadership rather than operating leaderlessly, highlighting charismatic figures who mobilized communities demanding justice. Through stories spanning Democracy Now!'s history, she demonstrates how independent journalism amplifies voices fighting for democratic change.
Genres: non-fiction, biography-memoir, journalism, current-affairs, activism, american-history
Vibes: intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: true-story, underdog
Setting: America, Ferguson, Staten Island, Wall Street
Period: 1996, 2001
384 pages · Hardcover · Simon & Schuster