by Amy Goodman
First published 2008
Amy Goodman examines how ordinary Americans resist government overreach during the Bush era. She documents African-American New Orleans residents fighting City Hall to reclaim flood-damaged homes. Four Connecticut librarians refuse to spy on library patrons under the USA PATRIOT Act and successfully challenge the law. High school students battle censorship when administrators block their Iraq War play based on soldier letters. A U.S. Army officer becomes the first to publicly refuse Iraq deployment orders, declaring the war illegal and immoral. Goodman and co-author David Goodman traveled nationwide to profile these acts of resistance. They argue that grassroots activism has shifted political power away from politicians toward everyday citizens. The book traces how individual courage sparks broader movements, showing how one person's stand can inspire many others. Beyond documenting resistance, the authors provide practical guidance for readers who want to take action themselves. They demonstrate that significant political change emerges from communities where individuals take risks for their beliefs.
Genres: politics, non-fiction, social-justice, activism, american-history
Vibes: emotional, thought-provoking
Tropes: civil-disobedience, individual-courage, social-justice
Setting: Connecticut, New Orleans, United States
Period: Bush Era, Iraq War
272 pages · Hardcover · Hyperion