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jilly7922's review
4.0
Overall I would rate this 4 stars out of 5. This is a brilliant book to read. At first I was skeptical and hesitant to read it, but I am very glad I did. I feel that in reading a political book, it is very black and white. Either it was excellent or horrible, and there is no in between. You are either going to agree with it or not. And when you disagree with political beliefs it is not a very pleasant experience. You get angry and frustrated and many other things. This is why I think it is better having an open and receptive mind when attempting to read this. If you go into this book with an open and receptive mind, I think you will enjoy it and be as intrigued as I did.
This book introduced a whole new way of political thought. It took on a new approach, different from the democratic or republican mindset. This book was very well organized, it is broken down to ten essays each tackling a different aspect of the political, economic, and social issues that we face today. Each essay attempts to break down the current system of why it does not work, the history behind each issue and finally proposes a new way of solving the issue. Often you hear from politicians how they promise to change the status quo. You hear promises of getting rid of unemployment, create more jobs, raise minimum wage, decrease our deficit and so forth. You hear all these promises and commitments but no one ever tells you how they are going to accomplish it, i.e. what is their plan? This book for the most part, not only committed to solving these same issues but discussed a plan how exactly it would be done and how to get from here to there. It goes deeper than that it explains why things are the way things are, the factors that led to where we are today. I was truly amazed and surprised that this book is not all entirely new set of ideas. That things like full employment by where everyone who wants to work can find work. Where the workweek is shortened to 30 hours but still retaining your 40 hour pay. With having enough money to sustain you and your family. A life where you have more benefits and at the same time, have more time off and more time to spend with your family or leisure activities. Take a moment to ponder this to sit back and imagine what life would be like? How your life would be different? Guess what! This plan was introduced to congress many years ago but sadly never made it into legislation. What if your life or the life of your children could be like this? This book will tell you how it is possible. I bet you are thinking this seems all too good to be true. I did to have that feeling several times while reading this book. With the plans that are presented in this book makes sense. And sometimes it makes too much sense in that you are left wondering why this or that hasn't occurred yet. You find yourself saying jeez this is not rocket science here. And because the ideas and plans presented in this book make sense and are understandable, it gives you that hope you need to be able to believe it, and ultimately not dismiss it as being too good to be true.
During some parts of the books, although it presented an intriguing idea and plan, I had a hard time envisioning the plans taking place in our society today. Such as there is a chapter in the book that discusses dismantling the police force so that crime, poverty, economies, racism to get better. I definitely think that MAJOR changes need to be done in police force, as well as the criminal justice system and incarceration rates. I agree fully with the information presented in this chapter. The way it is explained, how dismantling the police force would work, it makes perfect sense. I just don't see it happening. I can't envision how that exactly would work in today's current society. I can see it working in an ideal society. But sometimes we have to accept that things aren't going to be ideal. Part of it is, that I think there are too many unpredictable factors that could interfere with this and cause more damage than necessary. Believe me I am no political expert, so this is just my opinion. I guess what I find annoying here and is making me very frustrated, is that I agree with everything that is said in this essay, I understand it, it is common sense to me. I am frustrated because I have my doubts.
The authors took a lot of risk in writing this book, presenting a novel, intriguing, a different mindset that society is not familiar or maybe comfortable with. It talks about change and a lot of people are afraid of change. They took risk in writing this book because there are going to be people who don't agree and have different opinions. At the other side of the coin, in order to form an opinion you have to see both sides of the coin. I am glad the authors took this risk, I admire people who are not scared of taking risks. I enjoyed this book thoroughly, yes it was a little dry at times but it was so thought provoking that it made up for the dryness. I can't say enough about this book. It is refreshing. Usually you read political books where the tone and everything in it is so negative, hopeless and is a complete rant of bashing the people you disagree with. This book is different than that, it is different from a lot of any other books that you have read or will read. It is different because it leaves you feeling very hopeful and allows your imagination to wander the what if's in life.
I want to thank Netgalley, Henry Holt and Co. (the publisher) and the authors Sarah Leonard and Bhaskar Sunkara for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book introduced a whole new way of political thought. It took on a new approach, different from the democratic or republican mindset. This book was very well organized, it is broken down to ten essays each tackling a different aspect of the political, economic, and social issues that we face today. Each essay attempts to break down the current system of why it does not work, the history behind each issue and finally proposes a new way of solving the issue. Often you hear from politicians how they promise to change the status quo. You hear promises of getting rid of unemployment, create more jobs, raise minimum wage, decrease our deficit and so forth. You hear all these promises and commitments but no one ever tells you how they are going to accomplish it, i.e. what is their plan? This book for the most part, not only committed to solving these same issues but discussed a plan how exactly it would be done and how to get from here to there. It goes deeper than that it explains why things are the way things are, the factors that led to where we are today. I was truly amazed and surprised that this book is not all entirely new set of ideas. That things like full employment by where everyone who wants to work can find work. Where the workweek is shortened to 30 hours but still retaining your 40 hour pay. With having enough money to sustain you and your family. A life where you have more benefits and at the same time, have more time off and more time to spend with your family or leisure activities. Take a moment to ponder this to sit back and imagine what life would be like? How your life would be different? Guess what! This plan was introduced to congress many years ago but sadly never made it into legislation. What if your life or the life of your children could be like this? This book will tell you how it is possible. I bet you are thinking this seems all too good to be true. I did to have that feeling several times while reading this book. With the plans that are presented in this book makes sense. And sometimes it makes too much sense in that you are left wondering why this or that hasn't occurred yet. You find yourself saying jeez this is not rocket science here. And because the ideas and plans presented in this book make sense and are understandable, it gives you that hope you need to be able to believe it, and ultimately not dismiss it as being too good to be true.
During some parts of the books, although it presented an intriguing idea and plan, I had a hard time envisioning the plans taking place in our society today. Such as there is a chapter in the book that discusses dismantling the police force so that crime, poverty, economies, racism to get better. I definitely think that MAJOR changes need to be done in police force, as well as the criminal justice system and incarceration rates. I agree fully with the information presented in this chapter. The way it is explained, how dismantling the police force would work, it makes perfect sense. I just don't see it happening. I can't envision how that exactly would work in today's current society. I can see it working in an ideal society. But sometimes we have to accept that things aren't going to be ideal. Part of it is, that I think there are too many unpredictable factors that could interfere with this and cause more damage than necessary. Believe me I am no political expert, so this is just my opinion. I guess what I find annoying here and is making me very frustrated, is that I agree with everything that is said in this essay, I understand it, it is common sense to me. I am frustrated because I have my doubts.
The authors took a lot of risk in writing this book, presenting a novel, intriguing, a different mindset that society is not familiar or maybe comfortable with. It talks about change and a lot of people are afraid of change. They took risk in writing this book because there are going to be people who don't agree and have different opinions. At the other side of the coin, in order to form an opinion you have to see both sides of the coin. I am glad the authors took this risk, I admire people who are not scared of taking risks. I enjoyed this book thoroughly, yes it was a little dry at times but it was so thought provoking that it made up for the dryness. I can't say enough about this book. It is refreshing. Usually you read political books where the tone and everything in it is so negative, hopeless and is a complete rant of bashing the people you disagree with. This book is different than that, it is different from a lot of any other books that you have read or will read. It is different because it leaves you feeling very hopeful and allows your imagination to wander the what if's in life.
I want to thank Netgalley, Henry Holt and Co. (the publisher) and the authors Sarah Leonard and Bhaskar Sunkara for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
chelsearednecksrising's review
4.0
Informative and productive read for social justice workers; left me craving more depth
I would absolutely recommend this to all of my friends invested in community organizing, social justice, and politics work. I loved the variety of topics discussed and solutions presented, with the interconnected perspective. I was hoping for more depth in the solution proposals and organizing strategies to bring them about. Overall, insightful and informative with practical talking points for the policies that would create a realistically equitable future.
I would absolutely recommend this to all of my friends invested in community organizing, social justice, and politics work. I loved the variety of topics discussed and solutions presented, with the interconnected perspective. I was hoping for more depth in the solution proposals and organizing strategies to bring them about. Overall, insightful and informative with practical talking points for the policies that would create a realistically equitable future.
tcweeks24's review
3.0
Clear, easy-to-read political essays, although they go beyond that somewhat. I liked some of the essays more than others, but overall very interesting.
salama_assata's review
2.0
I think this is an okay reading for a beginner interested in movements and movement history. There were some interesting ideas discussed in chapters such as "Working for the Weekend," "The Cure for Bad Science," and "Finding the Future of Criminal Justice." Others like "After Gay Marriage" felt like they were on the cusp of radical thought by ultimately fell flat.
Overall, I believe calling this collection "radical" is a big stretch. Many essays espouse the benefits of social democracy and use various eastern European countries as examples of socialism "working." This in itself is a red flag for me as social democracy is usually nothing more than capitalism in a nicer coat and countries like Norway and Sweden which tout "social democracy" and a higher standard of living do so off of the backs of Africa and the Global South.
It was not a bad reading, but it was not great and it definitely did not radicalize me.
Overall, I believe calling this collection "radical" is a big stretch. Many essays espouse the benefits of social democracy and use various eastern European countries as examples of socialism "working." This in itself is a red flag for me as social democracy is usually nothing more than capitalism in a nicer coat and countries like Norway and Sweden which tout "social democracy" and a higher standard of living do so off of the backs of Africa and the Global South.
It was not a bad reading, but it was not great and it definitely did not radicalize me.
nadavdavid's review
3.0
Several powerful essays on reimagining our economic system. Some were very academic and difficult to follow.
chalicotherex's review
5.0
I think a lot of heavy, wonkish political literature is so hard to read because you find so many writers obfuscating their inability to outline either society's problems or to suggest possible solutions. What's that John Dolan line again about bad writers and squids using ink for the same purpose? So when I say that this book was quite readable, even a pleasure to read, I think I'm making more than an aesthetic comment.
This is the future I want.
This is the future I want.
jennjenn's review
4.0
A little something for everyone.
As with most anthologies not every chapter will appeal to you. But this book has a little something for everyone. I would highly recommend it to anyone who leans to the left.
As with most anthologies not every chapter will appeal to you. But this book has a little something for everyone. I would highly recommend it to anyone who leans to the left.
jacquelynjoan's review against another edition
5.0
Very accessible for non-economist types like me. The last chapter (before the Coda) had parts that I didn't fully grasp, but that's ok.
I'm going to try to get as many people to read this as I can. I wanted to underline every line.
I'm going to try to get as many people to read this as I can. I wanted to underline every line.
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