Customer Reviews

Bridging the Class Divide: And Other Lessons for Grassroots Organizing

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This is a moving personal story that shows how ordinary people can make a difference. It exemplifies the statement of Margaret Mead, "Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Told in simple language, the story has profound insight into the way social class limits opportunities of working class people and how social class prejudice hurts. There are many practical insights about how people can organize effectively to make a better world.

Bridging the Class Divide is one of the best books in the world on organizing for social change. By telling her own story, Linda Stout makes it clear what the obstacles are for low-income people to work for a better world, and what the obstacles are for forming mixed-class coalitions, and how those obstacles can be overcome.
This is not just my own individual opinion. I assigned this book as one of 8 books in a graduate course for environmental advocates, and at the end of the course I asked the students what learnings they would carry with them into their working life the most, and 7 out of 11 students named Linda Stout's key points.
-- Betsy Leondar-Wright

Activists will find this book invaluable. Rev. William Sloan Coffin said it all: "Class may well prove a nut even tougher to crack than racism. With a wealth of wisdom, Linda Stout shows how to organize progressive movements that are genuinely inclusive. Grassroots organizers especially will be in her debt, which is where I have happily been for years."

If you care about helping to create a better world, this book will help. Class divisions are one of the most insidious, though least discussed, problems impacting our ability to effectively build movements for change. In an accessible style, with great stories, Linda Stout shares her years of organizing wisdom and makes it clear just what it takes to build effective cross-class alliances.

As the Executive Director of Class Action, www.classism.org, I have recommended Bridging the Class Divide many times. It is a useful resource for activists and non-activists alike.

Felice Yeksel

This book should is a must read for everyone! I was first assigned this book in a college course, and it became the best book I ever read to help me understand how change happens. It gave me hope and motivated me to change my life to work for social justice. Because the author is not a college graduate, her language is clear, simple and powerful.

If you want to create change in the world, this is the book to read.

Even if you're not interested in social change, this book gives you an insight to what happens to people who grow up in poverty and other oppressive conditions. Great stories!

Linda Stout's book is a very timely reminder of what it will take to create a true cross-class community in this country, and reduce the polarization that plagues our political life. I highly recommend this book.

Bridging the Class Divide is a "must read" for anyone with an interest in community organizing at any level. Not only is Linda Stout's personal story riveting, but the book also provides concrete steps for how to go about galvanizing groups and individuals. Stout has a great way of reaching out to everyone, not just people who do this full-time, but anyone who wants to make a difference in their community. It is at once inspiring and practical. I read it when it was first published and have referred to it many times since then. My 14-year old recently began bringing together kids to organize around school issues, and I passed it along to him. And if you're not interested in organizing, Stout's personal journey is inspiring all on its own.

Stout's book is an exemplary model of praxis, weaving together experiential learning and grounded theory to help all social change groups gain critical tools for inclusive, effective work! Her warm, accessible language and inspiring stories frame practical guidance for a broad audience. Stout proves that we ALL can make a positive difference in the world if and when we are willing to bridge social divisions.

This book truly is an awe inspiring read!! It really should become standard reading for every kind of institution and grassroots organization. The story itself is very moving and makes you feel for and with the author. There are many great lessons to apply to ones life and service and the inspiring words to make you get up and use them. I have brought this book up many times when discussing positive change that is going on in the world and shared my copy with several people and am going to buy another copy as a present for a friend. You will not be able to put the book down until you have read it all the way through!

I have been working for social change thirty years now. I can wholeheartedly say that Linda Stout is one of the best organizers and resources there is on issues of overcoming class and racial divisions; so that we can be more effective in our work for justice, peace and a wide range of other progressive issues. I worked with Linda back in the 80's and she is still one of my most important mentors. Her book reflects her unique qualities which all come from life experience and wisdom born from life in the struggle and life in the spirit. It is both informative and inspiring -- a book that you don't want to put down and one that can make you a better person in your personal life and in your work for a better world. Herb Walters