Customer Reviews

You Don't Have to Fuck People Over to Survive

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_You Don't Have To Fuck People Over To Survive_ is a gripping collection of images, comic strips, and visual history. Both political and deeply personal at the same time, Tobocman takes a stand on Mumia Abu Jamal, Israel's military-industrial complex, relationships and the world of bosses, bastards and bohemians that populate New York City. The words aren't as important though, one of Seth's panels would be as powerful pasted up on a shattered wall in Belfast or New Delhi as it would in your hands. And he's right you know, you don't have to fuck people over to survive. Or yourself.

Originally published back in the 1980s, this new edition of Seth Tobocman's classic first book is today sadly more relevant than ever given the current financial meltdown, foreclosure crisis, and US imperialist wars and occupations. Covering topics like gentrification, homelessness, police brutality, racism, homophobia, US militarism, Third World debt, Reagonomics, the prison industrial complex, environmental destruction, and more, this book is a heart-wrenching and powerful testament of social struggle and resistance. As a gay man living with AIDS, I was especially moved by the portion of the book by Tobocman and Peter Plate dealing with AIDS activism back in the eighties. Thanks to the sacrifice and solidarity of activists back then younger seropositive people like myself are still alive. So, thank you Seth Tobocman, ACT UP, and everyone else who insisted that people like me have a right to live. With every re-print of this book, Tobocman adds more material. In this expanded new edition, Tobocman includes material on Mumia abu Jamal, Amadou Diallo, Brad Will, Tristan Anderson, the economic crisis, and the wars in Iraq and Palestine. As you can tell, this is really an amazing book. If you're at all interested in anti-authoritarian politics and movement history, do yourself a favor and read this book. You won't regret it.

The powerful graphics and engaging text make this book a "must have" for everyone who knows who Peter Plate is, who has listened to Nick Cave or been to a Fugazi show. Excellent in every way.