Customer Reviews

Ideas for Action: Relevant Theory for Radical Change

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I definitely recommend Cynthia Kaufman's Ideas for Action : Relevant Theory for Radical Change.

I'd particularly recommend it to anyone interested in activism or progressive politics. The book is designed as a way for activists to get a grasp of a broad range of progressive topics quickly and coherently, and it's a clear description of globalization, capitalism, racism, sexism, Gramsci, activism. But in the process, she writing the clearest statement of left activists beliefs I've seen. More experienced activists and intellectuals are likely to get a nice "aha" moment as they recognize ideas they use, but hadn't related to each other, presented concisely and convincingly. She also does a great job of presenting the diversity of progressive positions and beliefs without partisanship that would prevent a reader from taking their own sides. Useful in a bunch of ways.

Cynthia Kaufman's IDEAS FOR ACTION is a sophisticated but highly readable analyis of key political issues and ideas. Drawing on a wide range of historical sources, Ms. Kaufman cuts through theoretical abstractions with intelligence and grace. Her real-life examples make complex issues concrete. Far more valuable than the superficial, ahistorical commentary of most television and print journalism, this book is a delight to read and an inspiration for social action.

The book is 5* for content but 2* for condition. The previous owner mutilated it with highlighter. There were whole pages highlighted for parts of the book and some pages had completely random unimportant facts highlighted. It did not take away from the content but I found myself consistently agitated while reading it (based off of content but MOSTLY the terrible condition).

I should not have paid the price I did for such a terribly kept book.

This book is very heavy on theory and ideas behind social change which makes it a dense read. There are many new perspectives brought to light in this book however that make it worth your while.

This book is an invaluable source for a wide range of progressive ideas. The writting is very clear and lucid, never getting bogged down in semantics or pomp. It was as if you are listening to a teacher who is genuinely interested in giving you all the theoretical tools you might need to get up and take action. A lot of topics are covered dealing with capitalism, racism, sexism, environmentalism, alternative economic/politcal systems, and role of the media, just to name a few. In the process, a variety of writers and thinkers from different epochs and regions are quoted and discussed. Overall, I think that this is an excellent introductory text for those seeking to conceive what a better society should look like.

What a book! Ideas for Action is probably the best book I've read this decade; it's a precious instrument of serious activists. As an activist, I see myself as a practitioner more than an academian. And usually I find no time, no interest and no pleasure reading theoretical books. I usually find them to be too much at a distance from the real world, from reality. It's the famous between the position on a podium and the people down there in the room to whom one is giving a lecture; this book is not imposing that distance. This book is purposely written in solidarity for a better society. It is the work of an academian who also happens to be a practitioner. Ms. Kaufman released Ideas with the " . . . hopes that you will find some way to use it in your work. I wrote the book to help people new to radical politics to gain some orientations to radical thought and history, and to encourage a deepening to reflection on the part of experienced social justice activists." And let me tell you, her hopes are bearing fruit.

I was really disappointed with this product. I ordered a book that was supposed to be new and it was clearly not. It had a black marker slash across the back, sticky residue from an old sticker that had been removed, and all sorts of dirty soil marks on both sides of the cover. I feel tricked. I could be wrong but it looks like a book that should have an outside sleeve that wasn't included. Basically it's a really old book as well, not exactly hot off the press. I told the seller about the condition that this book was in, and he was not helpful at all. He offered me a 50% refund. The book was 42 dollars. If I accepted it, I would be out 21 dollars and have no book. I was very disappointed that they were not willing to either give me a full refund or offer a discounted price. I was cheated, and I'm upset. Items should come as described.

This text arrived to me as described, in new condition with no markings. Shipping was fast.