Customer Reviews

Property Outlaws: How Squatters, Pirates, and Protesters Improve the Law of Ownership

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From the illegal occupation of tribal and federal lands by white squatters to the Indian occupation of Alacraz Island, from the lunch counter sit-ins to the online posting of a major civil rights film without consent of the filmmaker, Peñalver and Katyal show how those excluded from property have shaped property law and ultimately social life by intentionally infringing on the rights of owners. A major achievement.

This book is essential reading for all who care about social justice and human rights. It reminds us that the status quo must be constantly questioned, challenged and reinvented to maximize just outcomes. This brilliant manifesto is an evidence-based call to action for anyone seeking to make positive change in the world. In an era of scarce and unevenly allocated resources, this book brings to light the value of disobedience to challenge failing norms and the power of marginalized individuals to change--and even improve--the legal and social order. A must-have on both the advocates' and scholars' shelves.

This is a beautifully executed and engrossing book about one of American society's greatest enigmas - its tolerance of those who break property laws. It is a must-read for anyone interested in land, intellectual property, or other inquiry into who has (or who can grab) what.