Uprising: How Wisconsin Renewed the Politics of Protest, from Madison to Wall Street [Paperback]

John Nichols (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 14, 2012

The protest movement that captivated the nation and paved the path for Occupy Wall Street. More than 100,000 public employees, teachers, students, and their allies descended on the capital in Madison, Wisconsin after Governor Scott Walker announced his plan to eliminate the right of public sector employees to unionize. The struggle (and the Democratic caucus’ escape to Indiana in order to prevent a quorum from being reached) elicited extensive national media coverage and debate—as well as enormous grassroots support for protestors. Uprising provides an anatomy of the event and its implications for the political future of the nation. As state legislatures across the US (in Ohio and New Hampshire, to name a few) take up union busting measures, Nichols shows how the Wisconsin case is a blueprint for progressives around America who’ve had enough. He also explores how Wisconsin protesters organized and inspired the Occupy Wall Street movement.

Editorial Reviews

Review

KIRKUS
“An engrossing, informative take on the mass demonstrations that broke out in Wisconsin in early 2011…. [T]his book is well researched and full of keen insights about the state of organized labor and the power of protest…. Nichols is a capable and energetic narrator with a reporter’s knack for getting to the heart of the matter….Richly detailed and inspiring—worth reading for anyone interested in organized labor, civil disobedience or the spirit of Wisconsin.”

Michael Moore
"John Nichols recognized right away that the fight in Wisconsin was about a lot more than one state. It was the fight we had all been waiting for, the one where people say 'We have had it!' John didn't just tell us what was happening in Wisconsin. He told us that what was happening in Wisconsin could happen anywhere."

 

Rev. Jesse Jackson

“I have such respect for the way John Nichols gets into a story, with his sense of history, his broad perspective and his passion for telling the stories of real people involved in real struggles. That’s what he has brought to the story of the Wisconsin struggle, and of the renewal of labor and social justice movements in America.”

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers

“We will look back at 2011 as the moment we started the march to a more perfect union—a resurgence of the labor and social justice movements fighting for economic dignity and fairness for all. No one recounts this with as much insight and passion as John Nichols.”

Shepherd Express (Milwaukee)
“One of the most inspiring aspects of Uprising: How Wisconsin Renewed the Politics of Protest, From Madison to Wall Street (Nation Books) is the reporting from Ground Zero of last year’s protests. Author John Nichols…gives a more positive, exuberant and truthful picture of what happened than the view through the slanted lens of the mainstream media….Uprising is a strong antidote to local TV newscasters who painted the protesters as an unruly mob rather than citizens united against policies that might leave us in a poorer country than the one we thought was our birthright.”

About the Author

John Nichols is The Nation’s Washington correspondent and the Associate Editor of The Capital Times in Madison, Wisconsin. He has covered seven presidential races and reported from two-dozen countries. The author or coauthor of eight books on media and politics Nichols delivered the keynote address at the 2004 Congress of the International Federation of Journalists in Athens and addressed the 2009 Global Forum on Freedom of Expression in Oslo. He lives in Madison, WI and Washington DC.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Nation Books (February 14, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568587031
• ISBN-13: 978-1568587035
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #184,059 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #73 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > Elections & Political Process > Political Advocacy
  • #83 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > United States > State

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 30 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Onward Wisconsin! February 17, 2012

By Michael Colby

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

John Nichols "Uprising" is a must read for all progressives and grass roots activists. "Uprising" snap shots the ongoing war on the middle class citizens in Wisconsin standing up for their rights to be heard against well funded radical, extreme, Republican Politicians. A story of oppression of rights and democracy by corporations that desire to impose their will over the working class of Wisconsin who want none of this! A story that only John Nichols can write with such keen knowledge of Wisconsin history and politics. A story well told that captures the spirit of Wisconsin's motto "Forward".

22 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best stories of present-day American history February 17, 2012

By R geist

Format:Paperback

A great American story. I am very glad John Nichols wrote this book. I've been following the Wisconsin movement from Jersey and have come to think it is the most inspiring community-oriented political movement I have seen in the United States in my lifetime. The occupation of the statehouse and protests that took place last winter and spring had a clear sense of purpose and a total lack of senseless melodrama, plus a great sense of humor (the prank phone call to Walker?) This movement has consistently demonstrated an ability to transcend differences and draw working Wisconsin-ites of diverse ethnic, religious and racial backgrounds together (to sing America the Beautiful inside the statehouse and wrap themselves in the American flag!) It is what this country is about. The retaliation against the movement by the governor was surreal (hiring a crew to bolt the statehouse windows shut?) Wisconsin - lead the way for everyone who is worried about big money in politics, and the future of this country.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Courage To Stand! April 8, 2012

By Geoffrey Halston

Format:Paperback

The entire idea of the founding fathers of the American government was to be a government that governed by the consent of the governed. This is "we the people," not we the rich, not we the Koch brothers.
Those brave and intrepid souls of Occupy Wall Street, and other such grassroots movements know that the Republican agenda of limited government, means in reality a government limited to the pleasure of wealthy businessmen, mega-rich corporations and a perpetual and exponential influx of tax dollars given to excessive military spending.
We the Democrats are in a noble fight against the Birchian regime of a society ruled by corporate elites, where market is king, govenment interference is unheard of, and private philanthropy is tolerated. We do not want to return to the Victorian age where such transgressions against the poor prevailed; where the poor were thrown into debtor's prison; when the worship-worthy titans of industry were granted an ethical carte blanche so they could trample with impunity over the down-trodden poor.
It's always interesting to note that these Republicans seated so comfortably at their lavish well-fed tables believe that their cast-off crumbs are more than sufficient for the wroking poor. Why else should they demand nothing less than the elimination of unions; the complete elimination of every redress for grievances? All this is nothing less than a demand to balance the budget on the backs of the working class.
The Koch brothers -- who spent millions getting Walker into office -- claim to self-made wealth is interesting. Let us consider that when their father passed away in 1967, they inherited $300 million. Fred Koch spent the 30s growing rich under the Stalin regime. Check this out for yourselves. The Koch brothers call Obama a socialist, yet they have made profits by doing business with Hugo Chavez, a true socialist. Thus, they reap millions of dollars in socialist government subsidies every year. My point is that the Koch brothers did not create their wealth, like genies in a void, but had help -- a great deal of it -- government and otherwise. Let us further not forget that governor Walker does not lead a life of grinding poverty. And without teachers, government funded education, where would he be? Yet he has no problem denying teachers a voice in contract negotiations!
I salute the courage of Mr. Nichols to stand against these web-weaving tyrants!