The Activist's Handbook: A Primer for the 1990s and Beyond (Paperback)

by Randy Shaw (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Primer for the 1990s and Beyond, Randy Shaw takes a broader approach, showing how activists for anything from the environment to AIDS policy to school reform can influence politicians and the media, form alliances and take direct action (June, Univ. of California, $17.95 ISBN 0-520-20317-8; cloth $50 -20315-1). A tighter focus is provided by Richard Mintzer, author of Volunteering in New York City: Your Guide to Working Small Miracles in the Big Apple. Divided into sections on art and culture, children, animals, the homeless, libraries, seniors and more, it gives introductory information on what to expect and a listing of organizations (June, Walker, $10.95 ISBN 0-8027-7481-4).
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
"An informed analysis essential to those who care about the environment, the rights of the poor, and the plight of minorities. . . . Required reading for those who want to wage successful campaigns of social change in their communities. . . . Reveals a current of organized discontent that has evolved and become more sophisticated since the groundswell days of the 1960s."--"New Mission News

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Product Details

• Paperback: 326 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press (June 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520203178
• ISBN-13: 978-0520203174
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,848,421 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading for serious social-change activists, June 3, 1999

By A Customer

This book provides concrete examples of how grassroots social change organizations are either successful or unsuccessful in reaching their goals. Case studies of actual campaigns are presented and particular strategies are analyzed in various fields of activism. Legislative strategy, ballot initiatives, direct action and dealing with the media are all presented. Compelling reading and very rewarding, this book is also the activism Bible of the adult adoptee-rights organization Bastard Nation.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for activists, December 1, 2000

By	B. Warrick "Flynnatic" (Marietta, GA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is absolutely essential reading for any activist. The author, who is a successful activist himself, covers everthing you need to know to get your cause "out there" where people (and especially decision-makers) will see the importance of your issue and choose to do something about it.

If you are an activist that wants to be both efficennt and effective, I would highly suggest reading this book

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good strategies, but where's the democracy?, May 21, 2000

By	meg moore (KY) - See all my reviews

Good advice especially re: dealing with the press, lawyers, and applying strategy. Would have liked to see a lot more about getting social change organizations to really involve their members in running the organization- its still "Tales of the Super Organizer" a model activists need to outgrow and are already outgrowing.