Going Public: An Inside Story of Disrupting Politics as Usual (Hardcover)

by Michael Gecan (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
'The inside story of an extraordinary politics you probably didn't know existed-ordinary Americans getting together and acquiring real power for themselves.' -William Greider, national correspondent, The Nation "If you want to know how ordinary Americans accomplished extraordinary things-built affordable homes, created effective schools, won living wages-then the story and the strategy reside in this remarkable book. Going Public is at once pragmatic and profound." -Samuel G. Freedman, author of Upon This Rock: The Miracles of a Black Church

This book celebrates the 'ordinary' person who discovers his/her hidden power in a community--as an organizer. -- Studs Terkel, author of WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN?

the touch of a true storyteller as he takes you through this tale of everyday people overcoming abusers of power. -- Sydney Schanberg, author of THE DEATH AND LIFE OF DITH PRAN

Product Description
"The inside story of an extraordinary politics you probably didn"t know existed—ordinary Americans getting together and acquiring real power for themselves."
—William Greider, national correspondent, The Nation

A New York city neighborhood once called "the beginning of the end of civilization" is where Michael Gecan starts. Hired by residents to help them save their community, he and local leaders spend more than a decade
wrestling New York politicians in an impassioned effort against all odds that brings in five thousand new homes.

From bad behavior by Ed Koch to complicated negotiations with Rudy Giuliani, Gecan tells the inside story of how the city really works, and
how any organized group of citizens can wield power in seemingly unmovable bureaucracies.

Gecan"s unwavering vision of the value of public action has roots in a rough childhood in Chicago, where he witnessed extortion by the mob and a tragic fire in his Catholic grade school that left ninety-two children and three nuns dead.

In his inspiring story of the will to claim the full benefits of citizenship, Gecan offers unforgettable lessons that every American should know: What is the best way to talk to politicians? What resources do all communities need to
create change? What kinds of public actions really work?

"If you want to know how ordinary Americans accomplished extraordinary things—built affordable homes, created effective schools, won living wages—then the story and the strategy reside in this remarkable book. Going Public
is at once pragmatic and profound."
—Samuel G. Freedman, author of Upon This Rock: The Miracles of a Black Church

Michael Gecan has been an organizer for twenty years. He lives in Princeton, New Jersey.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Beacon Press (October 14, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807043370
• ISBN-13: 978-0807043370
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #757,493 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reason to Hope, to Engage, a total surprise of a book! , November 23, 2004

By	C. Kang "dream of hope" (NYC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It's a first book I've ever read that made me feel that I matter and that I can make a difference. First time that I saw eye-to-eye with an author. First time that appealed to the better angels of myself, and not to my partisan, ideological demons. He spares nobody, not unions, not politicians, not Democrats, not Republicans, not not-for-profit bureacrats, not street demonstrators, and not even clergy. At the same time, he provides tales of successful working relationships with some politicians, some union members, some cops, some not-for-profit leaders, and certainly the leaders in our churches.
Average people indeed can make a difference, through organizing and discipline, through giving credit when deserved, through bringing accountability when needed, through redeeming the mechanics of our world as it is. In fact, the miraculous work and victories were achieved by the working poor themselves, not some academics with Ph.D., MPA, MSW, JD, etc. If you can't read anything all year but one book, this one is it!