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Letters to a Young Activist (Art of Mentoring) Hardcover – April 15, 2003

by
Todd Gitlin (Author)
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Todd Gitlin (Author)
3.4 out of 5 stars 8 customer reviews
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Product Details

  • Series: Art of Mentoring
  • Hardcover: 192 pages
  • Publisher: Basic Books; First Edition edition (April 10, 2003)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0465027385
  • ISBN-13: 978-0465027385
  • Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #388,234 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Top Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 starsappreciation for Gitlin's "Letters" from a non-activist
By D. Leland on July 23, 2006
Format: Hardcover
I'll start out with my basic reason for reading this book at all, and a little bit of background. I only read this book because Todd Gitlin has been enough of a friend of Kate Coleman, a former lover of mine, that I was able to meet him at a reading Kate gave at the NYU Journalism School in March of 2005 for "The Secret Wars of Judi Bari". Todd was (still is) teaching there at the time, though the event was held under the auspices of Bruce Porter, also teaching there. Although I have not read any other of Todd's books (nor Bruce's at that time), I saw this one being remaindered (!!!) and picked it up on a chance.

I was never an activist during the 60s - by the time I was old enough to get out in the streets, the activism had degenerated into factional infighting, and it was clear that the Left was intent on killing itself in a purification rite before it would bother crossing swords with any real adversary. So I was a hedonistic hippie instead, and also bothered to get great grades in school, where I did join protests, but only if they didn't cut into my nookie time and my stoning time. Thenceforth, I went through Law School, passed the Bar, and practiced.

I did bring some of the idealism of the 60s with me, but not by becoming a docrinaire libertarian lawyer, just by letting the wholistic healthy attitudes of the bygone days permeate my practice. I retired from the Bar after about 12 years, it really wasn't good for me to be an adversarial professional, even though I did some aspects of it very well, including three winning briefs to the U.S. Supreme Court. Maybe I was activist enough, in my way.

"Letters" is a well organised series of mini-treatises, each tightly focussed on a tightly - defined theme.Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsSage Advice from a Veteran Activist
By Valerie J. Saturen VINE VOICE on May 31, 2009
Format: Hardcover
"Be original. See what happens."

With eloquence and insight, former Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) president Todd Gitlin imparts to the younger generation the wisdom acquired over five decades of activism. His LETTERS TO A YOUNG ACTIVIST is both a celebration of the joy and necessity of social change and a cautionary note regarding the traps of nihilism, black-and-white thinking, and self-righteous purity.

For those young people who despair that the era of dramatic social change is over, Gitlin offers some valuable perspective. In reflecting on the Sixties--for many of today's activists, an idealized decade that dwarfs everything since--Gitlin reminds the reader that the decade was as traumatic as it was exhilarating. Crucially, he also points out that "The Sixties" didn't simply explode out of thin air; the social movements that characterized the time emerged slowly, amid much initial opposition.

Gitlin urges young activists to remain passionate and playful, but also to think strategically and be mindful of the consequences of their words and actions. LETTERS has the feel of a friendly yet animated chat, and Gitlin's advice never approaches condescension. As an activist who has experienced frustration and burnout, I found this book to be a reminder of why I became an activist in the first place.
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5.0 out of 5 starsHow Lessons of the 1960s Still Apply Today
By Paula D. Matuskey on August 20, 2003
Format: Hardcover
One of the values of this book is that it looks back on the 1960s without glossing over the problems, some of the misdirected idealism, etc. It does serve as a testament to social action as a high calling, and in that regard, attempts to encourage activism in today's culture. I thoroughly enjoyed it because I was a teenager in the 1960s, but I also recently sent the book to my 28-year-old son because it presents thoughtful arguments without getting into trite analysis. I totally disagreed with the review by Publishers Weekly. It's well worth reading.
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5.0 out of 5 starsHow Lessons of the 1960s Still Apply Today
By Paula D. Matuskey on August 20, 2003
Format: Hardcover
One of the values of this book is that it looks back on the 1960s without glossing over the problems, some of the misdirected idealism, etc. It does serve as a testament to social action as a high calling, and in that regard, attempts to encourage activism in today's culture. I thoroughly enjoyed it because I was a teenager in the 1960s, but I also recently sent the book to my 28-year-old son because it presents thoughtful arguments without getting into trite analysis. I totally disagreed with the review by Publishers Weekly. It's well worth reading.
Comment 2 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
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