Loyal to the Sky: Notes from an Activist

by Marisa Handler

Activist and journalist Marisa Handler takes us on a fascinating journey—from her childhood home in apartheid South Africa to Israel, India, Nepal, Ecuador, Peru, and all over the United States—to offer a rare and revealing glimpse inside the global justice movement. She examines the movement’s strengths and contradictions, demystifies its confrontational tactics, and explains why it has become such a powerful force for change. With vivid details of the many characters and events that have influenced her, this gripping coming-of-age story shows how, in a globalized society, we each have within us the power to change the world.

288 pages, Hardcover

First published February 19, 2007

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up at random and was surprised t find how much the author has done that is similar to what I've done. She is an activist writer who traveled to different places in search of herself, and of truth - spiritual truths. She questions the wisdom of tactics. She plugged into what is loosely called the anti-globalization movement. In Ecuador and Peru, she found a movement that was true to its culture, and therefore successful, and one that had lost its culture, and was probably losing to oil companies. Her last chapter is at the School of the Americas action in Georgia, where she is inspired by the mix of art and politics and spirituality and de-centralized decision making.

[Robert Negut · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s safe to say that this book greatly exceeded my expectations, and the writing style has a fair bit to do with that. I’ve seen other reviews stating that it’s overdone and the author is showing off and thinking too highly of herself, in this and other ways, but I disagree and will say that the writing is worthy of something that would stand much higher on the totem pole of creative writing than a memoir. And I also disagree with those complaining that she was too young for a memoir and say that the book was aided by the freshness of the memories and being written at a time when she was still searching and having more questions than answers, becoming even more honest and personal as a result.
Past that, there are so many good, thought-provoking musings on too many topics to list. I do need to point out one, or more exactly the entire part about the Israel-Palestine conflict, which remains so relevant and accurate that it might as well have been written now and not almost 20 years ago, but I gave up on my initial intention of listing more when I realized that I’d need to write a book of my own to comment on them… And anyone trying to give proper answers to the good questions contained in the discussion guide that’s included at the end may well be on their way to do just that.
Admittedly, while the general issues presented in them obviously remain, multiple chapters detail a specific period and type of US protests that may be less relevant elsewhere and now, though they remain interesting for those who are curious about certain aspects, even the quite dry San Francisco chapter revealing a fair bit about organizing such movements. I wasn’t keen on the Fort Benning chapter either, having plenty to comment about the musings it started from and then finding it rather meandering, but that’s probably another result of the author honestly presenting her personal journey, including the crossroads she found herself at while writing the book.

[Laura Norton-Cruz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I hadn't lent this book out before first writing down all the quotations that I loved. I would have included some in here. look forward to getting it back to do this.

I imagine this book works for certain people and I bet it does not for others. It worked for me because of my history in activism, international travel, the anger that used to rage around in me, my passion for social justice, and my need, like Marisa, for spiritual practice and peace. It worked for me in spite of finding her sometimes annoying and cocky or her writing a little overdone. It worked because I could see similar faults in myself and then, as I am thinking this, she goes and notices those herself and talks about the things unresolved and the struggles and questions that remain. Despite her sometimes arrogance, those moments of humility and lesson learning redeemed the book and made it powerful for me.

It also wove together story and beautiful description with lots of information about corporate globalization, international debt and its consequences, environmental exploitation, religious and ethnic hatred, etc. That's a hard thing to do, to make such heavy information a good bedtime read. Bravo to Marisa.

I recommend this book, but also recommend you brace yourself to occasionally be annoyed. The annoyingness is redeemed, so it's well worth it.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd forgotten about activism! Well, not really, but in the years since I graduated from UCSC, I've concentrated so much more on books and writing that the time in my life where I regularly went to protests and marched against the war in Iraq and the crumbling of reproductive rights in this country seems so far away. This book reminded me of that time, and re-inspired me to stay informed about the global justice movement now that I don't live in Santa Cruz. But Marisa's book is so much more than a book about marching and protesting. I would say that it is equally a memoir about spiritual growth, and I found that really interesting. I tend to group people into two categories--those born to create and those born to serve. This book reminds us that it is possible to both through writing and through travel and human connection. I know Marisa (she's a fellow Workshopper) and her brother (we went to UCSC together) and this book was so much fine for me to read on that level, too. Just getting to follow her family from South Africa to the US and then Marisa as she went all over the world was insightful and educational. Enjoy!

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book!

"Activist and journalist Marisa Handler takes us on a fascinating journey -- from her childhood home in apartheid South Africa to Israel, India, Nepal, Ecuador, Peru, and all over the United States -- to offer a rare and revealing glimpse inside the global justice movement. She examines the movement's strengths and contradictions, demystifies its confrontational tactics, and explains why it has become such a powerful force for change. With vivid details of the people and events that have influenced her, this gripping coming of age story shows how, in a globalized society, we each have within us the power to change the world."

The only criticism I might have of this book is that it's disjointed. The author chose highlights from her life and career, but they were separated in time and space, and sometimes it was difficult to follow the thread.

Marisa has a witty sense of humor, and is dedicated to democracy and freedom, and justice. She's dedicated her life to it those principles -- one can't help but admire her.

[Devon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book reminded me of how frustrating it is to organize on the left. At the same time, it reminded me of how rewarding it can feel. That moment when you're at a protest march and suddenly you see all the people around you and your body tingles all over with joy and solidarity: that makes it worth it.

The book is a good read - it is interesting to compare this memoir with memoirs of activists from the 60s. Things haven't changed much.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was interesting in the sense that I could see the behind the scenes to protests organizing. And it was nice to learn about the activist's life as she grows and reacts to the different countries she travels to. I don't know if I would necessarily recommend it, as I felt that I wanted to learn from each chapter as she shortens them quite significantly. Not a bad read.

[Molly Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book for any woman who is/was/wants to be an activist. Handler questions herself, her motives, her actions, and she accomplishes some pretty amazing feats. Also, she does a lot of traveling. Since she's gone through all the motions and recorded everything in such great detail, I have no interest in becoming an activist, but I admire her journey.

[Lynette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marisa Handler studied for the past two years at the Iowa Writers' Workshop. I had the pleasure of meeting her through her interest in the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship program. She is a beautiful and delightful young woman. This book chronicles her life -- in which she has already experienced so many formative experiences.

[Kayte Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting memoir from a young anti-globilization activist. I especially enjoyed reading her perspective of the RNC protests. I cried a little bit remembering how charged those few days were with energy and hopefullness, until everyone started getting arrested of course.

[Cherie · Rating 2 out of 5]

B Average. She's too young to have written a memoir, and some of the stuff she does is very interesting, but other times, I think, she's not an activist, she's a freelance liberal journalist.

[Malena · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Author tells the story of her travels, thoughts on world politics and how she got involved.