Progressive Nation: A Travel Guide with 400+ Inspiring Landmarks and Left Turns

by Jerome Pohlen

Nearly every progressive movement in American history can be traced back to a person who said "This must change" and then set out to change it. This inspiring travel guide to over 400 markers of progressive politics in the United States celebrates those individuals, their accomplishments, and the movements and communities they inspired. Visit the battlegrounds and celebrate the victories of the civil libertarians, feminists, African Americans, gays, lesbians, environmentalists, labor organizers, and media activists who have worked to create a just, peaceful society that respects all of its citizens. With enthusiasm and humor, Jerome Pohlen guides travelers to such landmarks of change as Each entry features a listing of books, films, and Web sites for further information, making this an essential lefty resource. For adventurous travelers, family vacationers, and those who want a more complete picture of American history, this book will inspire them to do more than just cast a vote.

Genres: Travel

422 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun manifesto for progressives and wanna-bes. Filled with interesting facts, quotes and history. I don't think it was really designed to be a travelogue, but the format fits the message well: We've got a great history in the US and here are the memorable "left turns". Practically every page has something I didn't really know about mixed in with the well publicized events. I'll definitely keep it as a reference.
In Dover, Pa:
The teaching of creationism in public schools had already been declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. But the term "Intelligent Design" (ID)came out as creationism by another name, popularized through a book titled "Of Pandas and People". Learn how the Dover Area School Board was infiltrated by ID proponents and ultimately returned to science.

Ithaca, NY:

"If you keep your Moral Force intact just sufficiently so that you can stand up once or twice in the rest of your life and say, "You know what? This is wrong for me and for people I know and for people I don't know and I'm not going to do it," you will have improved the world." Keith Olbermann, 1998

From Omaha, NB
A great young group called "Bright Eyes". Go to YOUTUBE and search for "When The President Talks to God" This group is the new and improved Dylan!

From New York:
Reverend Billy and The Church of Stop Shopping. Go to revbilly.com and join the choir today!

A great empowering book, will help you win lots of arguments with blockheads! Be proud to be a liberal!

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll admit, I haven't read the full book. However, this type of book is really meant to be dipped into, rather than read cover to cover. I could quibble with the author's leaving out a few places (c'mon, no entries for Madison, Wisconsin? what about the site of the anti-Dow Chemical protests?), or about the vague definition of "progressive" (not just a problem of this book). But overall, it's a great resource. It really shows that leftist/radical/progressive history and activism does not take place solely on the East and West Coasts-- it's all over the U.S..