Shaking the System: What I Learned from the Great American Reform Movements

by Tim Stafford

Saving the environment. Helping the poor. Stopping abortion. Feeding the hungry. Increasing fair trade. Eliminating pornography. Ending racism.Thousands are active today seeking to make the world a better place. It is a great American tradition that goes back hundreds of years. Sometimes such reform movements were very effective and sometimes they weren't. What made the difference? How come some grand ideals were fulfilled and others faded away?Tim Stafford explores the patterns of successful and failed reform movements to highlight what activists today can learn. How can activists keep from burning out? How can they avoid the lure of violence? What are ways to engage politics that are at once practical and ethical?The great American reform movements of the last two centuries have an abundance of down-to-earth guidance to offer on these and other vital questions. Tim Stafford weaves the stories of the abolitionist movement, the temperance movement, the suffrage movement and the civil rights movement into this readable and practical study with application to those today who are motivated by the gospel to make a difference in the world.

Genres: History

176 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 30, 2007

Reviews

[Robby Eckard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful analysis of historical movements and their successes and failures, and how we can apply that knowledge today. I especially appreciated where Mr. Stafford admitted that the results of certain methods were mixed or unclear, and he wasn't sure exactly how he felt about using certain tactics. That shows a humility to admit that he does not have all the knowledge, while showing his understanding that social movements are not an exact science and there is no fool-proof plan for changing the world.

[Eddy Ekmekji · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great historical background to how activists movements flourish. If you want to learn a little US history and be inspired to be a Christian activist, this is the book for you!

Check out my review at: Serving Bread (My Blog)

[Jeff]

A wonderful gift from Andrew VanStee - thanks Andrew!

[Cory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed it! Want to reread to make sure I got all the content, but I ususally enjoy the way Tim Stafford presents things.