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Steal This Country: A Handbook for Resistance, Persistence, and Fixing Almost Everything
A walk-the-walk, talk-the-talk, hands-on, say-it-loud handbook for activist kids who want to change the world!Inspired by Abbie Hoffman's radical classic, Steal This Book, author Alexandra Styron's stirring call for resistance and citizen activism will be clearly heard by young people who don't accept "it is what it is," who want to make sure everybody gets an equal piece of the American pie, and who know that the future of the planet is now. Styron's irreverent and informative primer on how to make a difference is organized into three The Why, The What, and The How. The book opens with a personal essay and a historic look at civil disobedience and teenage activism in America. That's followed by a deep dive into several key climate change, racial justice, women's rights, LGBTQIA rights, immigration, religious understanding, and intersectionality. Each chapter is introduced by an original full page comic and includes a summary of key questions, interviews with movers and shakers--from celebrities to youth activists--and spotlights on progressive organizations. The book's final section is packed with how-to advice on ways to engage, from group activities such as organizing, marching, rallying, and petitioning to individual actions like voting with your wallet, volunteering, talking with relatives with different viewpoints, and using social activism to get out a progressive message. This is a perfect book for older middle-schoolers and teens who care about the planet, the people with whom they share it, and the future for us all.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 4, 2018
15 people are currently reading
226 people want to read
About the author
Alexandra Styron
12 books15 followersAlexandra Styron, the youngest child of Rose and William Styron, lives in New York City and Chilmark, Massachusetts. She holds an M.F.A. in creative writing from Columbia University. All the Finest Girls (2001) is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 13, 2025
Three stars is fair because there are some great (short) interviews and some useful resources. Some good advice about how to start a petition, how to contact Congress people, what to bring to a protest march, and so on. All written in short, short segments, evidently on the assumption that the reader is a giggly young thing in high school with, like, a 30 second attention span. For sure!
But if you're over fifty and have even a passing familiarity with the works of William Styron, (Alexandra Styron's father) then this book is quite sinister. Screamingly funny in some parts, and crushingly sad in others. And there's an air of denial, and pervading unreality, like, pay no attention to that man behind the curtain, that old Confederate general pulling levers. That's just my dad!
Read the introduction, where a very demure Alexandra Styron blandly states that her father was "a best selling author" and her upbringing was "left of center." Actually, no. William Styron may have hobnobbed with limousine liberals for appearances' sake, but as an author he was a camp follower of reaction, a genteel southern crud who wrote garbage like "The Confessions of Nat Turner" and "Sophie's Choice." That is to say, when he wasn't sentimentalizing the "saintly" slave-owners of old Virginia and demonizing enslaved persons as hate-filled, axe-wielding maniacs, he was jeering at the Jews of Auschwitz and creating lurid fantasies about beautiful blondes being ravished by leering, sneering Brooklyn Jews.
Alexandra Styron maintains a prim silence about the more problematic aspects of her father's work. She ignores her father's crimes here, just the way she did in her memoir, "Reading My Father." And you could say, well, it's not her fault who her daddy was. It's not relevant. But it is! You see, most of this book is a hate-filled rant against Donald Trump. But Trump's lies are not really all that different from the lies that were her daddy's bread and butter.
For example. Everyone remembers the Charlottesville riot, and the young men chanting "Jews will not replace us." Very few people remember that the inciting incident was the proposed removal of a statue of Robert E. Lee. Well, Donald Trump was furious. He said Robert E. Lee was a hero and he wasn't going to let the Woke left turn the heroes of the Confederacy into villains. William Styron was saying that sort of thing all his life. From "Lie Down In Darkness" to "Sophie's Choice" he never shut up about the courage of the Confederate army, and the daring exploits of Jackson and Mosby, and he was always bellowing about "Quaker abolitionists" who insisted on depicting slaveowners as evil! Does Alexandra Styron really imagine we've all forgotten? Or is she cynically relying on the ignorance of her teenage audience?
To say that Donald Trump's Presidency is a "nightmare" is to ignore the real nightmare that slavery was for enslaved people in the South, particularly in Virginia. William Styron devoted all his energy and his life's work to finding excuses for the South, and to trivializing the crimes of his ancestors. They were "saintly," and slavery was a "cancer" that came upon them unjustly. All his life William Styron was an apologist for evil. But he wasn't alone. He helped to build the very same myth of the Lost Cause that Donald Trump was defending when he talked about preserving the good name of heroic Confederate generals and remembering the "good people on both sides!" (If you want to read a good book about this, check out "Robert E. Lee and Me" by Ty Seidule. In debunking Robert E. Lee he did the necessary work William Styron never had the nerve to attempt!)
But the real truth is more horrific still. Towards the end of this book, after loads of perky slogan shouting about this and that, Alexandra Styron makes a passing reference to Dylan Roof, the southern boy who shot up a Black church in Charleston, South Carolina. She doesn't ask why he did what he did. She doesn't mention his deep love for the Confederacy, carefully nurtured by the Lost Cause nostalgia of bloated, boozy, aging white men like Donald Trump . . . and her father. Nope. All that evil just came out of nowhere!
You know what? I think Alexandra Styron needs to really think about Dylan Roof. Because when he broke into that church and started shooting, he didn't see what you and I would see. His victims were mostly women, mostly elderly, and they were Black. But I'm willing to bet he didn't see them. Dylan Roof saw black monsters like the ones William Styron summoned up in The Confessions of Nat Turner. He saw the crazy slave Will, with his axe, and devious Preacher Nat, with his sword, and he saw lovely and innocent Miss Margaret Whitehead being ravished over and over.
In all the ways that really matter, Dylan Roof was William Styron's son. And Alexandra Styron needs to confront the crimes of her brother.
But if you're over fifty and have even a passing familiarity with the works of William Styron, (Alexandra Styron's father) then this book is quite sinister. Screamingly funny in some parts, and crushingly sad in others. And there's an air of denial, and pervading unreality, like, pay no attention to that man behind the curtain, that old Confederate general pulling levers. That's just my dad!
Read the introduction, where a very demure Alexandra Styron blandly states that her father was "a best selling author" and her upbringing was "left of center." Actually, no. William Styron may have hobnobbed with limousine liberals for appearances' sake, but as an author he was a camp follower of reaction, a genteel southern crud who wrote garbage like "The Confessions of Nat Turner" and "Sophie's Choice." That is to say, when he wasn't sentimentalizing the "saintly" slave-owners of old Virginia and demonizing enslaved persons as hate-filled, axe-wielding maniacs, he was jeering at the Jews of Auschwitz and creating lurid fantasies about beautiful blondes being ravished by leering, sneering Brooklyn Jews.
Alexandra Styron maintains a prim silence about the more problematic aspects of her father's work. She ignores her father's crimes here, just the way she did in her memoir, "Reading My Father." And you could say, well, it's not her fault who her daddy was. It's not relevant. But it is! You see, most of this book is a hate-filled rant against Donald Trump. But Trump's lies are not really all that different from the lies that were her daddy's bread and butter.
For example. Everyone remembers the Charlottesville riot, and the young men chanting "Jews will not replace us." Very few people remember that the inciting incident was the proposed removal of a statue of Robert E. Lee. Well, Donald Trump was furious. He said Robert E. Lee was a hero and he wasn't going to let the Woke left turn the heroes of the Confederacy into villains. William Styron was saying that sort of thing all his life. From "Lie Down In Darkness" to "Sophie's Choice" he never shut up about the courage of the Confederate army, and the daring exploits of Jackson and Mosby, and he was always bellowing about "Quaker abolitionists" who insisted on depicting slaveowners as evil! Does Alexandra Styron really imagine we've all forgotten? Or is she cynically relying on the ignorance of her teenage audience?
To say that Donald Trump's Presidency is a "nightmare" is to ignore the real nightmare that slavery was for enslaved people in the South, particularly in Virginia. William Styron devoted all his energy and his life's work to finding excuses for the South, and to trivializing the crimes of his ancestors. They were "saintly," and slavery was a "cancer" that came upon them unjustly. All his life William Styron was an apologist for evil. But he wasn't alone. He helped to build the very same myth of the Lost Cause that Donald Trump was defending when he talked about preserving the good name of heroic Confederate generals and remembering the "good people on both sides!" (If you want to read a good book about this, check out "Robert E. Lee and Me" by Ty Seidule. In debunking Robert E. Lee he did the necessary work William Styron never had the nerve to attempt!)
But the real truth is more horrific still. Towards the end of this book, after loads of perky slogan shouting about this and that, Alexandra Styron makes a passing reference to Dylan Roof, the southern boy who shot up a Black church in Charleston, South Carolina. She doesn't ask why he did what he did. She doesn't mention his deep love for the Confederacy, carefully nurtured by the Lost Cause nostalgia of bloated, boozy, aging white men like Donald Trump . . . and her father. Nope. All that evil just came out of nowhere!
You know what? I think Alexandra Styron needs to really think about Dylan Roof. Because when he broke into that church and started shooting, he didn't see what you and I would see. His victims were mostly women, mostly elderly, and they were Black. But I'm willing to bet he didn't see them. Dylan Roof saw black monsters like the ones William Styron summoned up in The Confessions of Nat Turner. He saw the crazy slave Will, with his axe, and devious Preacher Nat, with his sword, and he saw lovely and innocent Miss Margaret Whitehead being ravished over and over.
In all the ways that really matter, Dylan Roof was William Styron's son. And Alexandra Styron needs to confront the crimes of her brother.
April 16, 2019
Highly disappointing but fine if you are looking for a non radical liberal perspective on life that is not critical of the Obama administration or capitalism and its impacts on the socioeconomic disparities of the US. Not to mention how capitalism is linked to climate change. I could go on but please ask your parents first. Yeah Trump sucks but it isn't like a return to Democratic rule is some kind of return to the good ole days. When were those anyway?
November 9, 2020
Not the worst commentary on activism and social justice from an assumedly cisgender, non-BIPOC. Covers a lot of topics on the surface level--just enough to get the gist of the issues. Some parts were a bit cringe, and I did roll my eyes a few times. However, there were a lot of voices brought in for each topic she addressed. She included a little how-to in the second half that could be helpful for budding SJW and activists. Overall, good allyship is presented here.
September 9, 2020
Well, yes, of course, this book's author is liberal and concerned about the current Presidential administration's actions, but as she indicates early on, the book was inspired by a similar book written during the era of the protests against the Vietnam War, a time when many individuals had their consciousness raised, were "woke" although it wasn't called that in those days, and then were moved to take action to change the status quo. While the author herself was motivated to write the book in part because of the recent Presidential election and the need for change, it is clear that this is an excellent primer about how to go about making changes in our country, no matter the issue or one's political affiliation. Not only does she provide background on several movements for change or hot button topics, including climate change, immigration, LGBTQIA rights, racial justice, women's rights, and intersectionality, all listed under the heading of "What," but then for each one, she proceeds to provide useful tips about getting involved. She also includes a brief history of protests, teen involvement, and for each one, she offers ideas for taking action in school and outside of school. There are also brief interviews with various individuals involved in causes. Budding activists will find much useful information here, and instead of wringing their hands helplessly, they can start to take actions that just might lead to change. Admittedly, the author had to give short shrift to certain topics such as the disabilities movement due to space. There's a whole history worth exploring there, leading me to wonder if she might consider writing a follow-up to this one. The contents are lively, modern, and inspiring. Like others, I wish this book had been available to me when I was a teen.
July 6, 2018
This book was interesting. However, I feel that the author was extremely biased. She was constantly saying things against our current president and conservative republicans. I think she could have reached a wider audience if she didn’t put her personal opinion in so often.
February 21, 2020
It's pretty decent as a crash course providing some definitions and statistics about a range of societal issues in the USA; if you already have an extensive amount of knowledge and/or want something with an assertively radical bent, this wouldn't be the best choice. This book leans more liberal/"progressive" rather than leftist - as an example, it praises the ACLU and has a lot of instructions on how to lobby your Congressional representatives and unironically uses the word "woke". It is written for a youth/teen audience, and at times author made some questionable choices like suggesting that you get your parent's permission before going to a protest (personally, I highly doubt my parents would ever knowingly let me to go do something with more than a very remote risk of arrest), and an interview with Lena Dunham right after a section about sexual assault. Yet at the same time it offers some useful tips like wearing glasses instead of contacts in case you get pepper sprayed, or using Signal and being careful about geotagging in the apps you use.
I appreciated the profiles and brief interviews of some POC activists, though, particularly Talib Kweli Greene, who said "What I have said in the past is not that I never vote, but that voting is not a requirement of an activist or a revolutionary. I have been critical of the two-party system, money in politics, and the electoral college for quite some time and I don't give my vote away to politicians who don't work for it. ...Voting in local elections is clearly more effective than [voting in] national ones. Communities voting as blocs is also an effective strategy, one that many black communities have not tried yet. But telling people their vote counts when it doesn't is dishonest." It's nice that a disabled activist, Alice Wong, is actually one of the people profiled since I find that many social justice spaces seem to omit mention of ableism or disability organizing. I would've liked to see some acknowledgment of sex workers though; there was a person interviewed who talked about sex trafficking, but she mentioned being "protected by the law" which could imply the idea that feminists ought to work with law enforcement for the sake of safety.
I appreciated the profiles and brief interviews of some POC activists, though, particularly Talib Kweli Greene, who said "What I have said in the past is not that I never vote, but that voting is not a requirement of an activist or a revolutionary. I have been critical of the two-party system, money in politics, and the electoral college for quite some time and I don't give my vote away to politicians who don't work for it. ...Voting in local elections is clearly more effective than [voting in] national ones. Communities voting as blocs is also an effective strategy, one that many black communities have not tried yet. But telling people their vote counts when it doesn't is dishonest." It's nice that a disabled activist, Alice Wong, is actually one of the people profiled since I find that many social justice spaces seem to omit mention of ableism or disability organizing. I would've liked to see some acknowledgment of sex workers though; there was a person interviewed who talked about sex trafficking, but she mentioned being "protected by the law" which could imply the idea that feminists ought to work with law enforcement for the sake of safety.
August 29, 2018
There's a glut of these in existence after Trump's election whether it be in the form of essays or handbooks but this isn't really a handbook, it's a collection of stories of resistance and persistence as a way to lead by the example of others-- which is a powerful force. How better to understand issues of Islamaphobia than to talk with people who run companies or nonprofits around it and/or have experienced it to tell their stories. This book is that kind of book and focuses on the major, hot button, hot topic issues from female rights to immigration.
It's uber contemporary but also overwhelming. Do you read it piecemeal, it's likely the best way based on the topics that interest you the most because as a whole as I've mentioned with others in this genre that I've been reading make me (an adult) feel like I'll never be good enough to fight for causes because there are so many, so I can only imagine a teenager (the intended audience) also finding this overwhelming.
It's organized fairly well with the stories interspersed and some narrative. Pages are colorful with plenty of photos of people being activists which is positive and uplifting, yet again, overwhelming to the average person. So, ultimately I think the title will get some press as it's a provocative one, but it's a collection of stories with the handbook added at the end of the chapters of what to do if you so choose.
It's uber contemporary but also overwhelming. Do you read it piecemeal, it's likely the best way based on the topics that interest you the most because as a whole as I've mentioned with others in this genre that I've been reading make me (an adult) feel like I'll never be good enough to fight for causes because there are so many, so I can only imagine a teenager (the intended audience) also finding this overwhelming.
It's organized fairly well with the stories interspersed and some narrative. Pages are colorful with plenty of photos of people being activists which is positive and uplifting, yet again, overwhelming to the average person. So, ultimately I think the title will get some press as it's a provocative one, but it's a collection of stories with the handbook added at the end of the chapters of what to do if you so choose.
March 20, 2019
Steal this Country by Alexandra Styron, 205 pages. NON-FICTION. Viking (Penguin Random House), 2018. $19.99
Language: PG (6 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG
BUYING ADVISORY: MS – ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Styron introduces six current political issues, focusing on those important to America though a few international issues are included. She explains each of those issues and couples them with personal experiences from young activists to show readers why their voice is important in this country.
While Styron has an obviously liberal political view, I love how she encourages young people to find an issue that they feel strongly about and take action—no matter what the issue is or they feel about it.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2019...
Language: PG (6 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG
BUYING ADVISORY: MS – ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Styron introduces six current political issues, focusing on those important to America though a few international issues are included. She explains each of those issues and couples them with personal experiences from young activists to show readers why their voice is important in this country.
While Styron has an obviously liberal political view, I love how she encourages young people to find an issue that they feel strongly about and take action—no matter what the issue is or they feel about it.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2019...
February 4, 2025
It is surprising how fast some things change. This book is written for teens in 2018. Writing to teens using their slang makes it hard for the book to maintain relevance even after a short amount of time. So many things are written directly in relation to the things that were happening at the time of publishing. Although the president is the same as it was when this book was originally published, the circumstances are sometimes very different. I feel like it could have been written in a way that didn't feel so dated in various ways.
I did really like the interviews with a very diverse group of individuals, especially when the author was speaking about marginalized groups they were not a part of. I liked the simple explanations about what terms meant and the history behind many different topics.
I did really like the interviews with a very diverse group of individuals, especially when the author was speaking about marginalized groups they were not a part of. I liked the simple explanations about what terms meant and the history behind many different topics.
December 19, 2018
Language: PG (6 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG
Styron introduces six current political issues, focusing on those important to America though a few international issues are included. She explains each of those issues and couples them with personal experiences from young activists to show readers why their voice is important in this country. While Styron has an obviously liberal political view, I love how she encourages young people to find an issue that they feel strongly about and take action—no matter what the issue is or they feel about it.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
Styron introduces six current political issues, focusing on those important to America though a few international issues are included. She explains each of those issues and couples them with personal experiences from young activists to show readers why their voice is important in this country. While Styron has an obviously liberal political view, I love how she encourages young people to find an issue that they feel strongly about and take action—no matter what the issue is or they feel about it.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
November 7, 2018
Steal This Country outlines the details surrounding some of the most important political issues of our time, and gives teens advice on how they can impact change. The text is easy to follow, the graphics are enticing, and the information is detailed and will appeal to teens. I'm a little apprehensive to include this in our collection because of it's obvious bias, but will be adding it when I find something a little more conservative to add also.
August 2, 2022
I bought this book for my stepdaughter, and after she read it, I gave it to my son. Reading this inspired passion and activism that silently beats in the heart of the young, springing to life when their eyes are opened, and they become more aware of what is going on in the world around them that doesn't sit well with their soul. Steal This Country did that for both of my children while creating more fire in me. We are activated. Thank you.
November 8, 2018
To be honest. This is a very liberal leaning book. It will not appeal to all readers. However I feel that all readers can be educated by it, to at least see another sides point of view. I will definitely put it in my library, but again I know it will not appeal to many.
September 18, 2020
This was a fine book for young adults looking for answers about social justice and activism.
It was just too age innapropriate and very much entry level into the topic that I couldn't finish it.
If you are a teen, or very new to activism, it would probably be a great book.
It was just too age innapropriate and very much entry level into the topic that I couldn't finish it.
If you are a teen, or very new to activism, it would probably be a great book.
January 3, 2019
Nice engaging history of protests and rebels, but from a very biased perspective.
October 28, 2020
Pure torture. Spoiler - every problem on the planet began Nov 2016 and will be solved when that bad man is gone.
November 30, 2020
Fairly good resource. This book is mostly aimed at teens or beginners and does it's job well in that arena.
December 23, 2022
No science or evidence just (white, liberal) vibes
August 2, 2024
Didn't realize this book was for 12 year olds. Great for them, not so much for adults.
September 19, 2018
If you’re looking for a good book for your budding teen activist, this is a great place to start.
Author Alexandra Styron has created this amazing primer on activism, what it is, how to go about it, what issues we’re facing, and although it’s aimed at teens, it has some excellent advice for anyone looking to make a bigger impact on social change.
Subtitled “a handbook for resistance, persistence, and fixing (almost) everything, the books takes a jack-of-all-trades approach to activism, giving a little information on a wide range of issues, rather than doing a deep dive on one particular issue.
The book is organized into four major sections: The Why, The Who, The What, and The How. They Why gives an overview as to what the impetus was for the book. The Who gives short bios on various activists throughout American history, starting with the Boston Tea Party and moving up through present day with the DAPL protests at Standing Rock. The What is probably the meatiest part of the book, going into detail on what exactly activism is and spotlighting six major issues activists are fighting for today. Finally, The How covers exactly what actions you can take to facilitate change both in your local community and on a national level.
The What was probably my favorite part of the book. I really enjoyed the way Styron weaves comics, helpful hints on interviews, and facts together to give comprehensive overviews of 6 major issues that activists face today: climate change, immigration, LGBTQIA+ rights, racial injustice, religious understanding, and women’s rights. Styron even includes information on intersectionality and its importance in activism.
The How is the beautiful and logical conclusion to this activists’ primer, with myriad ways in which readers can take all this newfound information and put it into practice: contacting members of congress (there’s a script!), types of protests to participate in, how to write petitions, etc. There is even information on how to talk to family members on these issues and how to keep your sensitive info private on social media while still using it as a tool for activism.
Readers who are hoping for a deeper dive into some of the issues mentioned will not be disappointed, as a list of books, documentaries, and organizations is included for those desiring future research.
All in all, I think this book will be an excellent addition to the TBR piles of anyone looking to take on activism rolls both big and small, loud and quiet.
Author Alexandra Styron has created this amazing primer on activism, what it is, how to go about it, what issues we’re facing, and although it’s aimed at teens, it has some excellent advice for anyone looking to make a bigger impact on social change.
Subtitled “a handbook for resistance, persistence, and fixing (almost) everything, the books takes a jack-of-all-trades approach to activism, giving a little information on a wide range of issues, rather than doing a deep dive on one particular issue.
The book is organized into four major sections: The Why, The Who, The What, and The How. They Why gives an overview as to what the impetus was for the book. The Who gives short bios on various activists throughout American history, starting with the Boston Tea Party and moving up through present day with the DAPL protests at Standing Rock. The What is probably the meatiest part of the book, going into detail on what exactly activism is and spotlighting six major issues activists are fighting for today. Finally, The How covers exactly what actions you can take to facilitate change both in your local community and on a national level.
The What was probably my favorite part of the book. I really enjoyed the way Styron weaves comics, helpful hints on interviews, and facts together to give comprehensive overviews of 6 major issues that activists face today: climate change, immigration, LGBTQIA+ rights, racial injustice, religious understanding, and women’s rights. Styron even includes information on intersectionality and its importance in activism.
The How is the beautiful and logical conclusion to this activists’ primer, with myriad ways in which readers can take all this newfound information and put it into practice: contacting members of congress (there’s a script!), types of protests to participate in, how to write petitions, etc. There is even information on how to talk to family members on these issues and how to keep your sensitive info private on social media while still using it as a tool for activism.
Readers who are hoping for a deeper dive into some of the issues mentioned will not be disappointed, as a list of books, documentaries, and organizations is included for those desiring future research.
All in all, I think this book will be an excellent addition to the TBR piles of anyone looking to take on activism rolls both big and small, loud and quiet.
October 9, 2018
Directed at middle to high school students, but a good overall view of the basics and backgrounds of social issues, with tips and resources for all kinds of civic engagement.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews