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How to Start a Revolution: Young People and the Future of American Politics
Teen Vogue award-winning columnist Lauren Duca shares a smart and funny guide for challenging the status quo in a much-needed reminder that young people are the ones who will change the world.
A columnist at Teen Vogue , Lauren Duca has become a fresh and authoritative voice on the experience of millennials in today’s society. In these pages she explores the post-Trump political awakening and lays the groundwork for a re-democratizing moment as it might be built out of the untapped potential of young people.
Duca investigates and explains the issues at the root of our ailing political system and reimagines what an equitable democracy would look like. It begins with young people getting involved. People like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the youngest woman ever to be elected to Congress; David and Lauren Hogg, two survivors of the Parkland, Florida shooting who went on to become advocates for gun control; Amanda Litman, who founded the nonprofit organization Run For Something, to assist progressive young people in down ballot elections; and many more.
Called “the millennial feminist warrior queen of social media” by Ariel Levy and “a national newsmaker” by The New York Times , Dan Rather agrees “we need fresh, intelligent, and creative voices—like Lauren’s—now as much—perhaps more—than ever before.” Here, Duca combines extensive research and first-person reporting to track her generation’s shift from political alienation to political participation. Throughout, she also draws on her own story as a young woman catapulted to the front lines of the political conversation (all while figuring out how to deal with her Trump-supporting parents).
A columnist at Teen Vogue , Lauren Duca has become a fresh and authoritative voice on the experience of millennials in today’s society. In these pages she explores the post-Trump political awakening and lays the groundwork for a re-democratizing moment as it might be built out of the untapped potential of young people.
Duca investigates and explains the issues at the root of our ailing political system and reimagines what an equitable democracy would look like. It begins with young people getting involved. People like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the youngest woman ever to be elected to Congress; David and Lauren Hogg, two survivors of the Parkland, Florida shooting who went on to become advocates for gun control; Amanda Litman, who founded the nonprofit organization Run For Something, to assist progressive young people in down ballot elections; and many more.
Called “the millennial feminist warrior queen of social media” by Ariel Levy and “a national newsmaker” by The New York Times , Dan Rather agrees “we need fresh, intelligent, and creative voices—like Lauren’s—now as much—perhaps more—than ever before.” Here, Duca combines extensive research and first-person reporting to track her generation’s shift from political alienation to political participation. Throughout, she also draws on her own story as a young woman catapulted to the front lines of the political conversation (all while figuring out how to deal with her Trump-supporting parents).
192 pages, Hardcover
First published September 24, 2019
31 people are currently reading
1411 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
November 9, 2019
An interesting and inspiring book with a focus on young people becoming more politically active after Trump’s 2016 election victory. The author became famous by writing how Trump was gaslighting America. What was fascinating is the strange electoral system designed purposely to disenfranchise people or discourage them to vote.
The political industrial complex is made for old white men in Bermuda shorts who must play golf. Happily change might be on the horizon with younger people realising if they do not get politically involved history will continue to repeat itself. Consequently, the status quo will remain and an oligarchy supported by corporations, billionaires and self centered egoists will continue to rule America.
Time will tell if the US political spectrum will change. There are also lessons for other countries in this book.
The political industrial complex is made for old white men in Bermuda shorts who must play golf. Happily change might be on the horizon with younger people realising if they do not get politically involved history will continue to repeat itself. Consequently, the status quo will remain and an oligarchy supported by corporations, billionaires and self centered egoists will continue to rule America.
Time will tell if the US political spectrum will change. There are also lessons for other countries in this book.
November 25, 2019
Thank you to Goodreads for my copy of this book! I am glad I had a chance to read it.
Lauren Duca is clearly a journalist. She does a good job of disseminating complex history and information to an audience that may be struggling to adjust to today’s political climate. But I don’t think her writing translates well to a book. This feels like just the beginning of a longer writing project; while it may provide an introduction to how young Americans can overcome their political alienation, I don’t believe this book has staying power.
The main problem is that How to Start a Revolution never goes deep enough into the issues it presents. While Duca is good at providing context for her information, she’s better at catching readers up to speed with past issues and movements than exploring what is currently being done. The book could have benefited with more information about young candidates running for office, how the Parkland survivors created the March For Our Lives movement for gun reform, and the past and current campaigns of the Harry Potter Alliance. I thought a manifesto for revolution would establish stronger guidelines based on those who have effectively done so.
A smaller (and more nitpicky) extension of this issue are the constant references to pop culture. We millennials love our media, and these references bring out some of Duca’s personality, but there’s still a right and wrong way to use a reference. It should always support your writing; a reference brings a deeper understanding for those who understand it, but the writing should stand without it. Duca tends to drop a reference and move on. This starts to feel like a shortcut to get to the larger points, which sells her argument short and is a disservice to her readers. Again, this may stem from the switch from journalism to writing a book. A subscribed audience and random readers on the internet will get your Harry Potter reference without further explanation. But a book needs longer staying power, and references will date your writing within a few years.
Like other reviewers, I disagree with Duca’s argument that politicians needs to make politics more enticing for younger/potential voters. I think this creates an unsustainable idea that voters need to be excited about their candidate, and contributes to cults of personality. Voters need to be committed to voting even when everyone sucks, and we need to remember that even the most #woke candidates are still human and will make decisions we don’t agree with. But overall I recognize that Duca and I are on the same side, and the personal elements of the book resonated with me.
This book has a very niche audience: otherwise privileged American citizens who were scared to their senses by the results of the 2016 election (which includes me); and young, overwhelmed voters looking to mobilize for the 2020 election and beyond. This book would make a good introduction to civic engagement, but don’t let it be the last word on the subject.
Lauren Duca is clearly a journalist. She does a good job of disseminating complex history and information to an audience that may be struggling to adjust to today’s political climate. But I don’t think her writing translates well to a book. This feels like just the beginning of a longer writing project; while it may provide an introduction to how young Americans can overcome their political alienation, I don’t believe this book has staying power.
The main problem is that How to Start a Revolution never goes deep enough into the issues it presents. While Duca is good at providing context for her information, she’s better at catching readers up to speed with past issues and movements than exploring what is currently being done. The book could have benefited with more information about young candidates running for office, how the Parkland survivors created the March For Our Lives movement for gun reform, and the past and current campaigns of the Harry Potter Alliance. I thought a manifesto for revolution would establish stronger guidelines based on those who have effectively done so.
A smaller (and more nitpicky) extension of this issue are the constant references to pop culture. We millennials love our media, and these references bring out some of Duca’s personality, but there’s still a right and wrong way to use a reference. It should always support your writing; a reference brings a deeper understanding for those who understand it, but the writing should stand without it. Duca tends to drop a reference and move on. This starts to feel like a shortcut to get to the larger points, which sells her argument short and is a disservice to her readers. Again, this may stem from the switch from journalism to writing a book. A subscribed audience and random readers on the internet will get your Harry Potter reference without further explanation. But a book needs longer staying power, and references will date your writing within a few years.
Like other reviewers, I disagree with Duca’s argument that politicians needs to make politics more enticing for younger/potential voters. I think this creates an unsustainable idea that voters need to be excited about their candidate, and contributes to cults of personality. Voters need to be committed to voting even when everyone sucks, and we need to remember that even the most #woke candidates are still human and will make decisions we don’t agree with. But overall I recognize that Duca and I are on the same side, and the personal elements of the book resonated with me.
This book has a very niche audience: otherwise privileged American citizens who were scared to their senses by the results of the 2016 election (which includes me); and young, overwhelmed voters looking to mobilize for the 2020 election and beyond. This book would make a good introduction to civic engagement, but don’t let it be the last word on the subject.
October 29, 2019
I'll grant that I'm not the target audience for this book, and perhaps that will affect the way I received it. I thought the first two chapters were a good call to arms against the too-common political apathy or hopelessness in our society. After that, however, I thought the book was a bit of a mess. Its tone was really inconsistent, veering from a seemingly serious attempt to analyze the barriers to political participation to pop culture references that felt like a sop to those who didn't really want to pay attention to the political message. Where Duca lost me, however, was her complaint that politicians don't make politics interesting enough for young people to care. This was an especially difficult pill to swallow as she simultaneously complained about pundits who write off millennials as apathetic or disinterested. If climate change is a big enough deal, then you can should be willing to work through some boring speeches from politicians or vapid CNN piece about the topic. It's not our politicians' jobs to make the topics interesting - the topics are important enough to matter whether or not we're being entertained while we engage in them.
September 10, 2019
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
4 ⭐️
Lauren Duca is a Millenial and, as such, has a bone to settle with the generations that came before. Like most Millenials, she feels cheated by those in power who act as if her generation - OUR generation - isn't important. I agree wholeheartedly with her, and think that this book is a new political bible for American Millenials and Gen Z.
If, like many young Americans, you didn't wake up until 2016 to realize that politics are going straight into a wall, this is a perfect starting point to change things around. As Duca mentions in the very beginning of her book, politics has always looked like football to most people:
But Millenials and Gen Z are changing things around, and Duca gives numerous examples of young people becoming involved in politics, whether by educating others or by running for different seats themselves.
With the typical sarcasm known to Millenials, Lauren Duca defines the Industrical-Political Complex and Gatekeeping, explores privilege and explains why old white men wearing boat shoes hold the keys to important offices. She also drags Carlson Tucker (and damn! that tea is HOT!) and other conservatively biased people who try to "own the libs" regularly - although the only thing they usually manage is to make themselves look like perfect idiots.
But don't think Duca is completely detached from the debate. Her parents are conservatives through and through, who voted for Trump without a second thought. Part of this book is about Duca's journey to try and educate her parents as to why not talking about politics is bad. Hint: her father does see the light eventually. She doesn't tell them to vote Democrat, but rather shows them how to evaluate and verify the credibility of their sources, and then form their own opinion from there.
This is why I qualify Duca's book as the new political bible. Not only does she take a feminist approach to politics and doesn't hesitate to drag those who would rather keep the status quo, she also gives incredibly good advice to those who seek to become better citizens and political activists. As she says "[w]e have to actively engage with the political questions that define our lives, debating policy, pressuring those who make the rules, and demanding a voice in the process, or our freedom is but an illusion." (p.35)
In the end, Lauren Duca is just another 20-something who likes politics and Ariana Grande's style equally. And while some gatekeepers would like to make us think those things are mutually exclusive and therefore cancel any relevance her opinion might have, let us not forget that those same people believe golf is a more respectable hobby than nail art - as if the latter wasn't objectively harder.
So, fellow young people, if you need a push in the back to start your own campaign or get involved, this is it. Live long and prosper, young padawans! (yes, I am aware those are from two different fandoms)
[Quote references are from the advance reading copy. Final editions might differ.]
4 ⭐️
Lauren Duca is a Millenial and, as such, has a bone to settle with the generations that came before. Like most Millenials, she feels cheated by those in power who act as if her generation - OUR generation - isn't important. I agree wholeheartedly with her, and think that this book is a new political bible for American Millenials and Gen Z.
If, like many young Americans, you didn't wake up until 2016 to realize that politics are going straight into a wall, this is a perfect starting point to change things around. As Duca mentions in the very beginning of her book, politics has always looked like football to most people:
"Every four years, everyone would gather around for the election, or as I came to understand it, "the big game."[...] Without intricate knowledge of the inner workings of the sport, you might watch along with half interest, mostly to see who was going to win. (Also, obviously, the men were always yelling louder than anyone else.)" (p.1)
But Millenials and Gen Z are changing things around, and Duca gives numerous examples of young people becoming involved in politics, whether by educating others or by running for different seats themselves.
With the typical sarcasm known to Millenials, Lauren Duca defines the Industrical-Political Complex and Gatekeeping, explores privilege and explains why old white men wearing boat shoes hold the keys to important offices. She also drags Carlson Tucker (and damn! that tea is HOT!) and other conservatively biased people who try to "own the libs" regularly - although the only thing they usually manage is to make themselves look like perfect idiots.
But don't think Duca is completely detached from the debate. Her parents are conservatives through and through, who voted for Trump without a second thought. Part of this book is about Duca's journey to try and educate her parents as to why not talking about politics is bad. Hint: her father does see the light eventually. She doesn't tell them to vote Democrat, but rather shows them how to evaluate and verify the credibility of their sources, and then form their own opinion from there.
This is why I qualify Duca's book as the new political bible. Not only does she take a feminist approach to politics and doesn't hesitate to drag those who would rather keep the status quo, she also gives incredibly good advice to those who seek to become better citizens and political activists. As she says "[w]e have to actively engage with the political questions that define our lives, debating policy, pressuring those who make the rules, and demanding a voice in the process, or our freedom is but an illusion." (p.35)
In the end, Lauren Duca is just another 20-something who likes politics and Ariana Grande's style equally. And while some gatekeepers would like to make us think those things are mutually exclusive and therefore cancel any relevance her opinion might have, let us not forget that those same people believe golf is a more respectable hobby than nail art - as if the latter wasn't objectively harder.
So, fellow young people, if you need a push in the back to start your own campaign or get involved, this is it. Live long and prosper, young padawans! (yes, I am aware those are from two different fandoms)
[Quote references are from the advance reading copy. Final editions might differ.]
September 1, 2024
This is a more narrative take than what I anticipated. I didn't love it and I didn't hate it. I liked that it wasn't super clinical where the content was easily digestible for everyone. I [unfortunately] feel unimpressed.
October 7, 2019
Hi yes I am going to be shoving this book into the hands of every other young woman I know. A perfect primer on civic engagement and political activism from one of my favorite journalists.
September 16, 2019
Amazing work that questions political norms and invigorates action, all while making the reader laugh along the way!
November 7, 2019
My political awakening happened four years ago, in the autumn of 2015. Before that, I voted democrat in every election, but I wasn't politically engaged. Like a lot of young(ish) people, I thought politics was too complicated for me. Even in 2005, when I was deployed to Iraq, politics didn't interest me... I was shot at; I ran from mortar attacks; and saw more dead bodies than I care to remember, but for whatever reason, it wasn't enough to wake me the fuck up.
But then, I saw Trump coming. I heard his divisive language; I read about his history of racism and sexism; and I saw him for what he is: a conman; a scam artist; a hack. Someone so morally bankrupt, I'm surprised his life didn't start off as a Trump business venture.
Since I graduated college, my life has been in a constant state of limbo; and with my newfound awakening, I knew I had to do something.
I volunteered for Bernie Sanders for the first time in October 2015, and despite how introverted I am, I collected signatures to get him on the upcoming primary ballot. I was bad at it. But it gave me a since of purpose that not even the military could provide for me.
In the spring of 2016, at the ripe old age of thirty-something, I applied to be an intern for the Democratic Party of Virginia, aka the Hillary Clinton campaign. I had hoped that it would lead to an organizing position. I learned very quickly, that I did not want to be an organizer. But for six months, I made hundreds of phone calls, knocked on doors, registered voters, trained volunteers, ran events, and entered data till my lap top died.
I met a lot of amazing people, people that continue to fight for this country everyday. People that one day I hope to vote for. For six months I worked my ass off for no money, but it was okay, because I knew it would be worth it. THE FIRST WOMAN PRESIDENT. It's about fucking time. But then she lost. Not because more people voted for her opponent, but because of an archaic voting system created by Alexander Hamilton. [Side note: Hamilton (the musical) was my soundtrack for the 2016 election].
It was heartbreaking. Myself, and all of the other organizers sat in stunned silence as we tried to process what happened. Now what? What happens to women's rights? Marriage equality? Climate change? Trump ran an entire campaign on demonizing people of color and people from other countries. Will they be safe from deportation or violence? (No).
Since 2016, I've been involved with every election we've had in Virginia. Two days ago, Virginia flipped the House and the Senate, and I'm proud to say that not only did I enter a lot of data, but I also trained people. And as long as I have the time and the resources to give to these elections, I'm going to continue to do it.
I've often said that the best thing Trump has ever done is piss off women. Lauren Duca is pissed off, and she has every right to be. How To Start A Revolution will teach people how to redirect their anger. You're never too young to give a damn. You're never too young to learn how your country works; and you're never too young to change it for the better.
Millennials and centennials are some of the most compassionate, and open minded people I've ever met, and with a book like How To Start A Revolution, they could, in essence, start a revolution.
P.S. Thank you to Maria for sending me Lauren’s book. Your act of kindness means a lot to me.
But then, I saw Trump coming. I heard his divisive language; I read about his history of racism and sexism; and I saw him for what he is: a conman; a scam artist; a hack. Someone so morally bankrupt, I'm surprised his life didn't start off as a Trump business venture.
Since I graduated college, my life has been in a constant state of limbo; and with my newfound awakening, I knew I had to do something.
I volunteered for Bernie Sanders for the first time in October 2015, and despite how introverted I am, I collected signatures to get him on the upcoming primary ballot. I was bad at it. But it gave me a since of purpose that not even the military could provide for me.
In the spring of 2016, at the ripe old age of thirty-something, I applied to be an intern for the Democratic Party of Virginia, aka the Hillary Clinton campaign. I had hoped that it would lead to an organizing position. I learned very quickly, that I did not want to be an organizer. But for six months, I made hundreds of phone calls, knocked on doors, registered voters, trained volunteers, ran events, and entered data till my lap top died.
I met a lot of amazing people, people that continue to fight for this country everyday. People that one day I hope to vote for. For six months I worked my ass off for no money, but it was okay, because I knew it would be worth it. THE FIRST WOMAN PRESIDENT. It's about fucking time. But then she lost. Not because more people voted for her opponent, but because of an archaic voting system created by Alexander Hamilton. [Side note: Hamilton (the musical) was my soundtrack for the 2016 election].
It was heartbreaking. Myself, and all of the other organizers sat in stunned silence as we tried to process what happened. Now what? What happens to women's rights? Marriage equality? Climate change? Trump ran an entire campaign on demonizing people of color and people from other countries. Will they be safe from deportation or violence? (No).
Since 2016, I've been involved with every election we've had in Virginia. Two days ago, Virginia flipped the House and the Senate, and I'm proud to say that not only did I enter a lot of data, but I also trained people. And as long as I have the time and the resources to give to these elections, I'm going to continue to do it.
I've often said that the best thing Trump has ever done is piss off women. Lauren Duca is pissed off, and she has every right to be. How To Start A Revolution will teach people how to redirect their anger. You're never too young to give a damn. You're never too young to learn how your country works; and you're never too young to change it for the better.
Millennials and centennials are some of the most compassionate, and open minded people I've ever met, and with a book like How To Start A Revolution, they could, in essence, start a revolution.
P.S. Thank you to Maria for sending me Lauren’s book. Your act of kindness means a lot to me.
December 11, 2019
I consider myself a pretty left learning, and progressive person. However, to have freedom you need to understand that to have the privilege of freedom for yourself (and people of like mind), you need to accept that people that don’t share your mindset, get that privilege as well...
Freedom of Speech is the biggest example of this.
I agree with Bill Maher completely about this. I might 100% disagree with Milo Y about his rhetoric, but it’s his right to express it, as long as it won’t create physical harm on to anyone.
The same goes for Lauren Ducca.
There was a lot in this book I agreed with. I share a lot of the same opinions as her, but this book was just an op-ed. She did not cite any of her sources.
There was no bibliography... Wikipedia has more sources cited than this does.
If you are going to write a book called “How to start a revolution”, you should really back your opinions with solid facts. Don’t assume that people are going to read your book then decide to run for office. You need to give them hard tools to get the ball rolling, not a sentence on page 123 in passing.
Lauren Ducca is a strong voice for the young generation to want to make things better. Making things better, needs to be done with understanding what our freedoms entail, not what freedoms you want for yourself.
Freedom of Speech is the biggest example of this.
I agree with Bill Maher completely about this. I might 100% disagree with Milo Y about his rhetoric, but it’s his right to express it, as long as it won’t create physical harm on to anyone.
The same goes for Lauren Ducca.
There was a lot in this book I agreed with. I share a lot of the same opinions as her, but this book was just an op-ed. She did not cite any of her sources.
There was no bibliography... Wikipedia has more sources cited than this does.
If you are going to write a book called “How to start a revolution”, you should really back your opinions with solid facts. Don’t assume that people are going to read your book then decide to run for office. You need to give them hard tools to get the ball rolling, not a sentence on page 123 in passing.
Lauren Ducca is a strong voice for the young generation to want to make things better. Making things better, needs to be done with understanding what our freedoms entail, not what freedoms you want for yourself.
December 1, 2024
FIRST READING (2019): I'm a civics teacher who tells himself KIDS WILL SAVE US ALL every day before I walk into my classroom but, on some days, my belief wanes by dismissal. Lauren Duca’s HOW TO START A REVOLUTION helped remind and reenergize me to keep pushing political participation.
SECOND READING (2024): I still love HOW TO START A REVOLUTION. But the book was released during Donald Trump’s first presidency and, since he’s won a second election recently, I can’t, in good conscience, give this book a 5/5*. I thought the book was super persuasive, but apparently not enough people were as convinced as me. Sadly, there was no revolution. 😢
*4/5 (Really a 4.5, but that’s not an option.)**
** Argh. Those ratings look too much like 45. 🤮
SECOND READING (2024): I still love HOW TO START A REVOLUTION. But the book was released during Donald Trump’s first presidency and, since he’s won a second election recently, I can’t, in good conscience, give this book a 5/5*. I thought the book was super persuasive, but apparently not enough people were as convinced as me. Sadly, there was no revolution. 😢
*4/5 (Really a 4.5, but that’s not an option.)**
** Argh. Those ratings look too much like 45. 🤮
March 23, 2023
Not a lot of incentive to keep reading for me but i think this book is a good jumping off point if you’re starting to get into politics and it helps lay out some basic concepts in a digestible manner
did-not-finish
January 16, 2020Abandoning. I’m not the right audience for the information (most of it is fairly basic/obvious), and it’s not written well enough that it’s interesting/entertaining to me.
November 12, 2019
I was first introduced to Lauren Duca after her very uncomfortable interview on the Tucker Carlson show. I was impressed by her unwillingness to be rattled and how effectively she communicated her views despite being talked over and having her words intentionally misinterpreted by Tucker.
How to Start A Revolution tells the story of Lauren's relationship with her conservative parents, while also reflecting on our country's current political awakening. She introduces concepts such as the Political Industrial Complex, Political Alienation and practicing good citizenship (something we're not taught in school).
In How to Start A Revolution, Duca lays the cards out to help the reader understand the current political power structure and the importance of being politically informed engaged citizens, so we can start having those hard conversations with friends/family and begin working together again to show politicians we will no longer accept partisan stalemates. This book serves as both an introduction and reminder that the government is supposed to work for everyone, not just the wealthy elite. Lauren notes that its time to take action and encourages young people to be the change they want to see.
I borrowed the How to Start A Revolution audiobook from the library. It was read by the author which further allowed her honesty and urgency to come through.
Fans of Harry Potter will appreciate the HP references and then some.
How to Start A Revolution tells the story of Lauren's relationship with her conservative parents, while also reflecting on our country's current political awakening. She introduces concepts such as the Political Industrial Complex, Political Alienation and practicing good citizenship (something we're not taught in school).
In How to Start A Revolution, Duca lays the cards out to help the reader understand the current political power structure and the importance of being politically informed engaged citizens, so we can start having those hard conversations with friends/family and begin working together again to show politicians we will no longer accept partisan stalemates. This book serves as both an introduction and reminder that the government is supposed to work for everyone, not just the wealthy elite. Lauren notes that its time to take action and encourages young people to be the change they want to see.
I borrowed the How to Start A Revolution audiobook from the library. It was read by the author which further allowed her honesty and urgency to come through.
Fans of Harry Potter will appreciate the HP references and then some.
September 24, 2019
Endtablebookreview of How to Start a Revolution
What an insight. I want to lead with how beneficial a book like this is for teens, young adults and probably 20 and 30 somethings. Knowledge is Power. What this book aims at more than anything really is arming people, youth particularly with information on how they can affect* political change (*someone check my usage of affect over effect, please?)
I have enjoyed following Lauren on social media and was not even aware until some point a few weeks ago she was writing a book. Well, she was nice enough to get one to me and I am so happy to share it and tell you to go buy it TODAY! It is out and available. Reading this makes me want to write or inspire someone to write something for kids even younger. It seems like that is the best place to start? But obviously as unbiased and face based as possible. I am sure some kids out there are definitely getting ear fulls of political one sidedness no matter red or blue. But damn... I have an 11 year old nephew that could benefit from this knowledge. This book might just be a bit over his head. Anyway... loved reading this.
5 out of 5 beers🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺 And yes that is handcrafted beard oil featured in this photo.
What an insight. I want to lead with how beneficial a book like this is for teens, young adults and probably 20 and 30 somethings. Knowledge is Power. What this book aims at more than anything really is arming people, youth particularly with information on how they can affect* political change (*someone check my usage of affect over effect, please?)
I have enjoyed following Lauren on social media and was not even aware until some point a few weeks ago she was writing a book. Well, she was nice enough to get one to me and I am so happy to share it and tell you to go buy it TODAY! It is out and available. Reading this makes me want to write or inspire someone to write something for kids even younger. It seems like that is the best place to start? But obviously as unbiased and face based as possible. I am sure some kids out there are definitely getting ear fulls of political one sidedness no matter red or blue. But damn... I have an 11 year old nephew that could benefit from this knowledge. This book might just be a bit over his head. Anyway... loved reading this.
5 out of 5 beers🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺 And yes that is handcrafted beard oil featured in this photo.
March 12, 2020
Lauren Duca did a great job explaining to young readers why the participation in the political processes of our democracy are essential for the survival of the Republic. She also explains the apparent disinterest of Millennial and GenZ to Boomers and GenX like me. This book should be used in high school to educate the young generation on how politics works (the current curriculum is BS) and why it is so important to stay informed, have an opinion, discuss politics, and contribute to our democracy by running for office - local, country, state, and nation.
I recommended this book to my 15 year old daughter, who is politically interested and has an opinion, because it will show her that she does not have to wait to get involved until she is 18. She can cause change right now! I learned a similar lesson at the age of 19, when I tried to make sense of the events leading up to the Fall of the Berlin Wall. Our power is unimaginable indeed, if we participate.
I recommend this book to young readers and to older readers who are jaded about politics and/or make fun of Millennials.
I recommended this book to my 15 year old daughter, who is politically interested and has an opinion, because it will show her that she does not have to wait to get involved until she is 18. She can cause change right now! I learned a similar lesson at the age of 19, when I tried to make sense of the events leading up to the Fall of the Berlin Wall. Our power is unimaginable indeed, if we participate.
I recommend this book to young readers and to older readers who are jaded about politics and/or make fun of Millennials.
August 20, 2020
I like reading about people in my age demographic being activists and finding their voice. Many Millennials struggle with standing up for themselves, and recognizing that they have a voice, or thinking they're not worthy of attention or acclaim or even being listened to. This book was a reassuring and empowering read to remember many enraging events of the last few years and remembering how I felt when they happened, and taking that rage and frustration and channeling it into something ACTIVE that can produce change.
I appreciate the overreaching arc of the author discussing her relationship with her conservative-leaning parents, and the struggles they encountered being able to interact with each other and discuss politics in a level-headed way, and both learning new strategies for being able to do that in our extremely heated political environment. She ends with concrete steps to young people of how they can prep themselves to be more involved politically and stand up for themselves as needed.
I recommend this book to anyone who doesn't know where to begin with getting better informed and knowing what next steps they can take.
I appreciate the overreaching arc of the author discussing her relationship with her conservative-leaning parents, and the struggles they encountered being able to interact with each other and discuss politics in a level-headed way, and both learning new strategies for being able to do that in our extremely heated political environment. She ends with concrete steps to young people of how they can prep themselves to be more involved politically and stand up for themselves as needed.
I recommend this book to anyone who doesn't know where to begin with getting better informed and knowing what next steps they can take.
November 8, 2019
I'm not one of those people who enjoys underlining inspiring/meaningful passages in a book but oh wow, was I tempted to here!
Full disclosure, I am an old. While born at the tail end of Gen X, I find myself often exhibiting trademark Millennial behavior, likely because I grew up overseas and am unafraid of technology. Regardless, I haven't been a young person for at least a year, depending on one's interpretation of youth (which, in some organizations, goes up to 40, a fact which once blew my much younger mind.) So this book probably shouldn't speak to me as much as it does, but it does.
In 2016, I finally became an American citizen after years of hemming and hawing, because I wanted to be able to say I'd voted for Hillary Clinton against what, to me, was a blatantly obvious example of creeping authoritarianism. On the one hand, I thought, "This is America. We don't vote for strong men espousing banana republic policies. We're too smart for that." But having grown up in a paternalistic regime, I wasn't dumb enough or comfortable enough in my immigrant status to count on other people doing the right thing when I could be doing the right thing. I donated to Hill's campaign, put up posters and voted. Watching the election results as they came in three years ago was like viewing a slowly unfolding horror movie: by the time the Pennsylvania results rolled in, I could only mutter, "Thanks for nothing, Pennsylvania" and go to bed, hoping for a miracle.
There was no miracle forthcoming, alas, and I spent that morning crying my eyes out. Even living in my progressive Maryland suburb, with neighbors I love and feel safe around (except for that one couple: fuck those douchebags,) I had never felt more afraid to be a female Asian Muslim immigrant. Weirdly, it took seeing the raw grief of a straight white male friend to finally comfort me. Not that misery loves company -- I had plenty of that from other friends who felt freshly vulnerable for being a member of a minority -- but because it felt like we had allies, that not all of majority America was complicit in the rejection of those of us who weren't part of a white evangelical monoculture. "But what," I thought, as I recovered from my downward spiral of emotion, "can I do next?" I upped my charitable donations, subscribed to quality journalism (I'm still sad Teen Vogue was forced to go from print to digital -- guess I'm not that much of a millennial after all,) voted in the midterms, and made my voice heard to both my elected representatives and to politicians of note. There's nothing more nerve-wracking to me as a quasi-millennial than to call a number in order to log my objections: I sat in my bathroom rehearsing the speech I'd written on my tablet before calling and, blessedly tho perhaps less effectively, speaking to voicemail. And still this president and his cronies are in office, squeezing as much personal gain out of their positions and our nation's coffers as they can. "Am I not doing enough?" is one question I often ask myself. Another is, "but what else can I realistically do?" I have a job, three small kids and an attachment to 8 hours of sleep a night, and I'm still exhausted half the time.
And that's where this terrific manual comes in. How To Start A Revolution begins with a snapshot of that galvanizing time around the 2016 election when young people especially realized that politics could not be impenetrable if a failed businessman turned reality TV star spouting phrases deeply antithetical to American values could become President. It captures the rage and helplessness that permeated large swathes of the country as majority opinion was defeated by what Lauren Duca cleverly terms the "political-industrial complex". It addresses the reasons that allowed this state of affairs to come to pass, but then showcases examples of how young people are fighting back. And then, most importantly, it tells readers what we can do to help.
It's a really simple three-step process, that I'll share here on the assumption that Ms Duca won't mind: Learn. Decide. Act. She enjoins us to educate ourselves on the issues, reading a balanced variety of accounts from reputable sources. She wants us to make informed opinions on the issues, and then do what we can to put our beliefs into action. This last can be as simple as not staying quiet when someone we know spouts a political talking point we know to be bullshit. It's about showing up and being heard, in any of the many small ways that we as citizens in a democracy must help to maintain the civic health of our government and community. Not all of us can run for office or spearhead a campaign -- hell, not all of us can even actively volunteer or donate! -- but we can all do what we can, to learn, to decide and to act on our beliefs. None of us are perfect, but we can all help to keep perfecting this grand American experiment in freedom and democracy.
Ms Duca's book has been an eye-opener both for how we got here and for what we can do next. Written in a highly accessible style, it's the perfect manual for anyone, young person or otherwise, who wants to change American politics for the better. For being less than 200 pages, it's a surprisingly dense read, and one I highly recommend to anyone who cares about the future of our country.
I'm planning on conducting a Q&A with Ms Duca in the near future regarding this book, so I'll keep you posted on how that goes. It'll be a bit of a departure from my usual author interview over at TheFrumiousConsortium.net; as such, I'm soliciting questions you might like to see answered! Comment here or contact me personally: you know the drill.
Full disclosure, I am an old. While born at the tail end of Gen X, I find myself often exhibiting trademark Millennial behavior, likely because I grew up overseas and am unafraid of technology. Regardless, I haven't been a young person for at least a year, depending on one's interpretation of youth (which, in some organizations, goes up to 40, a fact which once blew my much younger mind.) So this book probably shouldn't speak to me as much as it does, but it does.
In 2016, I finally became an American citizen after years of hemming and hawing, because I wanted to be able to say I'd voted for Hillary Clinton against what, to me, was a blatantly obvious example of creeping authoritarianism. On the one hand, I thought, "This is America. We don't vote for strong men espousing banana republic policies. We're too smart for that." But having grown up in a paternalistic regime, I wasn't dumb enough or comfortable enough in my immigrant status to count on other people doing the right thing when I could be doing the right thing. I donated to Hill's campaign, put up posters and voted. Watching the election results as they came in three years ago was like viewing a slowly unfolding horror movie: by the time the Pennsylvania results rolled in, I could only mutter, "Thanks for nothing, Pennsylvania" and go to bed, hoping for a miracle.
There was no miracle forthcoming, alas, and I spent that morning crying my eyes out. Even living in my progressive Maryland suburb, with neighbors I love and feel safe around (except for that one couple: fuck those douchebags,) I had never felt more afraid to be a female Asian Muslim immigrant. Weirdly, it took seeing the raw grief of a straight white male friend to finally comfort me. Not that misery loves company -- I had plenty of that from other friends who felt freshly vulnerable for being a member of a minority -- but because it felt like we had allies, that not all of majority America was complicit in the rejection of those of us who weren't part of a white evangelical monoculture. "But what," I thought, as I recovered from my downward spiral of emotion, "can I do next?" I upped my charitable donations, subscribed to quality journalism (I'm still sad Teen Vogue was forced to go from print to digital -- guess I'm not that much of a millennial after all,) voted in the midterms, and made my voice heard to both my elected representatives and to politicians of note. There's nothing more nerve-wracking to me as a quasi-millennial than to call a number in order to log my objections: I sat in my bathroom rehearsing the speech I'd written on my tablet before calling and, blessedly tho perhaps less effectively, speaking to voicemail. And still this president and his cronies are in office, squeezing as much personal gain out of their positions and our nation's coffers as they can. "Am I not doing enough?" is one question I often ask myself. Another is, "but what else can I realistically do?" I have a job, three small kids and an attachment to 8 hours of sleep a night, and I'm still exhausted half the time.
And that's where this terrific manual comes in. How To Start A Revolution begins with a snapshot of that galvanizing time around the 2016 election when young people especially realized that politics could not be impenetrable if a failed businessman turned reality TV star spouting phrases deeply antithetical to American values could become President. It captures the rage and helplessness that permeated large swathes of the country as majority opinion was defeated by what Lauren Duca cleverly terms the "political-industrial complex". It addresses the reasons that allowed this state of affairs to come to pass, but then showcases examples of how young people are fighting back. And then, most importantly, it tells readers what we can do to help.
It's a really simple three-step process, that I'll share here on the assumption that Ms Duca won't mind: Learn. Decide. Act. She enjoins us to educate ourselves on the issues, reading a balanced variety of accounts from reputable sources. She wants us to make informed opinions on the issues, and then do what we can to put our beliefs into action. This last can be as simple as not staying quiet when someone we know spouts a political talking point we know to be bullshit. It's about showing up and being heard, in any of the many small ways that we as citizens in a democracy must help to maintain the civic health of our government and community. Not all of us can run for office or spearhead a campaign -- hell, not all of us can even actively volunteer or donate! -- but we can all do what we can, to learn, to decide and to act on our beliefs. None of us are perfect, but we can all help to keep perfecting this grand American experiment in freedom and democracy.
Ms Duca's book has been an eye-opener both for how we got here and for what we can do next. Written in a highly accessible style, it's the perfect manual for anyone, young person or otherwise, who wants to change American politics for the better. For being less than 200 pages, it's a surprisingly dense read, and one I highly recommend to anyone who cares about the future of our country.
I'm planning on conducting a Q&A with Ms Duca in the near future regarding this book, so I'll keep you posted on how that goes. It'll be a bit of a departure from my usual author interview over at TheFrumiousConsortium.net; as such, I'm soliciting questions you might like to see answered! Comment here or contact me personally: you know the drill.
January 25, 2020
Given the controversy around the author (I know she’s not the best person at all....) and also just the hype around the book, I wasn’t sure if it would be fluff and not really substantial. I was so pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book, and also how directive it was. She gave such concrete advice about HOW to get politically active, and what things you can do in your life that are actually doable and resonant. She definitely is in touch with young people and what we all want and need. The thesis and through line was so clear throughout and I really liked her language. I loved the parts were she talked about her parents and would’ve loved to have seen even more of that. Overall, really enjoyed this read and feel super inspired.
February 29, 2020
A great jumping off place for young people who feel frustrated by the current political landscape and chafed by mysterious gatekeepers insisting "that's just the way it is".
'We the People' isn't just a phrase -- it's a truth we take for granted, a symbol for the United States. This is why it's helpful in times of frustration to remember that "we the people" make the rules and it's imperative that we hold all in positions of power accountable to the people they represent, regardless of either's political party.
"The genius of the United States has been it's growth capacity." - Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Seek knowledge and truth and use it to speak to power.
'We the People' isn't just a phrase -- it's a truth we take for granted, a symbol for the United States. This is why it's helpful in times of frustration to remember that "we the people" make the rules and it's imperative that we hold all in positions of power accountable to the people they represent, regardless of either's political party.
"The genius of the United States has been it's growth capacity." - Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Seek knowledge and truth and use it to speak to power.
February 26, 2022
"Young women like a bunch of dumb shit, and so does everyone else. Why is it that nail art is supposedly a less respectable hobby than golf? Nail art is objectively harder than golf."
Lauren is one of my writing inspirations in the industry (came across her work through her mega-viral essay Donald Trump Is Gaslighting America" published on Teen Vogue and her ICONIC "sexist pig" comment on Tucker Carlson lol). To point the obvious, her story hits close to home but I honestly think cultural context could've been more fleshed out. The shift from journ to book writing certainly showed on this work (prolly why my ~magazine brain~ indulged the heck out of her reporting.)
Lauren is one of my writing inspirations in the industry (came across her work through her mega-viral essay Donald Trump Is Gaslighting America" published on Teen Vogue and her ICONIC "sexist pig" comment on Tucker Carlson lol). To point the obvious, her story hits close to home but I honestly think cultural context could've been more fleshed out. The shift from journ to book writing certainly showed on this work (prolly why my ~magazine brain~ indulged the heck out of her reporting.)
July 15, 2022
This is a great entry book for those curious about our political system and the base layer of corruption it operates off of. Overall, it’s a good read but I’m disappointed that it did not dive into the deeper layers of our political industrial complex, as well as the roles that capitalism and miseducation play within said complex. I also would’ve liked to have seen discussion surrounding rural organizing and activism. Again, this is a great read for those who are waiting a basic understanding of our system and I do recommend it!
September 28, 2019
4!! Only because I just finished reading two other doozies of a book (?) today and I feel hungover from that lol
This was very relatable, insightful and I learned a lot. I liked how she broke it all down into easily digestible pieces - creating change can sometimes seem so massive that we are afraid to make any moves, but this book is a great starting point. My only real complaint about this book is that I was expecting it to be longer, but I still enjoyed it.
This was very relatable, insightful and I learned a lot. I liked how she broke it all down into easily digestible pieces - creating change can sometimes seem so massive that we are afraid to make any moves, but this book is a great starting point. My only real complaint about this book is that I was expecting it to be longer, but I still enjoyed it.
August 7, 2021
Marxist nonsense - from one of the many agents of chaos. Having come from a post-communist country, it puzzles me why the West keeps flirting with socialism. For some reason however, previous aspirations have all ended in Gulags somehow. It might be that its not a case of people having tried to achieve it the wrong way.., it could just simply be that Marxism is hard coded against manifesting in anything else other than Gulags.
February 7, 2022
Me: Local politics were a thing before 2016! On the other hand, I think the analysis is mostly correct about "bizarre secret rules" and that democracy is a habit, not something you only engage with in presidential election years. My general feels come from being a political person since forever and being 10-ish years older than Lauren Duca so my "awakening" was the 2000 election. So I was not the audience but found some value in this.
July 8, 2022
Lauren Duca's writing is equal parts hilarious and compelling: her personable writing style makes for an informative and entertaining read. Her emotional call-to-action truly highlights the importance of civic engagement and gives us easy ways to get involved in our democracy. At the end of this book, if you don't feel restless enough to start engaging in political causes you believe in, you're not paying attention.
September 25, 2019
Y'all ever notice whenever the kids decide to have a revolution it always leads to oppression, death and destruction? Here's an idea: let's listen to elders. People who have experienced life under different political systems and circumstances, and who aren't learning on the job, indoctrinated or out to experiment with an idea they just heard about. Now that's a change I can believe in.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2019
Phenomenal
I loved this book. It holds the American citizens accountable of becoming an active citizen beyond that which we are taught (or not). I picked this book because I follow her in twitter & have been a fan of her work. She kept it factual & straightforward in this book. It’s a must-read for all citizens.
I loved this book. It holds the American citizens accountable of becoming an active citizen beyond that which we are taught (or not). I picked this book because I follow her in twitter & have been a fan of her work. She kept it factual & straightforward in this book. It’s a must-read for all citizens.
January 4, 2020
The purpose of the political conversation is to work toward the goal of achieving the best possible future together.
Young women like a bunch of dumb shit, and so does everyone else. Why is it that nail art is supposedly a less respectable hobby than golf? Nail art is objectively harder than golf.
Equality is not radical; it's essential to any legitimate democratic state.
Young women like a bunch of dumb shit, and so does everyone else. Why is it that nail art is supposedly a less respectable hobby than golf? Nail art is objectively harder than golf.
Equality is not radical; it's essential to any legitimate democratic state.
February 24, 2020
Lauren Duca is a treasure and queen.
In the Age of Trump, with an election year already going crazy, while pundits and Twitter trolls continue their games of shouting to silence all voices that don't perfectly echo their own, Lauren Duca is here and she has written a guide to help you keep your sanity.
In the Age of Trump, with an election year already going crazy, while pundits and Twitter trolls continue their games of shouting to silence all voices that don't perfectly echo their own, Lauren Duca is here and she has written a guide to help you keep your sanity.
March 22, 2020
I received a copy of this book as a Goodreads Giveaway. Although I don’t agree with some of her opinions in the book, I think she has a strong message for youth and political engagement. Her message can be applied to all generations, though. I think her book is thought provoking and well worth reading.
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