Rad American History A-Z: Movements That Demonstrate the Power of the People

by Kate Schatz, Miriam Klein Stahl (Illustrations)

From the New York Times bestselling team behind Rad American Women A-Z comes an illustrated collection of radical and transformative political, social, and cultural movements in American history.

In Rad American History A-Z, each letter of the alphabet tells the story of a significant moment in America's progressive history--one that isn't always covered in history classes: A is for Alcatraz, and the Native occupation of 1969; C is for the Combahee River Raid, a Civil War action planned in part by Union spy Harriet Tubman; Z is for Zuccotti Park, and the Occupy movement that briefly took over the world.

Paired with dynamic paper-cut art by Miriam Klein Stahl, the entries by Kate Schatz explore several centuries of politics, culture, art, activism, and liberation, including radical librarians, Supreme Court cases, courageous youth, punk rocker grrrls, Southern quilts, and modern witches. In addition to the twenty-six core stories, short sidebars expand the discussion, and dictionary-style lists refer readers to additional key moments. So while F is for Federal Theater Project, a New Deal-era program that employed thousands of artists, F is also for Freedom Rides and First Amendment. E is for Earth First!, but also for Endangered Species Act and Equal Rights Amendment.

There are tales of triumph, resilience, creation, and hope. Each engaging, fact-filled narrative illustrates an eye-opening moment that shows us how we got to now--and what we need to know about our histories to create a just and sustainable future.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Politics, American History, Activism, Graphic Novels, Biography

172 pages, Hardcover

Published March 3, 2020

About the author

Kate Schatz (pronounced ‘Shots’) is a queer feminist writer, activist, educator, and public speaker. She is the New York Times bestselling author of the "Rad Women" book series, including Rad American Women A-Z (City Lights, 2015), Rad Women Worldwide (Ten Speed Press, 2016), Rad Girls Can (Ten Speed Press, 2018), and Rad American History A-Z (Ten Speed Press, 2020), as well as "Do the Work: An Antiracist Activity Book" co-written with W. Kamau Bell (Workman, 2022). Her novel Where The Girls Were is out on Dial Press in March 2026. Her book of fiction, Rid of Me: A Story, was published in 2006 as part of the acclaimed 33 1/3 series. Her writing has been published in Oxford American, Denver Quarterly, Joyland, and West Branch, among others, and her short story “Folsom, Survivor” was included as a “Notable Short Story” in Best American Short Stories 2011. She has appeared on msnbc, NPR, and Conan O'Brien, among other major media outlets. She received her MFA in Fiction from Brown University, and a double BA in Women’s Studies/Creative Writing from UC Santa Cruz. She lives with her wife and children in the Bay Area.

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Karen Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inviting approach to a history lesson. This book is visually appealing and focuses on lesser known movements bin history.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe 4.5? This was our main history text for the year, and overall, I really liked it. I'm not necessarily a history buff, but I am a fairly well-educated person, and there were tons of people and events in here that I wasn't familiar with, which was cool. Half-star reduction because some of the chapters were a little too white feminist; in "D is for Declaration of Sentiments," for example, the author is clearly kind of idolizing Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and doesn't really call out her horrendous racism. Thankfully, the curriculum we were using in conjunction with this text (Mint & Bloom's Power of the People, if anyone is interested) did call this (and a few other issues) out, which is one of the many reasons I love this curriculum. I already knew about Elizabeth Cady Stanton's racism (though, actually, not the full extent of it: Mint & Bloom introduced me to some truly disturbing direct quotes), but if I hadn't, I would have left that chapter missing a key and oft overlooked piece of the puzzle, which makes me wonder what other chapters have some whitewashing going on.

All that said, again, overall, I really liked this book and thought it was a wonderful introduction to some lesser known aspects of American history and led to some great discussions.

[Bryce Rushmeyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I consider myself a fairly educated person and there were a ton of people, causes, and events covered in this book that I never learned in a history class-high school or college.

I enjoyed it so much I bought a copy to have in my classroom so I can bring up some of these topics and introduce them to my students, as I think some of them are absolutely incredible.

The only reason I gave it 4/5 (would actually give 4.5 if possible) is because some of the letters seemed to have some significant overlap-but that is absolutely me just being stingy with my 5 star reviews. Highly recommend for anybody that appreciates history, doesn’t want to commit a ton of time, and wants a well-rounded view of multiple “radical” American movements.

[Molly Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT AN INCREDIBLE BOOK! My husband and I took turns reading this book out loud to each other, and we both learned so much. It definitely included a lot of history I did not learn in school, but it also included events that happened during my lifetime I just didn’t know a lot about. This book includes history of feminism, civil rights, climate and environmental activism, music, and so much more. I’m buying a bunch of copies of this book to give as gifts because I truly think it’s deserving of such, and it’s easily my favorite book read in 2024.

[Patrick Burd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a well written, concise and nicely presented documentation of many of the main American events and movements that helped to move “othered” groups’ and individuals’ causes into the mainstream. I only wish as a Canadian that there was a version that documented our activist history in such an accessible way.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really reader-friendly history that chooses lesser known events from American history that focus on the power of people to organize for change.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicely done overview of American social movements. Bought a copy for my teenage cousin to check out.

[brennapop · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO many cool stories, many of which, I'd never heard before. Loved learning these important histories! I felt all fired up to take action every time I had to put the book down!

[Leslie Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not even done with this book, but am so enthralled and inspired by it. Truly an important read for history buffs from teens to elders.

[Renee B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it-the ladies did get one thing wrong re: BLM-Eric Gardner was not shot-he was choked to death. The #that followed that was: “I can’t breathe.” This book is a must for any history geek.

[Chy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delightful book!

I liked how it made learning about history fun and that while it covered some popular points and movements in history it also covered a lot of lesser known ones.

[Cara Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The history book I wish I would have had as a child.