SHORTLISTED FOR BEST NON-FICTION BOOK BY A PARLIAMENTARIAN AT THE PARLIAMENTARY BOOK AWARDS 2021'Read this book!' Caroline Lucas'My money's on Magid.' Thandie Newton"Thou shalt not ignore this book. Magid is magic!" - Jarvis Cocker 'A man so inspiring you will have no choice but to cast your hopeless lethargy asunder' - Rufus Hound A guide to being courageous and community-minded, and to disrupting and dismantling age-old power structures in work, life and politics, written by someone who has done exactly that. Let's be honest. Magid Magid's story seems an unlikely one. He's a Somali-born black Muslim refugee who became the youngest ever Lord Mayor of Sheffield and one of the last UK MEPs. Magid has made headlines nationally and internationally for his creative ways of campaigning while not conforming to tradition and being unapologetically himself. Magid had no idea that the poster he dreamed up for a local music festival in 2018 would go viral. The poster contained the 10 commandments he tries to live by. He had no idea that this poster would come to represent a movement that has swept him to the heart of local and European establishment politics. Now, for the first time, he reveals the stories behind each of these 'commandments'; what drives him, the obstacles he overcame and what makes him hopeful.'His voice and representation are inspirational and a force to reckon with.' Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, lawyer, activist and author'It's easy to problematise the world, but Magid has offered us answers , solutions and even the possibility of a new politics.' Jon McClure, lead singer of Reverend and The Makers'Magid's book could not be more timely. A must read for anyone who wants to change the world.' Chunky Mark, The Artist Taxi Driver
A wonderful book written by a wonderful man! The perfect mix of digestible politics & inspiring anecdotes, and a must read for anyone who has had the pleasure to call Sheffield their home!
Everyone should read this, basically. Sure, it gets a little muddled in its structure in the middle, but some of the chapters are pure fire. In particular, Be Kind, Don't Be A Prick, and Don't Kiss A Tory, are great. Also Do Epic Shit, which confirms my belief that me and Magic Magid would be good friends if we ever met.
I had the pleasure of meeting and campaigning with Magid in York during the European Elections, and this book is like an exact carbon (no global warming pun intended) copy of the man himself. This book is so genuine, its real, its bold and challenging. I encourage everyone to read this. I encourage every to sprinkle a bit of Magid into their lives 💚
My son is 2 1/2-years old. I’m going to put this on his bookshelf and hope that by the time he is able to read it, things have really changed. Read this book. Don’t kiss a Tory.
I’ve never really considered myself as very political. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always voted and I do think about who I vote for when the time comes. However, I wouldn’t say I was that bothered about politics, until now.
After reading Majid Majid’s book I have hope. There are people in politics who care about what happens to this country and there are people who care about everyone, not just the people in the social class that they come from. They want to serve the people: the minority, the majority and everyone in between.
But it’s we as a people who need to vote them in. To see that they want to change this country for the better. To not let the racist, homophobic and misogynistic pigs that currently run our country, take anything more from us.
We need to educate our young people so that when the time comes, they can vote for a government that will change their lives for the better. I recommend this book to all who want to see a change in our government and to those, who like me, may have been on the fence about politics. It has inspired me to do more where I can and be part of the change.
The Art of Disruption: A Manifesto For Real Change. – Magid Magid
In his first book, The Art of Disruption: A Manifesto for Real Change, Magid calls out to each of his readers “we need your energy, passion and unique voice”. He uses this adventure into non-fiction writing as an opportunity to lay out a bold guide of commandments to be kind, don’t be a pr*ck, do epic sh*t, see the good, don’t lose hope, do it differently, always buy your round, don’t kiss a Tory, tell your ma you love her and you’ve got this.
Amongst this daring setting, Magid beautifully shares his experiences along the way whether that be memories that have taken place on Sheffield buses, banning Donald Trump from Sheffield or even getting elected as an MEP representing the Yorkshire and Humber area. Each chapter is prefaced by not only one of Magid’s ten commandments but also a selection of relevant quotations taken from notable figures including Maya Angelou, Martin Luther King and Toni Morrisson.
Magid doesn’t just talk about politics merely on the surface but gets down to the roots of activism connection, kindness and inspiration. Poignantly describing how “As we grow up, it is easy to forget just how powerful that initial feeling of connection is. Building bridges with strangers can become harder; we can become isolated from others and fearful of new and different people. And yet I believe that we all yearn for connection, even if we don’t show it”. He declares that “kindness is bold, brave and politically radical” and admits that for him “inspiring others matters more to me than personal glory because it lasts”.
Certainly not letting us forget his naturally charismatic nature, Magid continues to make us laugh with comments such as “I hate to echo what some of your intimate partners may have said but you are doing it wrong.” and through questioning tradition, “what is tradition other than peer pressure from dead people?”
Overall Magid’s words are exciting, raw, and empowering as he invites readers to do things differently.
Honestly I don't think I've ever heard of Magid, but his list of commandments to live by on the book cover really resonated with me so I gave it a go. What a guy. There's a lot of inspiring anecdotes throughout the book that just make you aspire to be a better person and create change as well. I love that Magid wasn't afraid to go against the status quo and brought some life into politics. We could all take a leaf out of his book (literally). Really recommend, what a great book to start off the year.
“We must choose hope because action is better than inaction. We must choose hope because compassion is better than hate. We must choose hope because community and belonging are better than isolation and fear. And ultimately, we must choose hope because the alternative is too bleak to sit this one out and wait for the next chance as there may not be another one.”
This book reminds us that, although hope is an emotional risk, it is our duty.
This was such an inspiring book and I couldn’t put the book down. Magid is an amazing writer and doesn’t write to tell you how you should live your life, but writes about his experiences in life and how that has shaped him to become the person he is today. I can’t wait to continue following Magid’s journey and all the amazing stuff that he is going to do in the future to better the society, country and world he is in. Keep up the great work Magid. Pursuit-Pain-Passion - HUMMA
A great book from one of my greatest pals. Personally, the author has stuck by me through thick and thin. This is something he does for all whether family, friend or “stranger”. This love is demonstrated in his excellent book. Funny, caring, inspiring and charming, Magid manages to make us all feel better and ready to face whatever challenge we have that day whilst reminding us to smile at those we pass on the street.
Light, witty and filled with positive messages. The writing wanders through Magid's recollections and achievements very broadly. It is very much an autobiographical account, but he's a pretty cool guy.
The original Sheffield 10 point plan on the front cover is explained in the book. Energizing look behind ex Sheffield Mayor and one of last Mep's and may just make you a force for change.
There's not much depth to this. It's more like a motivational speech stretched to fill a book. Majid's principles and beliefs are admirable. I wish there had been more about my beloved Sheffield.
By no means a "ground-breaking" political work, but more like how I would imagine a conversation about his approach to life and reasons for getting into politics would go.
Majid is a catalyst for change. In a period of political disillusionment, for many his experiences will bring home that there is much work yet to be done. But we see, there is a generation of doers hard at work creating their opportunities, buying their time, to create a new world.