Rise Up: Confronting a Country at the Crossroads

by Al Sharpton

NOW A NATIONAL BESTSELLER

WITH A NEW PREFACE BY THE AUTHOR

“This man is a gift from God to the world. This book is a gift from Al Sharpton to us. Let’s appreciate them both.”—Michael Eric Dyson

Beginning with a foreword by Michael Eric Dyson, Rise Up is a rousing call to action for our nation, drawing on lessons learned from Reverend Al Sharpton’s unique experience as a politician, television and radio host, and civil rights leader.

Rise Up offers timeless lessons for anyone who’s stood at the crossroads of their personal or political life, weighing their choices of how to proceed.

When the young Alfred Charles Sharpton told his mother he wanted to be a preacher, little did he know that his journey would also lead him to prominence as a politician, founder of the National Action Network, civil rights activist, and television and radio talk show host. His enduring ability and willingness to take on the political power structure makes him the preeminent voice for the modern era, a time unprecedented in its challenges.

In Rise Up , Reverend Sharpton revisits the highlights of the Obama administration, the 2016 election and Trump’s subsequent hold on the GOP, and draws on his decades-long experience with other key players in politics and activism, including Shirley Chisholm, Hillary Clinton, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and more.

The time has come to take a hard look at our collective failures and shortcomings and reclaim our core values in order to build a clear and just path forward for America. Our nation today stands at a crossroads—and change can’t wait.

“Full of history, honesty, and valuable suggestions, Rise Up should be a staple in every home, school and library as an essential primer on civil and political rights in America.” —Martin Luther King, II I

“If you want to learn how to use your voice to change a nation, you should study closely this man—and this book.” —Van Jones

“My Bed-Stuy (do or die) brother has been at the forefront of our battles again and again. From way back in da way back to this present revolution the world is in now, Rev. has been about Black Lives Matter from the jump, also at a time when it was not the most popular or hip thing to be about. I look forward, standing next to him, to see, to witness this new energy, this new day that is about to be in these United States of America.” —Spike Lee

Don't miss Rev. Sharpton's new book, Righteous Untold Stories of the Social Justice Movement in America.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Race, Biography, Memoir, Biography Memoir

304 pages, Paperback

First published September 29, 2020

About the author

Alfred Charles "Al" Sharpton Jr. is an American Baptist minister, political and civil rights/social justice activist, and radio talk show host. In 2004, Sharpton was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. presidential election.

Sharpton hosts his own radio talk show, Keepin It Real and and his own TV show, Politics Nation on MSNBC.

Sharpton's supporters praise "his ability and willingness to defy the power structure that is seen as the cause of their suffering" and consider him "a man who is willing to tell it like it is". Donna Wilson, host of a talk radio program on WWRL in New York City, said of him that "Al Sharpton was born to lead".

Sharpton's critics describe him as "a political radical who is to blame, in part, for the deterioration of race relations". Conservative writer and activist David Horowitz has called Sharpton an "anti-Semitic racist", sociologist Orlando Patterson has referred to him as a racial arsonist, and liberal newspaper columnist Derrick Z. Jackson has called him the black equivalent of Richard Nixon and Pat Robertson.

Sharpton sees much of the criticism as a sign of his effectiveness. "In many ways, what they consider criticism is complimenting my job," said Sharpton. "An activist’s job is to make public civil rights issues until there can be a climate for change. So when people get angry at me for raising these issues and making them public, well, that’s my job! That’s what I’m supposed to do. If I could not get the public’s attention on an issue, then I’m not a good activist."

Reviews

[Andre(Read-A-Lot) · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those familiar with Rev. Al Sharpton either through history, radio, or tv, there won’t be much in these pages that is unfamiliar. Maybe some shifts in philosophy might surprise, but there isn’t anything that is fire hot. Now for those unfamiliar with the man there is some meat to chew on. You will get to know how Rev. Al Sharpton became one of the most recognizable figures in the quest for civil rights. The autobiographical elements are the saving grace of this work. His journey from boy preacher to social activist is one filled with interesting moments buoyed by some historical figures.

So this book is both autobiographical in looking back but offers a way forward and advice to exercise one's own activist muscle. It’s a noble construction of a book with solid advice and timely analysis, including his own behavior and psyche.

“Lastly—and this is particularly difficult, I know—it’s important to do a vanity test every once in a while. Speaking personally, sometimes my vanity outran my sanity, and I had to check myself. As you grow as an activist, it’s tempting to think that you need to become the public face of whatever movement it is that you’re leading, and in some cases, that’s absolutely the right move. The question you need to answer is: Am I doing this next move, whatever that move may be, so that I can be seen? Or am I doing it because I believe it will help effect change? Maybe that means you turn down certain interviews or speaking engagements.”

After all, I would recommend this book for those who wish to have the correct record and resume of Rev. Al Sharpton, his triumphs, policy positions, and his belief on the best way forward and how you can rise up and make a difference. Thanks to Hanover Square Press and Edelweiss for an advanced DRC. Book is dropping Sept. 29th.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Straightforward book by Al Sharpton to stand up to current politicians that are destroying democracy. He discusses racism, women’s and gay rights, as well as environmentalism. His thoughts are clear and direct. We need to do something. He advises how.

[Mary Sisney · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were quite a few interesting passages in this hastily written (he was writing it during the racial reckoning earlier this year) book. I enjoyed reading about Reverend Al’s relationship with Shirley Chisholm and learning that his sister is a lesbian. But I was confused about the stepsister that his father married. I’ve seen other people refer to their half-siblings as step. Did his father marry his first wife’s daughter or Al’s mother’s daughter? Because the very busy Reverend Sharpton wrote the book so hastily, there are editing errors that also cause confusion, and I was surprised that he didn’t exhibit the phrase turning skill in the book that he does in written speeches and occasionally in television banter. But I was most bothered by how many topics he tried to cover in a relatively brief book. He could have written three longer books on three different topics—an issues book on police brutality, environmental racism, toxic masculinity, homophobia, religion and activism, a book on movements like civil rights, METOO, BlackLivesMatter, and gay rights, and a book on his relationships with people like Chisholm, Reverend Jesse Jackson, Donald Trump, and Don King. Although the title suggests that the focus will be on movements for change (he gives some brief tips on how to be a successful activist), I would be more interested in that third book. Like Harry Belafonte and Gloria Steinem, Sharpton, who was a preacher at four and an activist at thirteen, seems to know everyone. I wanted to learn more about his relationships with Trump, Don King, Martin Luther King III, Reverend Jackson, James Brown, and Aretha Franklin. For some reason, he doesn’t even mention Michael Jackson (he does mention the other MJ—Michael Jordan), whom he eulogized and once watched in seeming shock as Jackson accused a record executive of racism during a news conference. Was he the reason Jackson was living in Trump Tower when he married Lisa Marie Presley? Does he still hang out with the Jackson family? Reverend Al needs to take a sabbatical from his radio and television shows and carefully write a lengthy memoir. Then he can write shorter books about issues and movements.

[Janine Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sharpton defines the purpose of his book in the introduction: this isn't for policy wonks or even historians. It's for everyday folks who are interested in direct action. Throughout the book, he weaves together stories and advice from his long years as an activist to argue in favor of a truly intersectional movement. Women's rights, LGBTQ rights, immigrant rights, and environmental activism each get their own chapters, culminating in a concluding chapter on how to be an effective activist. I found it a clear and persuasive read that, in addition to making a strong case for intersectionality—which, I admit, I was surprised to find in a book from a man of his generation— also made me curious to find a more thorough biography of Sharpton the man.

[Julie Coffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book. The writing style is almost like I’m overhearing him talk at a coffee shop. Not super ‘lecturey.’..Sharpton was in no way ‘An angry black man’ as some people have painted him.
I wasn’t familiar with all the names he referenced, so I see it as a good opportunity to research possible reading material to learn more about the causes and programs for justice.
Kind of wish NAN was a podcast; would like to check it out!

[AMAO · Rating 5 out of 5]

A #HISTORICALLY #MINDBLOWING and quite the timely #MUSTREAD

[Robert Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reverend Al Sharpton is a well-known champion and advocate of civil rights who I have followed off and on throughout my adult life. This book is a call to arms so that we can talk, discuss, and strengthen our country. What our country faces today is a collection of collective sociatal failures defined by a philosophy based on the zero-sum game based on fear, distrust, and more of the other. If we want to progress as a country and become the country that we say we are and say that we want, we have to admit the dangers of racial thought and racial actions. If we want to progress as a nation, we must put in the work to build people up over thinking the right thoughts and talking a good game (the concept of the latte liberal) and we must create and strive for a movement "about addition, not subtraction.” If you need to feel superior to another group, you are no better than the slave owner. Freedom is lifting this deeply rooted cultural concept not based on a hierarchy and the zero sum game. Reverend Sharpton is correct when he states that “we don’t need a filling, we need a root canal.”

Reverend Sharpton reminds us that good ultimately wins over the bad in our world, but this can only happen if we stay the course instead of being passive. Why must we work together to advance together? Well, Reverend Sharpton perfectly states that "we can't let someone hijack our ride" because the work starts at the individual level because "no one needs your permission to be equal" and the work is not until there is one set of rules, which guarantees equal protection under the law. Sharpton also reminds us that people are not truly equal so long as there are those out there who do not have equal protection under the law.


If we truly want to improve as a nation, we have to get out of our comfort zones in order to move forward and to "be active in your activism" because thoughts are simply thoughts and do not bring the change that we need. Sharpton points out the concept of being woke that is popular today, but he emphasizes once more that it isn't enough to be woke as you must have the actions to back it up and move the culture forward.

I highly recommend this work and following Reverend Sharpton and his work!

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree with others here who note that those who closely follow Reverend Al Sharpton will probably not find anything surprising about his life in this book. I have watched Reverend Sharpton from time to time when he’s in the news or on his television program but I wasn’t wholly familiar so a lot of this information was fairly new for me. For example, I didn’t know a lot about his personal life and that his support of gay marriage came about because his sister is gay. I also like that he holds himself and others accountable for their actions and identifies how wokeness and the desire for celebrity clouds many young activists today.

Sharpton discusses his early work in becoming an activist and reverend in the church and is also honest how very little has changed in the pursuit of equal justice for all. I do feel though that he didn’t bother touching upon social media creating an echo chamber where people only seek and follow others that share their views alone. I probably think about this more than him having worked with social media but I don’t think you can write about society’s injustices these days without holding social media companies to account. It’s undoubtable in my mind that social media companies have given a pass to people projecting hate and I would hope that Reverend Sharpton starts becoming more vocal about that.

[Lisa Konet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very important book that every politician, government official, US citizen and American should read. The title is very suiting to what Sharpton discusses in the pages of this book. Rise up and do something about systemic racism, Rise up and do something about climate change. Rise up against gun violence.

Rise up and act! is basically the point of this book. His observations and reasoning are spot on! Each of us needs to act/rise up, if we want a problem changed. Contact your mayor. Talk to your governor's office. Write a letter about an issue that matters to you and what they should do to help. What kind of life do you want for child? Do you want your grandchild living in a country with only high temperatures and no trees? Do something.

A highly recommended read. Once I started reading this, I couldn't put it down. Glad my library had this.

[Preston Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rev. Al Sharpton has been an activist seeking justice, equality and human rights for his fellow man since the age of 14. This book truly chronicles his journey to become the renowned catalyst of change so sorely needed in this nation. He opens his heart about the giants of the civil rights movement who have mentored and advised him throughout his life of activism and protest. Thankfully, Rev. Sharpton shares the knowledge he has gained and shares his on-point advice on how we as a people, need to move forward in our continued struggle for justice. You will learn so much about the incredible desire of this man of God to do the hard work that is needed every day to help lift up those on the lower rung of the economic and social ladder. To gain a true insight into the life of this truly dedicated activist and man of the people, read Rise Up.

[LenaMarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rise Up, is timely, relevant and a very interesting read! Written by Al Sharpton who is a very well recognized civil rights leader, As the country is currently standing at a crossroads and in urgent need of a positive change, this work can guide our own examination of our individual and collective values. This is a needed step in order to join together to create a more just society in this country. I found this book very interesting! Thank you NetGalley for an advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Brian Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was sheer coincidence that I finished a book I had been reading for a few weeks on the morning of Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. Sharpton’s passionate look at a “country at the crossroads” shares insights on everything from civil rights and immigration to climate change. True, some of Sharpton’s views on battling racism and other major issues have been widely disseminated on television and other media platforms. But his engaging narrative and first-person perspectives involving a number of momentous events make this an important book at a critical time in our nation’s history.

[Thomas (Tom) Baynham,Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharpton in print is a reflection of Sharpton in person and on the air. This quote comes from the final pages of "Rise Up"; "The only way for us as a society-the whole of which is far greater than the sum of its parts-to mitigate that gap as well as the other inequalities of this unprecedented time is to continue to call out the wickedness in high places for what it is and to demand nothing less than a full accounting of such unfairness." (page 267). The book is a lasting testimony to Rev.Al's call to ministry and vocation, and reaffirms the importance and need of the Church in the arena of justice and politics.

[Theresa Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reverend Al Sharpton brings a honest and open dialogue, of his many number of years and the political world. A hope that is to seek a fully functional democratic constitution. This book reminds us of the plateaus of little or no change we've endured and plateaus of historical high ground. Bringing through a better understanding of what makes the world of politics tick behind the scenes. Giving us direction to move forward with the ability to fight even smarter

[Sandra Jeffs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A worthwhile read. He explains a lot about his own philosophy and insights on the system racism in America. He gave great insights into who Donald Trump is and he avoids slamming him while still being truthful.
His history and evolution as an activist gave me, a white woman, more context for what is happening today.

[Bruce Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful testimony to the power of activism

Few writers have captured the cost of activism the way Al Sharpton has. Chapter 8 is worth its weight in gold. He threads a time line from our present, to the past that gave me a greater appreciation for the organization he represents. If you want it to be a secret, don’t call him... This is a must read...

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. I was going to give it 3 1/2 but he did help me to see things from the perspective of a person of color and much of this book is very interesting. I did have to speed read through some of it though, especially the spiritual parts.

[Gilbert Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rev Al has done so much in his lifetime. He writes about many events most of us are aware of but does give a blueprint for how we all can get involved or start a cause. He also let's us into his personal life that I did not know about.

[Bettie]

"In studio finishing the last touches on the audio version of my new upcoming book, RISE UP! "

[HTP Books]

Categories
Civil Rights, Social Activists Biographies & Autobiographies, Campaigns & Elections

[william kienzle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wake up call

Rev. Al combines a memoir with a call to action for everyone relative to the major problems of our times. An important read.

[HTP Books]

Categories
Social Activists Biographies & Autobiographies, Civil Rights, Campaigns & Elections

[Gregg Puluka · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot to digest in this book and a lot to work for and n the future. Kind of wish it was a little more positive but he is keeping it real.

Great gift for any likeminded individuals

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part biography, part memoir, part political and social commentary - it was interesting to read his point of view on past and current events.

[Dawn R. Mallory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking

Al did a beautiful job of providing insight, education, and encouraging guidance on where we have been and where we have yet to go as a country. Great read.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend the audio version of this book. The final part of the audiobook is Rev. Sharpton’s eulogy at George Floyd’s funeral… and it’s moving. We will rise up, we will march on…

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Rev!!!