Better Than We Found It: Conversations to Help Save the World

by Frederick Joseph, Porsche Joseph

From the New York Times best-selling author of The Black Friend and a seasoned activist comes an indispensable guide to social and political progressivism for young people and anyone wanting to get more involved.

Every generation inherits the problems created by the ones before them, but no generation will inherit as many problems—as many crises—as the current generation of young people. From the devastations of climate change to the horrors of gun violence, from rampant transphobia to the widening wealth gap, from the lack of health care to the lack of housing, the challenges facing the next generation can feel insurmountable. But change, even revolution, is possible; you just have to know where to start. In Better Than We Found It, best-selling author Frederick Joseph and debut author Porsche Joseph make the case for addressing some of the biggest issues of our day. Featuring more than two dozen interviews with prominent activists, authors, actors, and politicians, this is the essential resource for those who want to make the world better than we found it.

Featuring interviews with:
Mehcad Brooks
Keah Brown
Julián Castro
Sonja Cherry-Paul
Chelsea Clinton
Charlotte Clymer
Mari Copeny, aka Little Miss Flint
Greg D’Amato
Jesse Katz
Amed Khan
Daniel Alejandro Leon-Davis
Willy and Jo Lorenz
Ben O’Keefe
Brittany Packnett Cunningham
Anna Paquin
Robert Reich
Brandon T. Snider
Nic Stone
Anton Treuer
Andrea Tulee
David Villalpando
Elizabeth Warren
Shannon Watts
Natalie Weaver
Brandon Wolf

Genres: Nonfiction, Social Justice, Audiobook, Activism, Environment, Race, Education

499 pages, Hardcover

First published October 11, 2022

About the author

Frederick Joseph is a Yonkers, NY raised three-time New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. His books include a poetry collection, We Alive, Beloved, two books of nonfiction, Patriarchy Blues, and The Black Friend, a collaboration, Better Than We Found It, a children’s book, The Courage to Dream, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and his recent bestselling, Kirkus and Publisher’s Weekly Starred reviewed YA novel, This Thing of Ours.

Reviews

[Dona's Books]

I'm so triggered by this author's recollections of the political gaslighting that was rampant during the 2020 presidential election that I actually can't read this book, even though the author and I appear (at least at this early 5% mark) to be politically similar. The trauma is real.

[Reading on Wheels · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 / 5 stars

This was pretty basic since I'm pretty sure it's supposed to be for middle and elementary schoolers. It wasn't particularly in depth, so I didn't get much from it.

The structure itself (personal story to interview) worked most of the time except when it didn't. Let me tell you how uncomfortable I was when some guy was explaining feminism to me. Like I understand he did it so his wife didn't have to but...still

I thought this was an anthology at first, and I think it would have worked better as one. Especially with the interviews! Though, I think they could have selected the interviewers a lot better. Why some cis guy was interviewed in the trans section, I will never know.

If you know essentially nothing about activism and are interested in starting your journey, this would be the book for you. Otherwise...I mean, I don't know, do as you please, but this just wasn't for me.

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Necessary, hopeful, empowering. Review TK for The Young Folks.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book every young person should read. It should be in every middle and high school. There are resources for each chapter on the books website.

[Mica Segal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really wonderful compilation for youth, full of honesty and hope!

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is...fine. I agree with their assertions, but many of the "what you can do" suggestions are either super vague or send people in the wrong direction to effect change. Want people to stop using ableist language? Be clearer about what language is ableist. Federal, state, and local governments all have different realms of authority, so make sure those letters and comments are directed to the legislative body having jurisdiction over your pet issue. I would recommend this book for teens, but not really for adults unless they've had a recent Trumpy-to-liberal conversion.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Others have stated this book is for youth, however, for those, young or older, this book does a wonderful job in explaining WHY certain beliefs are not okay and how they effect the marginalized. For anyone wanting to know and understand more about social issues, this book does a great job at breaking it down and making it understandable.

[Shelby Preciado · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Such an important book. One everyone should read in their lifetime. Hits all the big topics that need addressing in our late-stage capitalistic society hellbent on preserving white supremacy.
*hardcopy*

[lalunenoire · Rating 2 out of 5]

Better Than We Found It feels more like a collection of blog posts or interviews than a cohesive book. The structure—narrative, speaker interjection, personal anecdote, interjection, and back to narrative—feels disjointed and poorly suited for a younger, pre-voting-age audience with a limited attention span. An anthology-style collaboration might have worked better to deliver its message effectively.

While aiming to serve as a "conversation starter," the book falls short in providing actionable steps for readers. Beyond the generic advice to "start small," it offers little guidance on tackling broader systemic issues such as the need for a congressional caucus for children, healthcare reform, green energy initiatives, support for senior citizens, and aligning U.S. laws with its stated values.

Of the entire book, only four topics stood out: the Pentagon's use of disinformation, the Boldt decision, Trump’s revocation of the Mashpee Wampanoag's reservation status, and the Supreme Court’s ruling against gender- or sex-based firings. Unfortunately, even these were more fleeting examples or sidenotes than fully explored chapter focuses, leaving the overall work feeling underdeveloped.

[Melanie Glassford · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sociologist in me couldn't get enough of this book. While Better Than We Found It had a target audience of a younger generation, this is a fantastic book for anyone who is at the beginning stages of activism and advocacy. This husband/wife duo took turns authoring chapters, while also inviting prominent guests/experts to speak on the crises facing the United States (dangers of disinformation, threat of climate crisis, being a feminist and womanist accomplice, the wealth gap, the devastation of gun violence, indigenous land theft, anti-racism, education reform, homophobia, healthcare reform, gender identity, housing security, military industrial complex, prison industrial complex, ableism, and immigration policy). This was a great book to dive into as a "chapter a day" and I especially love every chapter referenced their website BetterThanWeFoundItBook.com -- which feature toolkits for each corresponding chapter that provides additional reading, suggestions on what to watch to learn more, organizations to support, and clear guidance on "what you can do." I will definitely be gifting this book and sharing with as many people as possible... these topics are more vital and important than ever before.

[Dana Dorion · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. This is written for a younger audience but as a 45 year old I found this very accessible for anyone and everyone who wants to understand how all the isms of modern western society are interconnected. I find myself often these days feeling pretty down and hopeless about the state of the world. The oppression, corruption, greed and destruction you seen in the news everyday. This book laid a lot of these things out there in a way that challenges the ignorance and systems at play that make this all possible while also showing a hope for how these systems can be changed for the better in future. This book made me very encouraged for all the possibilities for the younger generation going forward to fight the injustices of the world and build a more equitable and sustainable future. It all starts with each of us informing and educating ourselves. Great book…Highly recommend!!

[Finn Sutton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would recommend for middle/highschoolers or those who are either unconscious or disconscious of ongoing issues within America. However in our current society I’d probably be surprised with how many adults I would recommend this too. It doesn’t go into too much depth, but still an empowering read. I wish I recognized more of the interviewees, which made me wish some of them were selected differently. The idea of making a change is there, but the book itself doesn’t necessarily help provide ideas on how one could do so; I will be visiting the website. Every chapter ends with expressing the need to go fight for change and make an impact but never once explains what could be done. Overall an inspiring and compassionate read.

[Chris Loeffler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stories mixed with interviews highlight the many challenges we are facing as a society - misinformation, racism, women's rights, ableism, gun rights, and climate change. The authors, while clearly liberal, encourage readers to approach each subject from multiple perspectives and listen to everyone involved in the conversations. Most interviews are with current activists, which give ideas for how one might become involved. It would be impossible to do something for each topic covered, but there are small steps everyone can take, even just by having a better understanding, and big steps for those inspired to do so.

[Will Hamelin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this was a great book to get me started on the process of learning about the issues that Americans face living there, and essentially, where to start when it comes to making the world a better place. I enjoyed the chapters on the prison and military industrial complexes, aswell as the LGBTQ chapter.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent collections of essays by Frederick Jospeh and Porsche Joseph with commentary by excellent knowledgeable sources. This should be required reading for high-school students and their parents to better understand the world we live in.

[Robbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book! Terrific conversations we all should be having! If I was a teacher, I’d have all of my students read this wonderful book. So much to gain and think about from this one, along with action to just be better in the world!

[Elaine Dickmann · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m abandoning this after getting halfway through chapter 3. I thought it would be more futuristic minded, leading your kind to be motivated for more change. This feels more sad, problem focused, and lack of solutions. Sigh.

[Kels Plankey · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up! Although it took me over a year to finish this one [I'll chalk it up to heavy political topics mixed with the current political climate], I really enjoyed this one. Personal experiences mixed with accountability & more... I'm all over it.

[Jo Lorenz · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly helpful resource for people who want to safeguard the future of our planet and our future generations. An inspiring read!

[Geniece · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clear and factual book! Filled with great interviews and insights. I was inspired as a human and as a parent. Look forward to now reading this with my son!

[Isabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every young person should read this.

[Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The target demo is young adult, but I don’t think anyone is too old for this book. Lots of info delivered in a conversational and engaging way.

[Elizabeth Kopacek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buying this for my classroom!

[Jessica Fitzpatrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was fine but from looking at the sources….I’ll just keep my comments to myself

[Stephanie - naturally.caffeinated.reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible boook with so much necessary and important information. The audio was absolutely perfection from the alternating voices subjects covered so much learning to do and will absolutely need to add a physical to my forever shelves

[kaiya · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ read this book for school… it was interesting even if not the most informative.

[ALEYA · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing read! This book is so important and should be found in all libraries and schools.

[Tabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great and full of so many important topics we must have conversations about. I loved how they had words bolder throughout the book with the definitions in the back of the book so you can learn the true meaning of the words we hear but may not understand. Some of my favorite quotes/ takeaways from the book are:
“…Challenged ourselves to give more to this world than we take..”
“Because having a vision for what the world should be means nothing if you won’t do what’s necessary to create a world in that image”
“One of the most important things I’ve learned as I’ve grown older is how important it is to restore yourself in a world that often takes more than it gives.”
“Are you going to be part of the winds of change…?”
The book is geared towards young adults/preteen-teenagers, but the future lies with children so it’s fitting to introduce them to all of these topics to get them to start thinking, learning and questioning these ideas now. Overall a wonderful book that I think everyone needs to read! Let’s all work together to leave our world “better than we found it”!

[Erica Linde · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked it. It went through each topic so well!

[Dara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me quite awhile longer than regular books take me to read. It is a bit long and full of information. It may be more easy to consume if taken bit by bit, but I read it the whole way through. Much of the book is told through stories and interviews from people directly effected by the topics. While this book is meant for teens, I do think it was pretty meaty. It gives ideas as to how to respond to people on subjects of racism, homophobia, the wealth gap, climate change, the barriers to higher education, health, and housing issues. It definitely makes you consider your privileges. There is also a website you can check out with further recommendations and resources.