The Political Edge

by Chris Carlsson (Editor)

In the wake of the astonishing popular mobilization on behalf of an underdog campaign to elect Green Party candidate Matt Gonzalez mayor of San Francisco, The Political Edge analyzes emergent political energies, where they came from and where they’re going. Rarely have contemporary radicals joined forces with cultural rebels and neighborhood activists in an effort to change almost everything about the governance of a city. Cultural and political trends erupt in San Francisco, a city that thrives on dissent and new ideas. With wit and cogency, this book reveals the new dynamics that will reshape urban politics nationwide. Chris Carlsson is an urban historian who has written and edited Critical Bicycling’s Defiant Celebration , Bad Processed World Reader and Reclaiming San Francisco .

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Chris Carlsson, executive director of the multimedia history project "Shaping San Francisco" (foundsf.org), is a writer, publisher, editor and community organizer. He was a founder of the ground-breaking magazine Processed World, and helped launch the monthly bike-ins known as Critical Mass that have spread to five continents and over 300 cities. Carlsson has edited and authored numerous books, including Reclaiming San Francisco: History, Politics, Culture.

Reviews

[Rene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book and even have a tiny snippet of one of my art pieces inside.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 2003, Matt Gonzalez ran as a Green Party candidate for Mayor of San Francisco. Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Jesse Jackson, Dianne Feinstein, and Nancy Pelosi all campaigned in San Francisco for his Democratic Party opponent, who narrowly won (amid charges of campaign impropriety). This City Lights book collects post-election essays by supporters & others from a variety of viewpoints. A must-read for anyone interested in this subject.

[kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

fascinating look at the matt gonzalez campaign, by a host of folks from different camps who grabbed the momentum of the hope of a new san francisco