Mobilizing Resentment: Conservative Resurgence From The John Birch Society To The Promise Keepers

by Jean Hardisty

" Mobilizing Resentment provides a wealth of information for anyone interested in how to refocus the energy and idealism of the progressive movement on the building of institutions that are relevant to the lives of most Americans.' --Wilma Mankiller, from the Foreword

Jean Hardisty, draws a map of the political battles now being fought in America and offers lessons for progressives confronting, combating and constructively engaging the Right in more productive ways.

In this provocative book, Jean Hardisty details the formation of right-wing movements in opposition to the struggle for expansion of rights for women, people of color, and lesbians and gays. Her own experiences spanning three decades as both an activist and observer undergird her analysis in riveting ways. We see her in a stadium filled with Promise Keepers, watching thousands of men pledge in unison to take control of their families, with a mixture of awe, fear, and a lucid understanding of what draws people to such charismatic events.

Genres: Politics, Religion, Sociology

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Eric · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book suffers from two problems, first, the author’s continuous use of ‘I’ starting too many sentences, and the missed opportunity of giving historical perspective that dates the book. It is perfectly fine to be an authority, but Jean Hardisty, like Richard Dawkins, inserts herself too deeply in the subject, moving the focus away from the content. This book was written in the 1990’s and will remain relevant mostly to people that read it at that time, like most pundits it’s a sociological study more than a historical study, and makes many assumptions based on the authors belief without backing it up in the text. For examples she equates the Christian Coalition movement of the 1980’s with the Republican Party’s “Southern Strategy”, then simply moves without pointing out the specific similarities. Daniel Schulman’s ‘Sons of Wichita’ did a more complete job of tracking the history of John Birch to Promise Keepers than this book. A missed opportunity.

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Obviously well-researched, but sloppy, scatter-shot writing. A real chore to read. Didn't finish.