In the Company of Rebels: A Generational Memoir of Bohemians, Deep Heads, and History Makers

The 1960s and 1970s were a time of American social change movements, driven by ordinary people who cared. This book creates a collective portrait of rebels, artists, radicals, and thinkers who raised issues of justice, the environment, feminism, and colonialism. It connects to the present moment, as many people find themselves protesting for the first time.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 14 May 2019
Publisher: New Village Press

Since the 1960s, meetings with remarkable activists have been a hallmark of American social change movements. These movements, which dominated the 1960s and 1970s, were not led by a handful of celebrity activists but by ordinary people who cared deeply about the issues they were fighting for. These history makers, together, transformed the political and spiritual landscape of America and laid the foundation for many of the social movements that exist today.

Through a series of 43 vignettes, the author creates a collective portrait of the rebels, artists, radicals, and thinkers who raised many of the issues of justice, the environment, feminism, and colonialism that we are now familiar with. The characters, who hail from Berkeley to Bolivia, New York to New Mexico, are portrayed in intricate detail, revealing their vibrant, irreverent energy, unwavering commitment, and passion for life.

In our present moment, as many people find themselves in the streets protesting for the first time in their lives, In the Company of Rebels makes the connection to this relatively recent rebellious era. The author reflects on her own twenty-year-old self, sitting at the counter of Codys Books in Berkeley in the early 1970s, thrilled about the times but oblivious to the work that came before. She notes that she "didn't know anything about this courageous and colorful past," but that through her research and encounters with the characters in the book, she has gained a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices and struggles of those who came before her.

The book also highlights the importance of community and collaboration in social change movements. The characters, who came from diverse backgrounds and experiences, worked together to build a movement that was both powerful and inclusive. They recognized that their success depended on their ability to unite people around common goals and to create a sense of shared purpose.

In conclusion, In the Company of Rebels is a powerful and inspiring book that sheds light on the history of American social change movements. Through the stories and lives of the characters, the author demonstrates the power of ordinary people to make a difference and to create a better world. The book serves as a reminder that social change is not just about individual acts of rebellion but about building a movement that can bring about lasting change.

Weight: 566g
Dimension: 204 x 155 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781613320952