“As someone who has spent decades in the streets, in the halls of Congress, and alongside movements around the world, I find Charles Derber’s Letters to the Resistance a brilliant guide for turning outrage into sustained, effective action that is perfectly suited to this dangerous moment. Written as letters to activists, and those just beginning to find their voice, it weaves together history, strategy, and personal reflection in a way that makes resistance feel not only necessary, but irresistible. This is not a book that will sit quietly on a shelf, it will be passed hand to hand, dog-eared, and put to work as a guide for people ready to step into their own power.”Medea Benjamin, Cofounder of Code Pink and Global Exchange, author of War in Ukraine, winner of Gandhi and Martin Luther King peace prizes“Charles Derber’s latest book is required reading for activists, in part a manual on how to expand the defense of democracy in today’s critical times, in part a memoir of his role in the civil rights movement and the opposition to the Vietnam war in the 1960s. The ‘letters’ format allows him to write in a conversational style as he traces key episodes in the struggle for reform in the United States and gives advice for the future. He explains how to overcome fear and resist the intimidation about career and promotion prospects which often prevents people from joining protests. Derber provides a radical roadmap for change in the Trump era and beyond, essential for activists, students and the alarmed public.”Jonathan Steele, Former chief foreign correspondent for The Guardian“Here is a book anyone committed to resisting Trumpian MAGA must read and share with those around them. Showing how the past offers a model for the present and the future, it inspires collective action to create a post-Trumpian democracy more genuine than anything that preceded it. It is exactly what is needed in response to current era.”Yale Magrass, Chancellor Professor Emeritus of Sociology, University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth"Letters to the Resistance is chock full of missives of uplifting inspiration and insight, rooted in history and practice. Derber soberly faces our societal challenges while illuminating a path forward, giving readers a boost with resources, hope, and encouragement. A salve for weary souls and fortification for the journey ahead."Chuck Collins, Institute for Policy Studies, author of Burned by Billionaires"At a moment of such deep assault on our democracy, science, and humanity, Derber’s Letters to the Resistance breathes new oxygen into our infrastructure of resistance. Based in deep historic analysis, and his own lived experiences, Derber offers students a roadmap to universalize resistance through non-violent, empathetic, intersectional mobilization. Focused on overcoming fear, isolation, and division, this roadmap enables us to reimagine political and economic systems that can sustain us all."Shelley K. White, Associate Professor, Boston College"Professor Derber is one of those rare authors able to combine scholarly knowledge and brilliant insight with years of experience and grassroots activism. In the form of heartfelt letters to the activists of today, he provides both inspiration and wisdom to help our current movement for social justice and a true democracy succeed. I find encouragement, hope and vision in his writing, as well as advice about how to be personally resilient and strategically effective. Experienced activists as well as those who have just begun to be active in the face of serious threats to our democracy will find much to relate to and a great deal of knowledge to be gained."Madelyn Rhenisch, Boston Indivisible and Co-Founder and Interim Leadership Team, True North Action Alliance BostonPraise for previous work:“This book is joyfully jammed with wisdom, experience, tools and motivation to overcome the ravages of the corporate state. So gripping is Welcome to the Revolution you can scarcely put this book down without putting yourself down.”Ralph Nader on Welcome to the Revolution“Charles Derber is one of our most astute and eloquent social critics… His political analysis is persuasive and is enlivened by graceful prose.”Howard Zinn on From Greed to Green“In this lucid and informed study, Charles Derber breaks through the necessary illusions and shows how the United States is being turned into a ‘sociopathic society.’”Noam Chomsky on Sociopathic Society “What would Karl Marx think about Lady Gaga, Facebook, and the Wall Street-driven economic meltdown? Derber’s gift is to bring Marx alive and engage the worldly philosopher about the great issues of our day.”Chuck Collins on Marx’s Ghost“A superb – and superbly readable analysis of the way our ruling elites manufacture their own legitimacy and protect wealth and power…a much needed and optimistic antidote to Trump-inspired gloom.”Jonathan Steele on Moving Beyond FearAn engaging and provocative book…to encourage ongoing thoughtful discussions among students, scholars, and the general public … presenting panoramic views on democracy, race and corporate powerG. William Domhoff on Who Owns Democracy“Charlie Derber’s new book … is the right message for the Trump era, and it is presented in powerful, moral, and practical terms. A must read.”Gar Alperovitz on Welcome to the Revolution"Fascinating, provocative, and very timely. I found it very hard to stop reading…On every page, there’s something startling to be learned about the past that is crucial to understanding our vertigo-inducing present."Daniel Ellsberg on Glorious Causes
