Blueprint for Revolution

Blueprint for Revolution: How to Use Rice Pudding, Lego Men, and Other Non-Violent Techniques to Galvanize Communities, Overthrow Dictators, or Simply Change the World
Srdja Popovic, Matthew Miller, 2015

Premise: The principles of nonviolent resistance, illustrated by practical examples of every scale from all over the world.

I have been frustrated trying to read books about the current moment in politics. Popular politicians' hottest takes on how we should react to the darkening timeline we seem to find ourselves in leave me cold.

But this. This is the book I needed. Maybe it is the book you need as well?

It's not about dealing with today specifically. It's about changing the world. It's about overthrowing dictators, resisting oppression, fighting corporate policies, improving societies, and building social movements.

It's also incredibly friendly and readable and has Tolkien references.

The book lays out the principles that the people from the Centre for Applied Non-Violent Action and Strategies (CANVAS) have seen work around the world in conflicts and issues of all sizes. Each principle is explained with examples of successful and unsuccessful applications and supported with cited research when possible.

The history alone (recent and less so) is fascinating enough to make this a great read. The examples are fascinating, and the commentary is great. Working with CANVAS, Popovic has acted as an advisor or consultant to many recent movements, and his perspective is really down-to-earth and practical.

The book is funny and encouraging and inspirational, and I really do encourage everyone to check it out.

5 Stars - An Awesome Book