Citizen Democracy: Political Activists in a Cynical Age

This is a great read, either as a textbook in a government and politics class or as a book to inspire and amaze. Dr. Frantzich has meticulously researched the famous and obscure that have taken some bold steps to make a difference and affect real change. After I finished reading it and using it for a college-leve public administration class I am teaching, my husband read it and will use the vingettes to illustrate the government process to his AP government class. I highly recommend it and will use it again in my college classes.

This is a refreshing and inspiring collection of essays about people who refuse to believe "you can't fight city hall." Subtitled "Political activists in a cynical age" it traces the stories of people who used the political system to affect public well-being. Examples include MADD (mothers against drunk driving); Dr. Kristen Zarfos, the breast cancer surgeon whose grass roots efforts stopped "Drive Through Mastectomies;" and Rosa Parks bus segregation protest. I'm famiiliar with Dr. Zarfos story, and this book tells it beautifully. Read this book yourself and give it to anyone who complains about how irrelevant politics has become!