From Cairo to Wall Street

March 19, 2012
In 2011, protesters helped topple dictatorships in North Africa and the Middle East, railed against crippling austerity measures in the European Union, and occupied Wall Street literally and metaphorically. Edited by journalists Schiffrin and Kircher-Allen, this collection—featuring essays by activists in nine countries—attempts to weave a coherent narrative from these disparate protests. Uneven in tone and polish, each essay shares the personal account of one individual, their political awakening, and the spark that led them to take to the streets—often with a proviso, such as “I’m not really the demonstration-going type.” Though it presents a valuable, multifaceted, grassroots perspective on a complex phenomenon, the book suffers from a number of oversights and omissions. Neither Libya nor Yemen is represented, and, while it is mentioned in the forward, Tel Aviv’s tent city is also absent. Ultimately the effort to tie together so many movements with such different aims and circumstances falls flat. When activists who distribute roses to Syrian soldiers are being arrested and tortured for their troubles, rhetoric about the Wisconsin government “declaring war on … workers” seems out of place.

Starred review from May 1, 2012

Schiffrin (director, media & communications program, Sch. of International & Public Affairs, Columbia Univ.; Bad News: How America's Business Press Missed the Story of the Century) and freelance reporter Kircher-Allen bring together disparate representatives from movements in Egypt, Tunisia, Syria, Bahrain, Spain, Chile, and Greece, as well as from Occupy Wall Street and Occupy London, whose activism befuddled traditional activists the world over and toppled some governments. Readers will see strong links among these highly personal essays, even as their subjects seem both connected yet nothing alike. Was 2011 a tipping point when technology combined with popular discontent to shake the world, or was it just a time when computer-savvy youth across the globe vented their frustrations against the prevailing order? The reader will have to decide whether these moving accounts represent a new wave of social ferment or isolated histories of local movements. VERDICT At root this book is a testament to the power of thousands of individuals making the personal choice to move from resignation to indignation and action. A thought-provoking, even inspiring work. A foreword by Jeffrey D. Sachs and an introduction by Joseph E. Stiglitz attest to its quality. Highly recommended.--Duncan Stewart, Univ. of Iowa Libs., Iowa City

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