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Informationen zum Autor Todd Gitlin is a professor of journalism and sociology and the chair of the Ph.D. program in communications at Columbia University. He is the author of fourteen books, including most recently the novel Undying and The Chosen Peoples: America, Israel, and the Ordeals of Divine Election . He is a regular contributor to the New Republic and TPMcafe.com, and has written for outlets including the New York Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Nation and Harper's . Klappentext "Be original. See what happens." So Todd Gitlin advises the young mind burning to take action to right the wrongs of the world but also looking for bearings! understanding! direction! and practical examples. In Letters to a Young Activist ! Gitlin looks back at his eventful life! recalling his experience as president of the formidable Students for a Democratic Society in the'60s! contemplating the spirit of activism! and arriving at some principles of action to guide the passion and energy of those wishing to do good. Through a series of letters! he imparts to a new generation of radicals and activists the passion he felt as an angry young man and the wisdom he has attained as a mature political writer! teacher! and father. Gitlin considers the three complementary motives of duty! love! and adventure! reflects on the changing nature of idealism! and shows how righteous action requires realistic as well as idealistic thinking. And he looks forward to an uncertain future that is nevertheless full of possibility! a future where patriotism and intelligent skepticism are not mutually exclusive. With compassion and hard-won insight! Gitlin invites the young activist to enter imaginatively into some of the dilemmas! moral and practical! of being a modern citizen- the dilemmas that affect not only the problems of what to think but also the problems of what to love and how to live. "These thoughtful, humane essays on issues like idealism, identity politics and the legacy of the 60's merit an audience beyond the campuses and coffee shops. Gitlin's intellectual style is nimble and open-minded, the antithesis of pedantic."-The New York Times Zusammenfassung "Be original. See what happens." So Todd Gitlin advises the young mind burning to take action to right the wrongs of the world but also looking for bearings, understanding, direction, and practical examples. In Letters to a Young Activist , Todd Gitlin looks back at his eventful life, recalling his experience as president of the formidable Students for a Democratic Society in the '60s, contemplating the spirit of activism, and arriving at some principles of action to guide the passion and energy of those wishing to do good. He considers the three complementary motives of duty, love, and adventure, and reflects on the changing nature of idealism and how righteous action requires realistic as well as idealistic thinking. And he looks forward to an uncertain future that is nevertheless full of possibility, a future where patriotism and intelligent skepticism are not mutually exclusive. Gitlin invites the young activist to enter imaginatively into some of the dilemmas, moral and practical, of being a modern citizen -- the dilemmas that affect not only the problems of what to think but also the problems of what to love and how to live....
