Doug McAdam is Professor of Sociology at the University of Arizona and author of Political Process and the Development of Black Insurgency, 1930-1970.
"A fascinating blend of theory, biography, and history that gives a
sociological account of an era with real people rather than
abstractions. With solid research, he shows that one summer for
1,000 people has had a national, if not international, impact in
ways obscured before this research. A first class work that not
only informs, but moves."--Donald A. Maxam, Central College
"A first-rate, in-depth study of the young men and women who risked
their lives for freedom in Mississippi in 1964."--Tom Hayden, State
Assembly, Sacramento, California
"The heart of Freedom Summer is...McAdam's account of what happened
to the volunteers after the Summer Project ended. We have, McAdam
argues, been seduced by the media into seeing the activists of the
1960s as men and women who rebelled in their youth and then turned
around and became yuppies. McAdam's great contribution is to show
that no such generational selling-out occurred."--The Nation
"[McAdam] does not lose sight of black leadership and conveys an
honest--not romanticized or patronizing--respect for it....The
heart of McAdam's contribution lies in his uncommon sense of
interdependence and linkage....In the struggle to shine light on
this nation's racial history, Doug McAdam has illuminated a piece
of the picture with unusual scope and sharpness."--San Francisco
Review of Books
"An original work on an important topic."--Matthew Schneirov,
Duquesne University
"This book is a real eye opener for students who need to learn
about the Civil Rights Movement."--Cheryl Townsend Gilkes, Colby
College
"What distinguishes this book is the voices of the volunteers which
speak from the pages....An extremely interesting, readable account
of the summer of 1964. It is clearly written, detailed, and well
documented; enlivened by the words of those who experienced that
summer."--The Tampa Tribune-Times
"McAdam captures what it was like to be on the front lines of the
civil rights struggle in Mississippi....Basic reading for those
interested in social movements and protest politics."--Contemporary
Sociology
"An astonishing piece of research....A marvelous narrative of the
Freedom Summer experience."--The Progressive
"In Freedom Summer, Doug McAdam illustrates the radical education
experienced by the volunteers and the tremendous impact that
Freedom Summer had, and still has, on our lives. McAdam interviewed
348 of the 566 volunteers, often traveling around the country to
meet with them personally, and he compiled fascinating data on what
inspired the volunteers to participate in the project, what it was
like once they arrived and how their participation
influenced the direction of their lives."--San Francisco
Chronicle
"In this rich, sophisticated account, McAdam has convincingly
analyzed the connections between 'Freedom Summer' and subsequent
'new left' movements in the late 1960s and early 1970s....A major
contribution."--Library Journal
"Here, at last, is a book on the politics of the sixties based on
hard data rather than mere introspection or armchair speculation.
McAdam deftly reveals why privileged white American youth
participated in Freedom Summer, and how this involvement helped
shape their lives. Further, he shows that Freedom Summer served as
a crucible for radical activists of an entire generation. A model
of sociologically informed analysis."--Michael Hechter, University
of
Arizona
"Exemplary and illuminating...will be must reading for all who are
interested in the civil rights movement or in the study of American
reform movements....Lucidly written....An altogether extraordinary
volume."--August Meier, Kent State University
"McAdam presents a sympathetic and senssitive portrait of a
permanently radicalized group....His work continues to reward
careful historians."--American Historical Review
"Excellent resource for giving students insight into a first class
study of an episode within the history of a movement. Well written
and accessible to students."--Thomas Hood, Ph.D., University of
Tennessee
"This is a great book for both introducing clear sociological
analysis and inspiring students to believe that they can impact the
world around them. I'm using it as the first text in an Honors
sociology course. I loved this book in grad school and still now as
I read it again."--Mark Edwards, Assistant Professor, Oregon State
University
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