Bob Thomson, retired founder of Fair Trade Canada
Excerpt of the full review: “Murray introduces these stories personal histories as examples of his own and other individual actions, evolving and shaping their lives, awakening and then acting through efforts to escape the classical ‘all American’ narrative of religion, politics, race, gender, military service and the draft, the corporate industrial complex, etc., etc. Having left this ‘bubble’ and worked in Nicaragua for five years and then ‘evolving’ as a progressive university professor and fair trade activist, Murray links these individual stories to not only show that a better world is possible, but in the hope that a new generation of activists will take heart from these examples to tackle the new threats of wars in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan, and the heat waves from global warming from fossil fuels. We need to recognize that, despite recent election setbacks and overwhelming neglect of these crises in the mainstream press, the pursuit of a better world is indeed possible, as shown by these examples of his (and my) generation.”
Life and Life Only, A Review, by Ron Jocobs, Counterpunch
Dr. Murray’s book is the second reviewed in the essay.
Pamela Kay Anderson, former Director, CGIAR Center, Peru
“Douglas Murray is a beautiful writer. His storytelling is powerful, and his ability to describe – people, places, events – is so vibrant. He writes in Technicolor. The stories and journeys that Murray shares with us brought waves of nostalgia for a time and a generation brimming with optimism and activism, as well as an honesty about those times that is refreshing. In our current, troubled times, We Can Change the World feels like a gentle call to the continued optimism and activism that is still so desperately needed. This read was like a massage for my soul.”
Katherine Yih, retired research scientist, School of Public Health, Harvard University
“I was blown away by the moral and almost spiritual significance and beauty of We Can Change the World. Dr. Murray has recorded deeply affecting stories from the remarkable period of history our generation lived through and influenced. In some, he brings to light the courage of modest, largely unknown people who’ve made major sacrifices for their principles and for humanity. Some are so full of sensory detail that you almost feel you were there. The description of his quest for the paper nautilus at the end is just lovely, rising to the level of a parable. I am ordering more copies of the book to give away to friends.”
Karen Walpole, Reader’s Favorite – 5 Stars
“Douglas L. Murray writes brilliantly and comprehensively about an idealistic and ambitious generation born of and influenced by an ideologically chaotic period of world history. I recommend this book to all baby boomers and those who came after.”
David Zeigler, filmmaker/director, Sir! No Sir!
“It’s amazing that the stories of the thousands and thousands of young people (and plenty of old ones, too) whose actions did indeed change the world, have remained untold…until now. Doug Murray has created an essential corrective to history as it is known. The stories are lively, vibrant, and essential to understanding not just the past, but the world we live in today.”
Margaret Randall, author of I Never Left Home: Poet, Feminist, Revolutionary
“I tried to put off reading We Can Change the World in order to get caught up with some deadlines. My mistake was reading the first page. I couldn’t stop. What an amazing book it is. It reawakens the tragic and beautiful magic realism that underpinned those years for so many of us.”
Craig McNamara, author of Because Our Fathers Lied: A Memoir of Truth and Family from Vietnam to Today
“Beautifully written by a gifted storyteller. We Can Change the World brings to life our generation’s triumphs, tragedies, and ongoing passion for social justice. Destined to be one of the summer’s best reads.”
Lauren Coodley, author of Upton Sinclair: California Socialist, Celebrity Intellectual
“A tribute to our generation, and an encouragement to moral imagination for those that follow.”
Read recent reviews of Professor Murray‘s book here.