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Still Hopeful: Lessons from a Lifetime of Activism
"Canada's best-known voice of dissent." -- CBC "It's time we listened to the Maude Barlows of the world." -- CNN In this timely book, Barlow counters the prevailing atmosphere of pessimism that surrounds us and offers lessons of hope that she has learned from a lifetime of activism. She has been a linchpin in three major movements in her life: second-wave feminism, the battle against free trade and globalization, and the global fight for water justice. From each of these she draws her lessons of hope, emphasizing that effective activism is not really about the goal, rather it is about building a movement and finding like-minded people to carry the load with you. Barlow knows firsthand how hard fighting for change can be. But she also knows that change does happen and that hope is the essential ingredient.
240 pages, Paperback
First published March 8, 2022
27 people are currently reading
267 people want to read
About the author
Maude Barlow
47 books33 followersMaude Barlow is the bestselling author of 20 books. She sits on the board of Food & Water Watch, the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature, and is a counselor with the World Future Council. She served as senior water advisor to the UN General Assembly and was a leader in the campaign to have water recognized as a human right. She is the recipient of fourteen honorary doctorates, the Right Livelihood Award and is the current chancellor of Brescia University. She lives in Ottawa, Ontario.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
September 1, 2022
Maude to the rescue once again in my life… one of my Canadian heroines.
This has helped heal what ails me… with my own personal loss of hope over these past couple of years… the cumulative losses which fully coalesced and came barreling down to entirely crush me with Roe V Wade earlier this spring.
This like a condensed version of my World Issues course… a trip down memory lane. Let’s face it, Vandana Shiva comes up almost right off the top… how can this not be great? I learned a lot about some initiatives that I’ve missed by having been out of the classroom for over a decade - and less focused on some of the issues.
But it prompted me to stop - search (thank goodness for the internet) - and revisit some of my favourite pieces of writing and favourite documentaries.
It reminded me to look at the big picture of what had changed over the course of my lifetime.
It reminded me that it takes time - baby steps - and that I can only do what I can do and that the impact of much that I do - or have done - may not be evident until after I have long passed from this world.
There are a few times where I think she let government off the hook al little lightly - but I get that she accentuating the positive in this.
She reminds us of what really matters: Be kind. Quiet our egos. Build deep diversity. And, have hope.
FYI... I listened to the audiobook while on a few longer trips in the car recently... Only the second audiobook I have ever listened through in it's entirely - I really really really don't like them.... But this one... Loved it. Fabulous narration.
This has helped heal what ails me… with my own personal loss of hope over these past couple of years… the cumulative losses which fully coalesced and came barreling down to entirely crush me with Roe V Wade earlier this spring.
This like a condensed version of my World Issues course… a trip down memory lane. Let’s face it, Vandana Shiva comes up almost right off the top… how can this not be great? I learned a lot about some initiatives that I’ve missed by having been out of the classroom for over a decade - and less focused on some of the issues.
But it prompted me to stop - search (thank goodness for the internet) - and revisit some of my favourite pieces of writing and favourite documentaries.
It reminded me to look at the big picture of what had changed over the course of my lifetime.
It reminded me that it takes time - baby steps - and that I can only do what I can do and that the impact of much that I do - or have done - may not be evident until after I have long passed from this world.
There are a few times where I think she let government off the hook al little lightly - but I get that she accentuating the positive in this.
She reminds us of what really matters: Be kind. Quiet our egos. Build deep diversity. And, have hope.
FYI... I listened to the audiobook while on a few longer trips in the car recently... Only the second audiobook I have ever listened through in it's entirely - I really really really don't like them.... But this one... Loved it. Fabulous narration.
March 9, 2022
I was given this book by the publisher in the hope of a honest review. I will be honest. I am not finding it easy to be hopeful. I look around the world and see chaos. I see a future in ruins. I listen to the news, my friends, and social media and find my pessimism magnified. I needed this book. Therefore, I was pleased that the publisher invited me to see a copy of the arc. Last year I reviewed Maude Barlow’s book, whose water is it anyway?. I really liked it. I really liked this book too.
This book’s theme is hope. Not blind optimism, but a hope built on; small victories, lessons learnt from failure, and a life lived well. It is; part memoir, part activism manual, and a call to arms. The author mines her life in activism to outline how activists can find hope in; both victories and failures, the process of campaigns, and the companionship that she draws from her fellow activists.
This book’s theme is hope. Not blind optimism, but a hope built on; small victories, lessons learnt from failure, and a life lived well. It is an activist looking back over her shoulder and encouraging others to follow in her footsteps. Did I say that I loved this book? Read it.
This book’s theme is hope. Not blind optimism, but a hope built on; small victories, lessons learnt from failure, and a life lived well. It is; part memoir, part activism manual, and a call to arms. The author mines her life in activism to outline how activists can find hope in; both victories and failures, the process of campaigns, and the companionship that she draws from her fellow activists.
This book’s theme is hope. Not blind optimism, but a hope built on; small victories, lessons learnt from failure, and a life lived well. It is an activist looking back over her shoulder and encouraging others to follow in her footsteps. Did I say that I loved this book? Read it.
October 17, 2022
A great inspiration and source of perspective for activists.
She distills this into five points:
"1. Governments and other powerful institutions are not going to give up power without a fight. Rights have to be fought for and taken.
2. Oppressed peoples often internalize negative stereotypes about themselves and have to consciously reject them and support one another in creating new self-narratives.
3. Gaining rights through a new law or court case, or a human rights or charter challenge, does not end the struggle. In many cases, it has just begun, and there will almost certainly be a backlash.
4. Don’t wait for a path to be well trodden before you set out on it. You can be the one to walk it first.
5. Go to the heart of the human story if you want to break down silos and come together in common cause."
She distills this into five points:
"1. Governments and other powerful institutions are not going to give up power without a fight. Rights have to be fought for and taken.
2. Oppressed peoples often internalize negative stereotypes about themselves and have to consciously reject them and support one another in creating new self-narratives.
3. Gaining rights through a new law or court case, or a human rights or charter challenge, does not end the struggle. In many cases, it has just begun, and there will almost certainly be a backlash.
4. Don’t wait for a path to be well trodden before you set out on it. You can be the one to walk it first.
5. Go to the heart of the human story if you want to break down silos and come together in common cause."
July 5, 2024
This gave me heart, especially the last few chapters. It’s a bleak world but there are some very inspiring movements happening. 🌏
June 19, 2025
If I read this a couple years ago I would’ve been inspired … now not so much.
February 8, 2026
3.5 Maude, you are badass. The world is better place because of you. I wish this book had made me feel hopeful.
February 10, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
I saw this author in a webinar last fall with several other authors of social justice related books and was excited to read this, and I enjoyed it very much. I found the author's progression through causes from feminism to water and environmental issues really interesting, and I especially liked the lessons that the author drew from her experiences, and the small sections where she had comments from other people she'd worked with. (the formatting of these boxes was terrible in the ARC but I am sure that will be fixed in the final product.) It can be hard to keep hope when most people around you don't seem to even understand the depth of the problems around us, and books like this can help shine a light when we need it. Loved the author contributing her experience to this.
I saw this author in a webinar last fall with several other authors of social justice related books and was excited to read this, and I enjoyed it very much. I found the author's progression through causes from feminism to water and environmental issues really interesting, and I especially liked the lessons that the author drew from her experiences, and the small sections where she had comments from other people she'd worked with. (the formatting of these boxes was terrible in the ARC but I am sure that will be fixed in the final product.) It can be hard to keep hope when most people around you don't seem to even understand the depth of the problems around us, and books like this can help shine a light when we need it. Loved the author contributing her experience to this.
March 4, 2022
I really love how the author connected feminism with current environmental issues. It was fascinating to read about her perspective on what she has been researching and working on her whole life. I love that she inserted pieces of her personal life. How she struggled getting people to respect her opinions and view her as an equal.
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June 28, 2023A good book to read if you are feeling less hope about the state of the world and burnout from activism. No magic answers but a belief in small actions by ordinary people to move the world forward.
June 24, 2022
This book has been a personal journey, for it has reminded me of the possibility of the human spirit to change and thus for the world to change.
from Still Hopeful by Maude Barlow
Maude Barlow has been a social justice activist for over forty years. Her parents were activists. Barlow worked for women’s equality, against globalization’s disastrous impact, and for water justice. Out of this lifetime of experience she offers this memoir of her personal journey, which is also a guidebook for activists and inspiration to remain hopeful. Still Hopeful shares the history of how activists have motivated change in the past and how we can impact change for the future.
It is easy to give up and lose hope for change. The push back is stronger the closer society comes to breaking out into something new. We see this every day on the news. Reactionaries rolling back advancements, while the people rise up in protest. It’s hard not to just give in to pessimism or hopelessness.
Hope is born of radical uncertainty, rooted in the unknown and the unknowable, Barlow quotes from a speech by Joan Halifax. We don’t know the impact our actions have on others and on the future. “Hope is a gamble,” Barlow quotes from Rebecca Solnit, a bet on the future. “Giving up hope for change is to condemn so many others to misery,” Barlow warns.
But how do we keep hope? One way is to remember how humanity survived past crises. This particularly speaks to me. As a reader of history, I know how society has veered off into darkness and corrected its path again.
Sharing her work in her three areas of activism, Barlow shows the challenges, the work, and the outcome of collective activism.
The first section reflects on her work in the women’s movement, particularly in her home country of Canada. “Rights have to be fought for and taken,” was her first lesson. A law doesn’t end a problem, it’s a beginning.
…the struggle for justice is ongoing and never over.
from Still Hopeful by Maude Barlow
I previously read Barlow’s book Whose Water Is It Anyways? about the grass roots movement against privatization of water. Water as a ‘tradeable good’ is a huge threat to local communities who can’t afford to pay for clean water. She ends the chapter with advice on preventing activist burn-out.
I found most interesting the chapter “Challenging Corporate Rule,” the negative impact of deregulation, privatization, free trade, and the WTO. It’s an area I didn’t know deeply. I remember when the ‘global economy’ was considered a positive move. Barlow made the economics and their impact on poor countries understandable and moving. Covid has shown the drawbacks when a country can’t manufacture needed medications and basic supplies.
The last chapter looks to the future; climate change countered by embracing Indigenous attitudes of long-range thinking, the restoration of ecosystems, embracing the rights of nature, changing how we eat. We must challenge the basic concept of unregulated growth and the idea that more is better, and center our concerns on human welfare.
The lessons are not applicable only to activists. My husband was a pastor whose work was to lead churches to grow and expand to meet the needs of the community. Resistance was strong. Leaders didn’t want to let ‘those people’ from the neighborhood into the church; they didn’t want to adapt new ways that included the needs of young adults; they were more concerned about those inside the church than the desperate needs of those outside. Burn-out was a part of his life. He was often demoralized.
Barlow’s memoir will be an inspiration to anyone with a vision of a better future.
I received a free book from the publisher. My review is fair and unbiased.
from Still Hopeful by Maude Barlow
Maude Barlow has been a social justice activist for over forty years. Her parents were activists. Barlow worked for women’s equality, against globalization’s disastrous impact, and for water justice. Out of this lifetime of experience she offers this memoir of her personal journey, which is also a guidebook for activists and inspiration to remain hopeful. Still Hopeful shares the history of how activists have motivated change in the past and how we can impact change for the future.
It is easy to give up and lose hope for change. The push back is stronger the closer society comes to breaking out into something new. We see this every day on the news. Reactionaries rolling back advancements, while the people rise up in protest. It’s hard not to just give in to pessimism or hopelessness.
Hope is born of radical uncertainty, rooted in the unknown and the unknowable, Barlow quotes from a speech by Joan Halifax. We don’t know the impact our actions have on others and on the future. “Hope is a gamble,” Barlow quotes from Rebecca Solnit, a bet on the future. “Giving up hope for change is to condemn so many others to misery,” Barlow warns.
But how do we keep hope? One way is to remember how humanity survived past crises. This particularly speaks to me. As a reader of history, I know how society has veered off into darkness and corrected its path again.
Sharing her work in her three areas of activism, Barlow shows the challenges, the work, and the outcome of collective activism.
The first section reflects on her work in the women’s movement, particularly in her home country of Canada. “Rights have to be fought for and taken,” was her first lesson. A law doesn’t end a problem, it’s a beginning.
…the struggle for justice is ongoing and never over.
from Still Hopeful by Maude Barlow
I previously read Barlow’s book Whose Water Is It Anyways? about the grass roots movement against privatization of water. Water as a ‘tradeable good’ is a huge threat to local communities who can’t afford to pay for clean water. She ends the chapter with advice on preventing activist burn-out.
I found most interesting the chapter “Challenging Corporate Rule,” the negative impact of deregulation, privatization, free trade, and the WTO. It’s an area I didn’t know deeply. I remember when the ‘global economy’ was considered a positive move. Barlow made the economics and their impact on poor countries understandable and moving. Covid has shown the drawbacks when a country can’t manufacture needed medications and basic supplies.
The last chapter looks to the future; climate change countered by embracing Indigenous attitudes of long-range thinking, the restoration of ecosystems, embracing the rights of nature, changing how we eat. We must challenge the basic concept of unregulated growth and the idea that more is better, and center our concerns on human welfare.
The lessons are not applicable only to activists. My husband was a pastor whose work was to lead churches to grow and expand to meet the needs of the community. Resistance was strong. Leaders didn’t want to let ‘those people’ from the neighborhood into the church; they didn’t want to adapt new ways that included the needs of young adults; they were more concerned about those inside the church than the desperate needs of those outside. Burn-out was a part of his life. He was often demoralized.
Barlow’s memoir will be an inspiration to anyone with a vision of a better future.
I received a free book from the publisher. My review is fair and unbiased.
September 25, 2022
This book is current and it is hopeful. In a world where climate related disasters are everywhere, hate crimes seemingly on the rise, and the growth of populism hijacking how we define freedom and patriotism, it would be easy to give in to despair.
But along comes Maude Barlow with a lifetime of climate and social justice activism to her credit, a long view of the historical progress of our political and economic systems, and a hope-springs-eternal optimism, and suddenly things look much brighter than one might realize.
Although Barlow does not spare her sharp criticism of systems and leaders who have contributed to the wide array of social, economic, and climate injustices we see today (which she persuasively argues are essentially interrelated), she is also quick to credit the long line of leaders and activists that she is convinced are helping us turn the corner. In so doing, she abides by the wisdom of one of my most influential mentors, Richard Rohr, in his claim that “the best criticism of the bad is the practice of the better”.
I was drawn to this book when I learned that the author is the founder of the Council of Canadians. Their mission is to “bring people together through collective activism and grassroots organizing to challenge corporate power and advocate for people, the planet, and our democracy”. Before we moved to Nanaimo, a few members of our future cohousing community invited me to join the Nanaimo local chapter. Over the next year from our home in Quesnel, I participated in their monthly Zoom calls and during a visit to Nanaimo, followed a local initiative to advocate for Nanaimo City Council to adopt a new bylaw to prohibit natural gas installations in new buildings.
Social and political activism has not been part of my life so far. To be honest, it sort of scares me to get too involved, to participate in marches, or to speak up at meetings and forums. But I am also learning that I do not act alone. Reading books like this and participating in organizations like CofC is to be part of a growing community that shares my ideals and convictions and is prepared to act on them together.
But along comes Maude Barlow with a lifetime of climate and social justice activism to her credit, a long view of the historical progress of our political and economic systems, and a hope-springs-eternal optimism, and suddenly things look much brighter than one might realize.
Although Barlow does not spare her sharp criticism of systems and leaders who have contributed to the wide array of social, economic, and climate injustices we see today (which she persuasively argues are essentially interrelated), she is also quick to credit the long line of leaders and activists that she is convinced are helping us turn the corner. In so doing, she abides by the wisdom of one of my most influential mentors, Richard Rohr, in his claim that “the best criticism of the bad is the practice of the better”.
I was drawn to this book when I learned that the author is the founder of the Council of Canadians. Their mission is to “bring people together through collective activism and grassroots organizing to challenge corporate power and advocate for people, the planet, and our democracy”. Before we moved to Nanaimo, a few members of our future cohousing community invited me to join the Nanaimo local chapter. Over the next year from our home in Quesnel, I participated in their monthly Zoom calls and during a visit to Nanaimo, followed a local initiative to advocate for Nanaimo City Council to adopt a new bylaw to prohibit natural gas installations in new buildings.
Social and political activism has not been part of my life so far. To be honest, it sort of scares me to get too involved, to participate in marches, or to speak up at meetings and forums. But I am also learning that I do not act alone. Reading books like this and participating in organizations like CofC is to be part of a growing community that shares my ideals and convictions and is prepared to act on them together.
May 20, 2022
STILL HOPEFUL is not a book that fits neatly into any single category. Part autobiography, part activist handbook, part history lesson, it delivers a fascinating personal overview of contemporary activism, highlighting the extraordinary dedication and thought processes demanded to achieve success (or, more simply, a fair deal for all of us who inhabit this planet). More often than not, it's a game of inches.
Open-eyed, frank, and often brutal in its depiction of Barlow's experiences both behind the scenes and on the front lines, STILL HOPEFUL is a must-read for anyone who wonders how this planet of ours came to be in its current, often depressing state. The environment. Poverty. Water rights. Politics. Global trade and banking. The rise of populism. Barlow addresses it all in a clear and compelling voice. Most of all, Barlow's words are a call to action for those who prefer to see what can be rather than meekly accept what is.
The only aspect of this book I cannot share with Maude Barlow is the enduring sense of hopefulness she repeatedly expresses. Nonetheless, she inspires. The fact she has yet to be honored with the Order of Canada is an egregious oversight on the part of this country's leadership. Then again, this lack of recognition might well underscore just how effective Maude's efforts have been in unsettling the ruling class. Yes, I recommend STILL HOPEFUL. Most definitely.
Open-eyed, frank, and often brutal in its depiction of Barlow's experiences both behind the scenes and on the front lines, STILL HOPEFUL is a must-read for anyone who wonders how this planet of ours came to be in its current, often depressing state. The environment. Poverty. Water rights. Politics. Global trade and banking. The rise of populism. Barlow addresses it all in a clear and compelling voice. Most of all, Barlow's words are a call to action for those who prefer to see what can be rather than meekly accept what is.
The only aspect of this book I cannot share with Maude Barlow is the enduring sense of hopefulness she repeatedly expresses. Nonetheless, she inspires. The fact she has yet to be honored with the Order of Canada is an egregious oversight on the part of this country's leadership. Then again, this lack of recognition might well underscore just how effective Maude's efforts have been in unsettling the ruling class. Yes, I recommend STILL HOPEFUL. Most definitely.
May 5, 2025
This memoir / advice book is interesting when we read about the author’s activist experiences, as she is truly influential and was part of several of the biggest progressive movements in and outside of Canada. I think where the book gets a little less enjoyable is when the author expounds on what gives her hope, as mostly it’s a lot of references to people and programs one after the other, along with lots of quotes of activists and politicians. And considering this was written in 2022 by a Canadian and I read it as an American in 2024-2025, there are many US policies and laws that she cites as hopeful then but are either completely erased or manipulated by Trump 2.0 to a degree that renders them utterly useless today, and on top of that, whole institutions like EPA and landmark environmental laws like the endangered species act are now existentially threatened like never before. There is no agreed upon plastics treaty. So to put it mildly I do not feel hopeful at the end of this book. Instead I forgive the author for her earnest hope and prediction that the world was, after COVID, generally heading in a more justice- centered direction. I remember feeling something like that in early 2022. But with over 30 years of experience in activism, I guess I expected her to temper her hope with the reality of backlash and thoughts about how we might deal with it.
May 29, 2025
3.5⭐️I stumbled across this on Libby, having never heard of Maude Barlow before—and I’m so glad I did. Barlow is a lifelong activist whose voice and message in Still Hopeful were exactly what I needed in the middle of what often feels like a dumpster fire of a world. Her reflections on decades of advocacy work—fighting for water justice, human rights, and environmental sustainability—were not only inspiring but deeply grounding.
What stood out most was her unwavering belief that hope is not naive or passive; it’s a powerful, active choice. A few key lessons I took from the book:
• Small actions matter. Even when global change feels out of reach, local wins and grassroots efforts make a real difference.
• Community is everything. We are stronger when we stand together—and building alliances across causes strengthens all of them.
• Don’t quit just because it’s hard. Progress is slow, messy, and filled with setbacks—but that doesn’t mean it’s not happening.
Barlow reminded me that hope isn’t pretending things are fine—it’s continuing to show up, speak out, and fight for what’s right, even when things feel bleak. If you’re an activist, an advocate, or just someone trying to hold onto a bit of light in dark times, this one is worth your time.
What stood out most was her unwavering belief that hope is not naive or passive; it’s a powerful, active choice. A few key lessons I took from the book:
• Small actions matter. Even when global change feels out of reach, local wins and grassroots efforts make a real difference.
• Community is everything. We are stronger when we stand together—and building alliances across causes strengthens all of them.
• Don’t quit just because it’s hard. Progress is slow, messy, and filled with setbacks—but that doesn’t mean it’s not happening.
Barlow reminded me that hope isn’t pretending things are fine—it’s continuing to show up, speak out, and fight for what’s right, even when things feel bleak. If you’re an activist, an advocate, or just someone trying to hold onto a bit of light in dark times, this one is worth your time.
October 31, 2022
While there were some really important lessons to be learned from this book and the stories shared by the author, there were sections that were so long-winded and driven by the urgency of a call-to-action narrative that I had trouble finding the hope that the author is so adamant is pivotal to success in activism.
Maybe my problem is that the activists that I know and work with have lost their sense of hope and condemn the people around them for that loss, and I think I put too much in terms of expectation on the narrative of this book. I was hoping to pass it on to my aforementioned acquaintances, but I am reconsidering the action as it may just add fuel to their current fire rather than helping to douse it a bit and re-awaken their sense of hope.
All in all, not a bad read by any means, but I don't think it was the right read for me.
Maybe my problem is that the activists that I know and work with have lost their sense of hope and condemn the people around them for that loss, and I think I put too much in terms of expectation on the narrative of this book. I was hoping to pass it on to my aforementioned acquaintances, but I am reconsidering the action as it may just add fuel to their current fire rather than helping to douse it a bit and re-awaken their sense of hope.
All in all, not a bad read by any means, but I don't think it was the right read for me.
February 16, 2025
How timely that this book entered my library at such a crossroads in history. Ms Barlow has the perfect chapter on the beginnings of the trade deals between Canada/US paving the way towards global trade deals. (spoiler she fought against these deals which ultimately lead to losses in Canadian manufacturing jobs and product sales) Paradoxically we are going to lose jobs again in the current political climate.
She was an early champion of women's rights and a founding member of the Council of Canadians, whose mission is to "Bring people together through collective action and grassroots organizing to challenge corporate power and advocate for people, the planet and our democracy".
Her best work has been done advocating for water justice. How amazing that Canada has such a tireless woman fighting corporate abuse of water rights.
Thank you Maude for all your work!
She was an early champion of women's rights and a founding member of the Council of Canadians, whose mission is to "Bring people together through collective action and grassroots organizing to challenge corporate power and advocate for people, the planet and our democracy".
Her best work has been done advocating for water justice. How amazing that Canada has such a tireless woman fighting corporate abuse of water rights.
Thank you Maude for all your work!
November 16, 2022
This is wonderful wise advice from a lifelong love of activism. Everyone should read this book!!!! Barlow includes wins and losses throughout her life. She also gives advice about how we should live and why activism is so important. Our best hope to stop global warming is totally achievable will some small steps by us if we would only take those steps. We need to stop buying bottled water which most of us know but don't follow. Our need for cheap goods that comes from China will be our undoing. Sit up and take notice of what is happening around us, if you don't know where to start, start with this book.
August 28, 2023
the most interesting things to come out of this book for me were a) the idea that pessimism and optimism are both similar in that they imply a lack of engagement; to choose to view what is happening either through a positive or negative lens, but not being actively involved, whereas hope inherently involves engagement; and b) the examples of climate action that have been successful near the end of the book were so needed. I didn't know how much until I got emotional lmao. Truly, we need to talk about successes and solutions more. Otherwise, it's easy to believe that we are always losing this fight.
September 30, 2024
In Still Hopeful, Maude Barlow looks back at her activism with second-wave feminism, fighting free trade and globalization, and water justice. She counters the current wave of pessimism in the world with reasons we need to be hopeful and to use that hope to continue fighting for what is right.
Hope is something the world needs in spades right now. It was nice to be reminded that change can happen, though it takes patience. I enjoyed learning about Maude Barlow’s life in activism. Barbara Saxberg did a nice job narrating the audiobook.
Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an audio ARC of this book.
Hope is something the world needs in spades right now. It was nice to be reminded that change can happen, though it takes patience. I enjoyed learning about Maude Barlow’s life in activism. Barbara Saxberg did a nice job narrating the audiobook.
Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an audio ARC of this book.
October 27, 2022
I listened to this audiobook on Libby. It chronicles Barlow’s impressive lifetime of activism in women’s rights, environmentalism, and fighting globalization. I admire the hard work she has put forth in fighting giant systems and organizations. However, I disagreed with a lot of her philosophies. I enjoyed the Canadian perspective on these issues, as I am unfamiliar with them. She calls for listening to those in the fight and building community. Do I have more hope for the future after reading this? No. Not really. Perhaps I need to find my activist community.
July 26, 2023
A good book shows you how to think in different ways. There are so many nuggets, that I couldn't list them all and I will likely need to buy the print version for my book collection. One concept is about the four enormous earthquakes that our society is facing in the coming decades: rising economic inequality and economic insecurity, the growing movement of people chiefly economic migrants and refugees, the climate crisis, and normative threat: when people see change in their status, income or social or cultural norms as a threat to their way of life.
December 16, 2022
A book about a lifetime of activism: how it's changed, stayed the same, and why we should keep fighting for a better world.
Many activist books talk about the facts, and stories, issues, and struggles. But I like that this book combines those elements with the feelings of what it's like to be that activist. The activist who fights, and loses, but still has hope for the future.
An important lesson for the next generation.
Many activist books talk about the facts, and stories, issues, and struggles. But I like that this book combines those elements with the feelings of what it's like to be that activist. The activist who fights, and loses, but still has hope for the future.
An important lesson for the next generation.
January 1, 2023
Nor My Style
I struggled to stay focused while reading this book, a selection for a book group. She has a few issues, such as municipalization of water resources, that she hammers on every chance she gets. She is an advocate of mitigating climate change, and providing a livable wage for all. It’s not that I disagree with her, as usually she is correct, but it’s not an entertaining read.
I struggled to stay focused while reading this book, a selection for a book group. She has a few issues, such as municipalization of water resources, that she hammers on every chance she gets. She is an advocate of mitigating climate change, and providing a livable wage for all. It’s not that I disagree with her, as usually she is correct, but it’s not an entertaining read.
November 11, 2024
This book made me the opposite of hopeful. It reads like a history of the failures of the moderate left in Canada who brought us hits like women in the military (go, active combat!), voluntary corporate compliance with reducing single use plastic (including Nestle and Amazon!), getting women sent to better (?) prisons, and being critical but not effectively organizing against free trade (better luck with NAFTA the sequel).
January 1, 2023
I learned a lot from this book. And I was encouraged in my personal/professional areas of encouraging change. Lots of canadian content and info but also lots of global context. I had 2 read this book in 2 chunks due to library demand. But the 6 week break in the middle wasnt a problem.
May 3, 2023
I'm not at all sure "hopeful" should be in the title of this book, but other than that I found this to be a well written, thoughtful, accessible book. It is depressing, but nonetheless, an important read.
February 17, 2025
I listened to the audiobook version and felt inspired by Maude's life of activism. Within today's political and economic climate, it is hard to stay hopeful, so this book was a fabulous reminder for me that progress is possible, and hope can be found in anxiety and fear.
October 30, 2022
Still Hopeful.
November 2, 2022
Found this to be a challenging book topic wise. Appreciated the insights that author wrote about as it related to activism.
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