Reviews and Praise for Somebody Should Do Something

"In 14 short, lucid chapters, their new book offers a framework and examples designed to activate the agency most people don’t realise they have."

—Noel Castree, The Conversation

"A must-read for anyone interested in escaping the demoralizing effects of pessimism, in favor of defining their own role in fighting for social change." 

—Thomas J. Davis, Library Review

"Persuasive and informative, the book includes a healthy dose of hopefulness."

—Pine Breaks, Foreword Reviews

“Perfectly poised to meet the moment, Somebody Should Do Something is a gem containing hope. Replete with stories from our own history and the best scientific evidence today, this book will change you into the both/and thinker that our time is calling us to be.” 

—Mahzarin R. Banaji, Richard Clarke Cabot Professor of Social Ethics, Harvard University

“I was excited to read a book that argues against the false choice between changing individuals vs. systems. Brownstein, Madva, and Kelly use stories and studies to offer a set of tools for a social change that addresses both levels of change at once. Their book takes aim at the 'pure uncut pessimism' that can paralyze people facing huge problems like climate change and racism. If we act on their suggestion to see people as interconnected parts of the system (not separate from one another or from the system), there is a chance for everyone to do something.”

—Elizabeth Levy Paluck, Eugene Higgins Professor of Psychology and Public Affairs, Deputy Director, Kahneman-Treisman Center for Behavioral Science & Public Policy, Princeton University

“What can individuals do to promote systemic social change? In this informative and lucid book, Brownstein, Madva, and Kelly document many compelling stories and case studies to advance the thesis that, contrary to a pervading sense of powerlessness, the roles we already inhabit often contain a potential for precipitating structural change, if only we can harness it. The case they make is an enlivening antidote to giving up.” 

—Miranda Fricker, Julius Silver Professor, New York University

“In Somebody Should Do Something, Michael Brownstein, Alex Madva, and Daniel Kelly neatly dispense with the false divide between individual action and systemic change. It’s an interesting read, full of lessons from groups ranging from Mothers Against Drunk Driving to the NRA and success stories like marriage equality and milk pasteurization. Most importantly, the book provides concrete suggestions for organizing, coalition-building, and finding your own place in creating change.” 

—Kate Marvel, author of Human Nature: Nine Ways to Feel About Our Changing Planet

“With clear prose and compelling stories, this book dissolves the do-gooder’s dilemma: whether to focus on the large-scale changes that no one person can accomplish, or on the individual changes that seem so paltry on their own. The authors compellingly argue for a third way forward, connecting personal choices to systemic transformation. The result is both persuasive and empowering—a template for social change.” 

—Tania Lombrozo, Professor, Department of Psychology, Princeton University