Take This Book traces the history of the People’s Library at Occupy Wall Street, the heart of the movement’s Lower Manhattan encampment in 2011, as told to writer and independent journalist Melissa Gira Grant.
Founded in September 2011 in Zuccotti Park, and built from thousands of books shared freely with anyone who asked, the People’s Library was seized in November 2011, in a dead-of-night police raid, ending in tear gas, arrests and the destruction of the books.
As those who sought to destroy the Occupy movement targeted its books and their defenders, the People’s Library would rise again and again as a commitment to freedom.
“Many will claim to possess the gospel on the Occupy Movement, and there are as many stories and perspectives as there are stars in the sky. Take This Book is one of those stars, its credibility ensured by the fact that Melissa Gira Grant was there, and she reports what she saw with humor and empathy.”
– Nathan Larson, film composer and author, The Dewey Decimal System
“Those who were around for the early days and weeks of Occupy Wall Street know that, to really get it, you had to be there. But Take This Book ensures that even the most far-flung bibliophiles can be there too.”
– Nathan Schneider, author, Thank You, Anarchy: Notes from the Occupy Apocalypse, editor, Waging Nonviolence, Killing the Buddha
“Melissa Gira Grant’s essential, lively, first-hand account is infused with the love and spirit that guided the Occupy movement. Her chronicle deserves a prime place on the People’s shelf—and on yours!”
– Richard Kim, The Nation
This digital edition, available only from Glass Houses, includes both ePub and Mobi (Kindle-optimized) formats in one instantly downloadable, completely DRM free bundle.
GLASS 010
Digital Edition
ePub & Mobi
ISBN: 9780985189426
Published September 2013