Surmountable is the first book explicitly written for the millions of people whohave taken part in protests or demonstrations but were left wondering what theyachieved, and the millions more who sat out events because they questioned thepotential for results. The book addresses these lingering doubts and offers apowerful response in the voices of front line social activists, political thoughtleaders, and every day citizens. Surmountable chronicles the victories and setbacksof ten American and three international civic movements from the past century.Authors Brian Gruber and Adam Monier Edwards uncover the details behind some ofhistory''s most iconic events such as the Selma to Montgomery marches for civilrights, lesser known successes including one man''s mission to resurrect anunratified Constitutional amendment, and insights from how citizens overcameseemingly insurmountable odds to achieve their goals. We visited 15 cities acrossfour continents near where history was made to seek answers to burning questionssuch as: Is there an effective playbook for the modern activist? How are successesand failures measured? How universal are the value in the U.S. Constitution? Whatcan we learn from activists from outside the U.S.? Selected interviewees include:Lucy Beard, Alice Paul Institute executive director Sam Walker, National VotingRights Museum and Institute historian Colleen Sheehan, Villanova Universityprofessor, Heritage Foundation scholar, and 5-time author Dr. Todd Gitlin, ColumbiaUniversity professor, sociologist, and 16-time author Gregory Watson, legislativeanalyst and driving force behind the 27th Amendment Brewster Kahle, Internet Archivefounder and Alexa Internet co-founder Lamine Alibi, Tunisia Patriotic DemocraticUnity Party central committee member Kalle Lasn, Adbusters co-founder and OccupyWall Street co-creator Sergii Kharchuk, Euromaidan activist and Kyiv city councilmanDr. Hong-koo Han, Sungkonghoe University professor of Korean history and author JayO''Neal, West Virginia teacher strike leader LaDonna Brave Bull Allard, Lakotahistorian, Standing Rock activist, and NoDAPL movement co-founder
