Alexandra Styron#8217;s parents-the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Sophie#8217;s Choice and his political activist wife, Rose-were, for half a century, leading players on the world#8217;s cultural stage. Alexandra was raised under both the halo of her father#8217;s brilliance and the long shadow of his troubled mind. From Styron#8217;s youth and precocious literary debut to the triumphs of his best-known books and on through his spiral into depression, Reading My Father portrays the epic sweep of an American artist#8217;s life. It is also a tale of filial love, beautifully written with humor, compassion, and grace.

Inspired by Abbie Hoffman’s radical classic, Steal This Book, author Alexandra Styron’s stirring call for resistance and citizen activism will be clearly heard by young people who don’t accept “it is what it is,” who want to make sure everybody gets an equal piece of the American pie, and who know that the future of the planet is now.
Styron’s irreverent and informative primer on how to make a difference is organized into three sections: The Why, The What, and The How. The book opens with a personal essay and a historic look at civil disobedience and teenage activism in America. That’s followed by a deep dive into several key issues: climate change, racial justice, women’s rights, LGBTQIA rights, immigration, religious understanding, and intersectionality. Each chapter includes a summary of key questions, interviews with movers and shakers-from celebrities to youth activists-and spotlights on progressive organizations. The book’s final section is packed with how-to advice on ways to engage, from group activities such as organizing, marching, rallying, and petitioning to individual actions like voting with your wallet, volunteering, talking with relatives with different viewpoints, and using social activism to get out a progressive message.