If We Burn: The Mass Protest Decade and the Missing Revolution

If We Burn: The Mass Protest Decade and the Missing Revolution by Vincent Bevins delves deeply into the world-shaking mass protests that defined the second decade of the twenty-first century. Through a meticulous examination of uprisings from the Arab Spring to Hong Kong's student rebellions, Bevins explores why, despite the fervent activity, these protests so often failed to achieve their intended outcomes. Instead of resulting in the desired systemic changes, many of these movements led to disappointment, with some even exacerbating the very issues they sought to resolve.

From 2010 to 2020, more people took to the streets than at any other point in human history. The book seeks to understand why success was so elusive during this vibrant period of social activism. Vincent Bevins, a celebrated journalist, embarks on an investigative journey, interviewing hundreds of individuals worldwide. The narrative weaves together their personal experiences and insights, shedding light on the paradoxical aftermath of these mass demonstrations.

Bevins recounts his unsettling experiences in Brazil where a protest movement initiated by leftists and anarchists eventually led to the rise of a far-right government that devastated the Amazon rainforest. This account is emblematic of the broader, ironic twist that many of these mass movements endured — passionate efforts for progressive change resulting in regressive or even catastrophic outcomes.

The journalist’s clear-eyed, sympathetic portrayal of these global events offers readers a comprehensive understanding of the unfulfilled promises of these protests. Acclaimed figures like Rob Delaney have lauded If We Burn as a piece of extraordinary journalism, stating, "it would be criminally negligent not to read it if you'd like to change the world."

Critics like Merve Emre praise the book for leaving its readers with "a bold vision of the future," reflecting on the vast potential yet to be realised from these movements. The book stands as a poignant, critical examination of a decade marked by profound unrest and a deep, collective yearning for change.

Greg Grandin's description of the work as "a stunning history of now" encapsulates its relevance and urgency. If We Burn is more than just a historical recount; it is a vital resource for anyone looking to comprehend the complexities of modern geopolitics and the unfinished work of global protests.

In this ground-breaking book, Bevins provides an essential guide for understanding the powerful yet incomplete actions that have shaped our current world. If We Burn is an invitation to learn from recent history, to glean critical lessons from those who marched and rallied, and to find inspiration for building a better future.

This book is phenomenal ... It's about as good as journalism gets ... The highest praise I can give If We Burn is to say that it would be criminally negligent not to read it if you'd like to change the world. - ROB DELANEY

Bevins's clear-eyed, sympathetic account of the unfulfilled promise of these protests leaves his reader with a bold vision of the future. - MERVE EMRE

A stunning history of now. - GREG GRANDIN