Make Art Not War

Ralph Youngs Dissent: The History of an American Idea, published by New York University Press in 2015, invoked the daring spirit and moral resolve of the late Howard Zinn. Make Art, Not War is the essential visual companion to this instant classic. Drawing from thousands of compelling and provocative posters housed in the famed Tamiment Poster and Broadside Collection, Young presents a centurys worth of fierce dissent and unyielding opposition to hate, sexism, war, fascism, homophobia, and racism. This is the coffee table book for the Bernie moment. ~Bryant Simon,Temple University

The story of American dissent movements, so often expressed in word, also has a rich visual legacy brought to life in this volume curated by master historian Ralph Young. His general narrative and image specific commentary brings these images to life, making their stories relevant for a new generation continuing the age old tradition of dissent in America. ~Bobby A. Wintermute,Queens College - City University of New York

This collection of postersa sampling of the art and design of dissentis a wonderful visual counterpart to the protest music of the age. Every page should provoke discussion. ~Beth Bailey,Foundation Professor, Department of History, University of Kansas

What a wonderful collection! Make Art, Not War combines the aesthetic with the political to show how the arts and culture have informed and protested social injustices and wars. Often, art and culture are the first ways we learn of politics and dissent. More than heavy theoretical tomes, we can see, in a poster or painting, powerful statements on racism, sexism, homophobia, or war. Bruce Springsteen sang I learned more from a three-minute record than I ever learned in school," and the same is true of Ralph Young's smart and incisive essay and the art presented. It's educational and not heavy, anger-inducing but not shrill. ~Robert Buzzanco ,author of Masters of War: Military Dissent and Politics in the Vietnam Era

Historian Ralph Young has presented a valuable collection of 20th century American political posters...Young's selection is a useful historical and thematic cross section. ~Truthdig.com