Civic movements are essential to Americans’ freedom and quality of life. Active citizens have led the way from the American Revolution to urban renewal. But fiery emotions and good intentions without skillful organization can lead to frustrated civic involvement. How can individual concerns be transformed into effective community action?

Jan Barry provides a pragmatic, common-sense handbook to civic action. Using case studies from his home state of New Jersey, Barry has crafted what he calls a “guidebook for creative improvement on the American dream.” He dissects civic actions such as environmental campaigns, mutual-help groups, neighborhood improvement projects, and a grassroots peace mission to Russia. Looking for patterns to explain successes and failures, Barry includes his own experiences as a Vietnam veteran peace activist to inspire and coach fledgling activists. The result is a wealth of practical, non-partisan information on membership recruitment, organizational skills, public speaking, lobbying, publicity, conflict resolution, and more. Rising above any particular political, social, or religious beliefs, Barry shows would-be activists how to confront one enduring truth —“Democracy is a lot harder to do  than it is to talk about or fight over.”

JAN BARRY is a journalist for the Bergen Record.

In his recently published book . . . Barry said movements for change didn't die with the 1960s, and he gives a glimpse of some of this emerging activism and provides a handbook for people seeking to deal with issues of their own. . . . His book covers everything from how to write a press release to how to organize a public event giving the same step-by-step instructions previously restricted to books on carpentry or plumbing. . . . Although Barry wrote his book for the general public, to provide local groups with the tools they need to make a difference in their communities, he also hopes that colleges will add it to their political sciences courses.

A Citizen's Guide to Grassroots Campaigns is a blast of fresh air, a wake-up reminder that the really great things in our world are built bit by bit by everyday folks like you and me. Here are remarkable stories of citizens changing the face of New Jersey for the better. And here's a straightforward, down-to-earth guide to how you too can make your mark.

This is the first book to demonstrate the strength of the civil society . . . in New Jersey. Civic leaders everywhere will find plenty of insights and solid organizational advice to help them mobilize their communities for change.

Barry has written a citizen's activist campaign guide based on case studies from his home state of New Jersey. . . . This guide will be most helpful organizing any kind of grassroots civic campaign and is especially useful for environmental campaigns.