Strategy & Soul: A Campaigner's Tale of Fighting Billionaires, Corrupt Officials, and Philadelphia Casinos - Paperback

by Daniel Hunter (Author)

When Daniel Hunter and Jethro Heiko began planning at a kitchen table, they knew that their movement would be outspent by hundreds of millions of dollars. They were up against powerful elected officials, private investigators, hired thugs, and the state supreme court. Even before they started, newspapers concluded the movement had no chance.This riveting David versus Goliath story is a rare first-person narrative, giving unparalled access to the behind-the-scenes of campaigns: the fervent worrying in late-night meetings, yelling matches behind church benches, and last-minute action planning outside judges' chambers.

It's in the heat of these moments that the nuances of strategy come to life, showing what it takes to overpower billionaires for a cause you believe in.

Written by an experienced and unusually self-reflective direct action organizer, this book might be the most enjoyable way you've ever empowered yourself to change the world.

Author Biography

Daniel Hunter pioneered a campaign to halt a politically-connected $650-million casino development project, teaching the city of Philadelphia of the power of direct action. His book about that campaign is a rare first-person narrative of direct action campaigning. It shows what a direct action campaign really looks and feels like, with abundant lessons about direct action strategy for other movements.

He's been a campaigner with groups ranging from Canadian postalworkers union, to Quaker-based groups fighting mountaintop removal, to Philadelphia campaigns for affordable housing. He is highly sought after as a trainer with Training for Change, focusing on long-term strategy development and training trainers in popular education.

His home is in West Philadelphia, PA, where he lives with his cherished life partner, dog, cat, and solar panels.