From the Back Cover
Read slowly and carefully John Rensenbrink's observations, thoughts, and urgings until you reach the frontiers of your own imaginations and energies and head into them confidently toward what Abraham Lincoln called a "new birth of freedom" for a just and self-renewing society. (Ralph Nader) From the beginning, this country's Green politics has been wisely and effectively influenced by active thinker and thoughtful activist John Rensenbrink. This book is a trail guide to a more democratic, and more ecologically sound America. (Sam Smith, Progressive Review) John Rensenbrink has surpassed himself. No caring citizen-activist should neglect this account...of American democracy on the eve of a new millennium. (Betty Zisk, Professor, Department of Political Science, Boston University) John Rensenbrink chronicles the practice of democratic politics, warts and all, leaving us with a sense of hope rather than despair. (Stephen Viederman, President, Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation) A cogent argument for a new, revolutionary green politics by a wise and passionate scholor-activist. (Phil Shabecoff, Author of A New Name for Peace, International Environmentalism, Sustainable Development and Democracy, and former environmental writer for the New York Times) A unique look at an independent political party being born. Rensenbrink captures the realpolitik and hard labor that accompanies Greens creating a new politics in contemporary America. Against All Odds is hopeful, exasperating, and ultimately liberating. (Steven Schmidt, Co-Chair Green National Platform Committee and Member, Writers Guild of America)
About the Author
John Rensenbrink was born in 1928 on a dairy farm in the upper mid-west. At the age of 14, after his father died, he and his older brother ran the farm. At the sametime John received his highschool deploma through a correspondence course.
He received his BA from Calvin College in 1950, his MA from the University of Michigan in 1951, and his PhD from the University of Chicago in 1956.
He taught in the Political Science Department at Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine from 1961 to 1993, with several years off to work in Africa and Poland.
John was the principle founder of the Maine Green Party (1st Green Party in the US) and is a leader in the national Green Party movement.
John currently lives in Topsham, Maine with his wife Carla.
