“By the Light of Burning Dreams” Continues to Win Critics’ Praise

The Library Journal is the latest to give its blessing to the new book by my sister Margaret Talbot and me, spotlighting the way that By the Light of Burning Dreams offers “a loving but critical portrait of an (activist) generation whose effects are still felt today.” (The review will run in the July 1 issue.) Even more important to me are the personal responses I’ve received from radical activists who were leaders or foot soldiers in the great conflicts of the 1960s and ‘70s — including people we profile in the book, such as Bobby Seale, Heather Booth, Bob Zimmerman (who among many exploits led the daring air relief squadron over Wounded Knee in 1973) and Lenny Foster (who heroically led AIM leader Dennis Banks through the militarized encirclement around Wounded Knee on the final night of the siege).

One veteran activist who makes a brief appearance in our book (and deserves a book of her own) buttonholed me at a Berkeley party that I co-hosted last evening (our first big post-vax celebration). She analyzed my book chapter by chapter, taking issue with some of my points of view and offering her own fascinating personal takes on the historic events covered in the book. This is the kind of close reading of a book that, as an author, I find challenging but exhilarating.

As Margaret and I emerge more into the spotlight, holding safe book parties and speaking in public, I expect to have more of these encounters with men and women who shared the “burning dreams” that we write about. I’m ready and eager to hear these personal reviews, especially from those who helped make this history.

You can buy our book here.

Bobby Seale, seen here addressing a Black Panther rally in 1968, was among those profiled in our book who contacted me after it was published. The photo by Stephen Shames is included in our book.