Stones of Hope

"Stones of Hope is a terrific book that should be required reading for anyone interested in pragmatic advocacy for economic and social rights ... [It] provides the rare experience of reading a book that is simultaneously inspiring, analytical, and provocative. Above all, it demonstrates that the effort to make human rights relevant to the world's billion people in poverty is a worthwhile and realistic struggle." - Dan Chong, Human Rights Quarterly "Stones of Hope is a foundational contribution to the law and social change field. The book is impressive for both what it does ... and how it does it ... [Stones of Hope is] a stunning achievement that lives up to its brilliantly evocative title. It is, in my view, essential reading not only for those who care about the sociology of law, but for all students and practitioners who care about using law to make the world more just and humane. In this sense, Stones of Hope is a model of what legal scholarship should be: academically rigorous and - most importantly - deeply engaged in the project of social justice. That is the stone that we all should carry forth." - Scott L. Cummings, Journal of Legal Education "[A]n optimistic and progressive book ... innovative ... Some book reviews take it as their objective to convince their audience to read the book under review. This is one of those." - Jonathan Klaaren, South African Journal on Human Rights "[White and Perelman's] introduction, two theoretical essays, and epilogue underscore common strands in strategies, norm-building innovations, and the generation of institutional renovation rooted in ESR. Not unexpectedly, the case studies reveal very diverse contexts, experiences, and outcomes, not a general model of public agitation and government response. Nevertheless, the essays find creative local strategies and offer new insights into the roles of lawbreaking and lawmaking in the process of social change and public policy evolution ... Recommended." - J. P. Smaldone, CHOICE "Stones of Hope presents an unusual set of case studies and theoretical essays on innovative human rights activism arising from Africa. The material on the innovative civil society initiatives in the legal and educational spheres to implement a right of access to health care in South Africa is extremely impressive and, on its own, makes this volume required reading." - Albie Sachs, human rights activist, former member of South Africa's Constitutional Court