Denim Revolution

Denim has always been universally cool, but the renaissance that this adaptable, comfortable, stylish fabric is now experiencing is unprecedented. But before you pay hundreds of dollars to get the latest denim looks, learn how you can actually create your own chic pieces from recycled denim in your closet, vintage stores and thrift shops. In Denim Revolution, former Calvin Klein design assistant Nancy Minsky offers dozens of patterns for novices to experienced stitchers that fuse recycled denim with cool embellishments - mixing together old, new, vintage, antique, rugged and modern to spice up your wardrobe. You don t have to be a master seamstress to get these fresh looks; many of the projects are designed for beginners and don t even require a sewing machine. All have step-by-step instructions, sketches and photographs to guide you. Also included is a sewing tutorial and tips and techniques on everything from cutting fur and fraying edges to embellishing denim with embroidery, other fabrics, ribbon, lace or paint.

“A fascinating chronicle of the $55-billion-a-year global denim industry.” —David Futrelle, Los Angeles Times Rachel Louise Snyder reports from the far reaches of the multi-billion-dollar denim industry in search of the people who make your clothes. From a cotton picker in Azerbaijan to a Cambodian seamstress, a denim maker in Italy to a fashion designer in New York, Snyder captures the human, environmental, and political forces at work in a complex and often absurd world. Neither polemic nor prescription, Fugitive Denim captures what it means to work in the twenty-first century.

Since their appearance nearly 150 years ago, jeans have been worn by all segments of American society and exported around the world. This book traces their evolution from a simple utilitarian garment to the very embodiment of the American ethos. Touching on the rise and fall of indigo, the myth of the cowboy, American cultural imperialism, sex, advertising and countless other topics wrapped in denim, this is a history of popular American culture as told through an iconic item of clothing.

A comprehensive and revelatory history of modern Belarus - from independence to 2020's contested election In 2020 Belarus made headlines around the world when protests erupted in the aftermath of a fraught presidential election. Andrew Wilson explores both Belarus's complicated road to nationhood and its politics and economics since it gained independence in 1991. Two new chapters reveal the extent of Aliaksandr Lukashenka's grip on power, the growth of the opposition movement and the violent crackdown that followed the vote. Wilson also examines the prospects for Europe as a whole of either Lukashenka's downfall or his survival with Russian support. "Andrew Wilson has done all students of European politics a great service by making the history of Belarus comprehensible and by showing how the future of Belarus might be different than its present."--Timothy Snyder, author of Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin

Object Lessons is a series of short, beautifully designed books about the hidden lives of ordinary things. Few clothing items are as ubiquitous or casual as blue jeans. Yet, their simplicity is deceptive. Blue jeans are nothing if not an exercise in opposites. Americans have accepted jeans as a symbol of their culture, but today jeans are a global consumer product category. Levi Strauss made blue jeans in the 1870s to withstand the hard work of mining, but denim has since become the epitome of leisure. In the 1950s, celebrities like Marlon Brando transformed the utilitarian clothing of industrial labor into a glamorous statement of youthful rebellion, and now, you can find jeans on chic fashion runways. For some, indigo blue might be the color of freedom, but for workers who have produced the dye, it has often been a color of oppression and tyranny. Blue Jeans considers the versatility of this iconic garment and investigates what makes denim a universal signifier, ready to fit any context, meaning, and body. Object Lessons is published in partnership with an essay series in The Atlantic.

Now more than ever, in the arenas of national security, diplomacy, and military operations, effective communication strategy is of paramount importance. A 24/7 television, radio, and Internet news cycle paired with an explosion in social media demands it. According to James P. Farwell, a former political consultant, the US government's approach to strategic communication has been misguided. Persausion and Power stands apart for its critical evaluation of the concepts, doctrines, and activities that the US Department of Defense and Department of State employ for the art of strategic communication including psychological operations, military information support operations, propaganda, and public diplomacy. Farwell stresses that words, deeds, actions, and symbols may qualify as strategic communication and aim to mold or shape public opinion to influence behavior in order to attain specific objectives, advance interests, or—viewed from a military perspective—satisfy or create conditions that produce a desired end-state. He contends that a message that is true, consistent, and persuasive is more powerful than any deception. Persuasion and Power is a book about the art of strategic communication, how it is used, where, and why. Using historical examples, Farwell illustrates how its principles have made a critical difference throughout history in the outcomes of crises, conflicts, politics, and diplomacy across different cultures and societies. This insightful volume will help communications officers, policymakers, and students understand when, where, and how they can apply the principles of strategic communication to advance national security interests.

An urgent and accessible handbook for peaceful protesters, activists, and community organizers—anyone trying to defend their rights, hold their government accountable, or change the world Blueprint for Revolution will teach you how to • make oppression backfire by playing your opponents’ strongest card against them • identify the “almighty pillars of power” in order to shift the balance of control • dream big, but start small: learn how to pick battles you can win • listen to what people actually care about in order to incorporate their needs into your revolutionary vision • master the art of compromise to bring together even the most disparate groups • recognize your allies and view your enemies as potential partners • use humor to make yourself heard, defuse potentially violent situations, and “laugh your way to victory” Praise for Blueprint for Revolution “The title is no exaggeration. Otpor’s methods . . . have been adopted by democracy movements around the world. The Egyptian opposition used them to topple Hosni Mubarak. In Lebanon, the Serbs helped the Cedar Revolution extricate the country from Syrian control. In Maldives, their methods were the key to overthrowing a dictator who had held power for thirty years. In many other countries, people have used what Canvas teaches to accomplish other political goals, such as fighting corruption or protecting the environment.”—The New York Times “A clear, well-constructed, and easily applicable set of principles for any David facing any Goliath (sans slingshot, of course) . . . By the end of Blueprint, the idea that a punch is no match for a punch line feels like anything but a joke.”—The Boston Globe “An entertaining primer on the theory and practice of peaceful protest.”—The Guardian “With this wonderful book, Srdja Popovic is inspiring ordinary people facing injustice and oppression to use this tool kit to challenge their oppressors and create something much better. When I was growing up, we dreamed that young people could bring down those who misused their power and create a more just and democratic society. For Srdja Popovic, living in Belgrade in 1998, this same dream was potentially a much more dangerous idea. But with an extraordinarily courageous group of students that formed Otpor!, Srdja used imagination, invention, cunning, and lots of humor to create a movement that not only succeeded in toppling the brutal dictator Slobodan Milošević but has become a blueprint for nonviolent revolution around the world. Srdja rules!”—Peter Gabriel “Blueprint for Revolution is not only a spirited guide to changing the world but a breakthrough in the annals of advice for those who seek justice and democracy. It asks (and not heavy-handedly): As long as you want to change the world, why not do it joyfully? It’s not just funny. It’s seriously funny. No joke.”—Todd Gitlin, author of The Sixties and Occupy Nation

Step Back into the Future: The 2000s Reimagined Discover a captivating journey back in time with "Millennium Redux: The Unstoppable Return of 2000s Trends," a vibrant exploration of the era that reshaped our world. This enthralling book delves deep into the cultural resurgence of the early 21st century, from its iconic fashion and groundbreaking technology to the unforgettable music and TV shows that defined a generation. Whether you lived through the glitter and glam of the 2000s or are experiencing its revival through the eyes of Gen Z, this masterpiece offers a nostalgic trip down memory lane paired with a fresh perspective on its lasting impact. Witness the rebirth of Y2K fashion as low-rise jeans, cargo pants, and chunky accessories dominate the runway once again, guided by the powerful influence of social media. Revel in the resurgence of music's golden age, from pop icons and emo anthems to the evolution of listening habits that continue to resonate with fans new and old. "Millennium Redux: The Unstoppable Return of 2000s Trends" not only traces the origins of these phenomena but also explores their compelling return to the mainstream. Embark on a journey through the digital landscape that witnessed the birth of social media, the explosion of online gaming, and the revolutionary shift from dial-up internet to the connected world we inhabit today. This book meticulously chronicles the technological advancements and social media pioneers that paved the way for the digital age, offering invaluable insights into how the 2000s laid the foundation for contemporary society's daily life and communication. But it doesn't stop there. Dive into the heart of 2000s reality TV, activism, internet culture, and much more, as each chapter unfolds the enduring legacy of the decade's key movements and milestones. "Millennium Redux: The Unstoppable Return of 2000s Trends" is more than just a trip down memory lane; it's an inspiring guide to understanding the past's influence on the future, making it a must-read for anyone eager to explore the cyclical nature of cultural phenomena and the eternal return of the millennium's most beloved trends. Get ready to embrace the past, influence the future, and witness the unstoppable return of the 2000s. Your journey through the echoes of a millennium starts here.

This book explores the origins of the Color Revolutions in Georgia, Ukraine, and Kyrgyzstan, asking what made them possible and what their impact was in each of these three countries. Ultimately, it argues that they had little impact on democratic development and were as much reflections of continuity as of radical change.

From the bestselling author of The Ascent of Money and The Square and the Tower “A dazzling history of Western ideas.” —The Economist “Mr. Ferguson tells his story with characteristic verve and an eye for the felicitous phrase.” —Wall Street Journal “[W]ritten with vitality and verve . . . a tour de force.” —Boston Globe Western civilization’s rise to global dominance is the single most important historical phenomenon of the past five centuries. How did the West overtake its Eastern rivals? And has the zenith of Western power now passed? Acclaimed historian Niall Ferguson argues that beginning in the fifteenth century, the West developed six powerful new concepts, or “killer applications”—competition, science, the rule of law, modern medicine, consumerism, and the work ethic—that the Rest lacked, allowing it to surge past all other competitors. Yet now, Ferguson shows how the Rest have downloaded the killer apps the West once monopolized, while the West has literally lost faith in itself. Chronicling the rise and fall of empires alongside clashes (and fusions) of civilizations, Civilization: The West and the Rest recasts world history with force and wit. Boldly argued and teeming with memorable characters, this is Ferguson at his very best.