"[
Daring to Struggle, Daring to Win] is an important record of late 20th century Chicago, and a sort of blueprint for how a rebel can challenge the power brokers and maybe not completely reshape society but at least win myriad small victories for people who have no one else to fight for them."
-Third Coast Review "This is a serious book–full of policy and protest, firm in its convictions, and short on lighthearted anecdotes. You have to knuckle down, have some tea, and think about housing lawsuits and school boycotts of yore. But it's well-written–Shiller worked for years for the alternative press, and can tell a story thoroughly and compactly, with even a little poetry. It's ultimately a hopeful book–a reminder that problems have always looked insurmountable until they're surmounted."
–New City
"An informative book...."
–Kirkus
"Shiller's memoir offers a profound look into the challenges and triumphs of community-based politics. It is a testament to the belief that dedicated individuals can make significant changes at the local level. Through Shiller's eyes, we witness the evolution of Uptown and Chicago, warts and all. While the perspective is decidedly hers, the reader is granted valuable insight into the mechanics of local governance and the unwavering spirit of community activism.
Audiences who might be interested in using this memoir pedagogically include scholars of Chicago history, urban politics enthusiasts, and readers intrigued by White youth activism in the 1970s. Given its detailed account of gentrification, urban renewal, housing issues, and business development, the memoir can offer real-life case studies to students studying the dynamics of urban development and planning. Those studying political machines, city governance, local politics, and the history of Chicago from the 1980s to 2010s would find this memoir a treasure trove of firsthand experiences and insights. The book provides a detailed account of grassroots movements, protest politics, and the challenges faced by activists, making it an invaluable resource for students and educators interested in activism, social justice, and community organizing." –H-Net Reviews
"Helen Shiller's work inside and out of the Chicago City Council is a model for all those seeking to make real change in the world. From her tireless work challenging gentrification, police abuse, and homophobia, Shiller never lost sight of her roots, and always put the struggles of poor and working class people first. No matter where you live and organize there is much to be learned from Helen's inspiring and courageous life story. Read this book!" –Rossana Rodríiacute;guez Sáaacute;nchez, Alderwoman Chicago's 33rd Ward
"I salute my good friend and comrade Helen Shiller for the broad vivid picture of her extraordinary life's journey, filled with personal challenges, and her decades of exceptional social justice work with and for the poor and oppressed communities. Helen worked tirelessly with the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party and its Intercommunal Survival Committee for racial and social justice during the 1970's. She is a true servant of the people." –Emory Douglas, Revolutionary Artist/Minister of Culture, The Black Panther Party 1967-1980 "As a journalist who has covered Helen Shiller, off and on, throughout her half-century of community activism, I have long wondered how she would tell her own epic story. Daring to Struggle, Daring to Win answers that question poignantly and powerfully. Her epic journey takes us from the era of SDS, Black Panthers and school desegr
