From dictatorship to democracy

Gene Sharp's From Dictatorship to Democracy has been widely acknowledged as a piece of literature widely used as a blueprint for nonviolent resistance to dictatorial regimes. Passed from activist to activist, frequently photocopied, scanned and disseminated online, Serpent's Tail have acquired book rights and are proud to have this important 21st century document on our list. The book has been translated into 31 languages and likened to the Communist Manifesto and the Little Red Book in terms of cultural importance, it has become the definitive 'how-to' guide for the modern radical. It lists a number of methods of nonviolent resistance, from mock funerals to sit-ins and the occupation of public space, as used to media-worthy effect in the 2011 protests of #occupylondon and #occupywallstreet.