For more than four decades, Hugh Segal has been one of the leading voices of progressive conservatism in Canada. A self-described Red Tory warrior who disdains “bootstrap” approaches to poverty, he has worked tirelessly to bring about policies that support the most economically vulnerable in society. Central to his life's work has been the championing of a basic annual income for all Canadians. Why would a life-long Tory support something so radical? In this revealing memoir, Segal shares how his life and experiences brought him to this most unlikely of places. He traces a trajectory from his childhood in a poor immigrant family in working-class Montreal to his time as a chief of staff for Prime Minister Mulroney and to his more recent work as an advisor on a basic income for the Ontario Liberal government. Along the way, he has worked across party lines to promote an anti-poverty agenda. This book is a passionate argument not only for why a basic annual income makes economic sense, but for why it is the right thing to do.

If life has knocked you down, get ready to pick yourself back up and give your problems the boot! When Sheila Mac tells you to pull up your bootstraps and bra straps, it's time to take action! Whether you're a new mama or a seasoned businesswoman, Sheila will guide you from starting over to creating the life you always desired. Her voice is that of a mentor, life coach, and entrepreneur-all rolled up into a best friend. In Boot Straps & Bra Straps, Sheila will walk you through her BOOTS Formula. This is a tool you can use to pick yourself up from rock bottom, build a new identity, reinvent yourself, and produce more income, all without jeopardizing a balanced life. You will want to gift a copy of this book to your closest friend and keep one on the shelf for future life reviews. That's because you won't just walk away inspired; you'll walk away with the right tools in hand to do an entire lifestyle redesign.

Overwhelmed by racial injustice? Outraged by the news? Find yourself asking, “What can I doooooo?” DO THE WORK! Revelatory and thought-provoking, this highly illustrated, highly informative interactive workbook gives readers a unique, hands-on understanding of systemic racism—and how we can dismantle it. Packed with activities, games, illustrations, comics, and eye-opening conversation, Do the Work! Challenges readers to think critically and act effectively. Try the “Separate but Not Equal” crossword puzzle. Play “Bootstrapping, the Game” to understand the myth of meritocracy. Test your knowledge of racist laws by playing “Jim Crow or Jim Faux?” Have hard conversations with your people (scripts and talking points included). Be open to new ideas and diversify your “feed” with a scavenger hunt. Team up with an accountability partner and find hundreds of ideas, resources, and opportunities to DO THE WORK! Ready to get started?

When most lesbians had to hide, how did they find one another? Were the bars of the 1940s and 1950s more fun than the bars today? Did Black and white lesbians socialize together? Boots of Leather, Slippers of Gold is a ground-breaking account of the growth of the lesbian community in Buffalo, New York from the mid-1930s to the early 1960s Drawing on oral histories collected from 45 women, it is the first comprehensive history of a working-class lesbian community. These poignant and complex stories provide a new look at Black and white working-class lesbians as powerful agents of historical change. Their creativity and resilience under oppressive circumstances constructed a better life for all lesbians and expanded possibilities for all women. Based on 13 years of research, Boots of Leather, Slippers of Gold ranges over topics including sex, relationships, coming out, butch-fem roles, motherhood, aging, racism, work, oppression, and pride. Kennedy and Davis provide a unique insider's perspective on butch-fem culture and trace the roots of gay and lesbian liberation to the determined resistance of working-class lesbians. The book begins by focusing on the growth and development of community, culture, and consciousness in the bars and open house parties of the 1930s, '40s, and '50s. It goes on to explore the code of personal behavior and social imperative in butch-fem culture, centering on dress, mannerisms, and gendered sexuality. Finally the book examines serial monogamy, the social forces which shaped love and break-ups, and the changing nature and content of lesbian identity. Capturing the full complexity of lesbian culture, this outstanding book includes extensive quotes from narrators that make every topic a living document, a composite picture of the lives of real people fighting for respect and for a place that would be safe for their love.

Everyone faces challenges at some time, but some are everywomans nightmare. Losing a marriage, home or business can seem insurmountable. So does coping with the death of a beloved spouse or facing cancer. Portrayed in this book are courageous women who have dealt with these nightmares and managed to not just survive, but found untapped strength that enabled them to pull themselves up and beyond. In each case, these women believed the sources of their salvation were faith, family and friends. Their stories will give hope to anyone who has faced or is facing adversity and show that they, too, can prevail. At the end of each chapter are Boot Kickersgems of wisdom gleaned from the womens stories. They can be printed from the Bootstraps website, www.bootstrapsbook.com to inspire you in trying times.

In a world of divisive politicians, brainwashed followers, and extreme school rivalries between spoon-wielding Puddin’ Heads and their sworn enemies, the Sweeties, 14-year-old Blaze Union is expelled for the offense of playing guitar and soccer with hands deemed “too large” by MegaCorp standards. But instead of dropping out, Blaze embarks on a mission to become Island Nation's top school boss and liberate students and teachers from an absurd existence. Armed with a sarcastic teacher and a band of rebellious misfits, Blaze's revolution rapidly gains momentum, catching powerful knuckleheads off guard. But as shocking events escalate the conflict between the Puddin' Heads and Sweeties, Blaze faces unexpected enemies, shady alliances, and a disturbing question: are these catastrophes just coincidences, the fallout of her rebellion, or the work of hidden forces lurking in the shadows? With the country on edge, Blaze must confront the truth before her revolution unravels and the nation’s schools spiral into chaos. Brace yourself for a wild adventure filled with delusional leaders, epic showdowns, and a fight for freedom like no other. And don’t forget your spoon helmet—you’ll need it. Finalist - 2023 Mark Twain Book Award - Humor / Satire "Gloriously absurd... delightfully funny." — Kirkus Reviews "Hilarious... A must read." — Karen Johnson, teacher

As President Barack Obama outlined his promise for change during the presidential campaign, he made effective use of proverbs and proverbial phrases, and invented many quotable epithets that have all the makings of future proverbs. This book examines how Obama's natural and authentic reliance on traditional metaphors enhances his impressive rhetoric, rather than reducing it to mere sound bites. Proverbs, with their often colorful metaphors, add expressiveness and emotion to his communications, giving people the opportunity to follow his pragmatic or philosophical arguments through common language. No matter the subject, Obama's prose contains metaphorical language that makes his rhetoric and oratory universally accessible. This book contains detailed analyses of the proverbial rhetoric in Obama's books Dreams from My Father (1995) and The Audacity of Hope (2006). A section looks at his proverbial language in 229 speeches, news conferences, interviews, and radio addresses, and the final section presents in-depth studies of his seven most significant addresses. It includes a comprehensive contextualized index of 1714 proverbial texts found within the writings and speeches from Obama's political beginnings to his memorable inaugural address.