Full Dissidence

Notes from an Uneven Playing Field

By: Howard Bryant

Narrated by: Ron Butler

Length: 7 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

A bold and impassioned meditation on injustice in our country that punctures the illusion of a postracial America and reveals it as a place where authoritarianism looms large.

Whether the issues are protest, labor, patriotism, or class division, it is clear that professional sports are no longer simply fun and games. Rather, the industry is a hotbed of fractures and inequities that reflect and even drive some of the most divisive issues in our country. The nine provocative and deeply personal essays in Full Dissidence confront the dangerous narratives that are shaping the current dialogue in sports and mainstream culture. The audiobook is a reflection on a culture where African Americans continue to navigate the sharp edges of whiteness - as citizens who are always at risk of being told, often directly from the White House, to go back to where they came from. The topics Howard Bryant takes on include the player-owner relationship, the militarization of sports, the myth of integration, the erasure of black identity as a condition of success, and the kleptocracy that has forced America to ask itself if its beliefs of freedom and democracy are more than just words.

In a time when authoritarianism is creeping into our lives and is being embraced in our politics, Full Dissidence will make us question the strength of the bonds we think we have with our fellow citizens, and it shows us why we must break from the malignant behaviors that have become normalized in everyday life.

©2020 Howard Bryant (P)2020 Beacon Press

Critic reviews

"A series of forceful, justifiably angry essays connected by the theme of white supremacy negating the full citizenship of black Americans... Another illuminating social and cultural critique from an important contemporary voice." (Kirkus Reviews starred review)

"Senior ESPN writer Bryant showcases why he is one of the most talented writers of this generation in thoughtful essays...[an] in-depth analysis and examination of issues. Highly recommended: Bryant is a masterful writer and a voice of this generation. His passion and analysis on important topics is unparalleled." (Library Journal starred review)

"Not much comfort here, only light." (Booklist)

Insight we all deserve

With our differing societies often at odds with one another and unable to voice the value of our disagreements without losing our sense of balance and fairness, Mr Bryant, is clearly and should be respected as much, the world's next Noam Chomsky. As an activist and thinker it seems clear that Mr Bryant leads with an intellectual curiosity bounded by data and information which allow him to underline and clarify his points with great urgency.

Thank you

A Must Read

Howard Bryant’s books are always entertaining and informative, but sadly depressing. We should be able to treat someone else in the same way we expect to be treated. It sounds so simple yet this country seems to have a legacy that’s diametrically opposed to the Golden Rule.

This is the third one of Mr. Bryant’s books that I’ve listened to and the quality of the writing is fantastic. His words are straightforward and honest.

I also wanted to mention that the narrator, Ron Butler, did an excellent job, too. Sometimes with Audible books, the author’s writing is let down by the narrator. In this case both the author and the narrator did a masterful job. I appreciate that a great deal.

Balanced, frank, and illuminating.

Illuminating and an excellent contribution to Americans prepared to have the very necessary mature and frank discussion of who she will be in the world in the next 100 years.

Great perspective!

I like the way the book approaches the issues with racism. I sent it to a white friend of mine to help educate him.

Great Read

It will make you think and want to talk about the issues they present. I am sending it to my friends so we can maybe have a conversation about the things that are mentioned in the book. Now the essays do not offer a solution to the problems but I do feel like it gets the conversations started to have us look for solutions.

Scathing observational critique of the NFL

Howard Bryant dissects the Kaepernick protest, shows it for what it was and lays bear the hypocrisy of the NFL and how they've gaslit America to feel an unwarranted outrage. His revelations about government policy is shocking and irrefutable because it's all public record!

Really helpful

Like many white folks
I didn’t know what I didn’t know about race and white privileged.
We have an 8y/o
African/American granddaughter now
And my education is so very important now.
I thank Howard for helping me see so much more because the vignettes he uses are Relevant examples from sports and current news to guide me into understanding.
Thank you to Bomani for having him on The Right Time

Great book - Are there any solutions?

I thought the book discussed some very important issues and cast them in a light I had never seen before. I saw no discussion of what can be done to work toward fixing this. The last essay leaves us hopeless for anything better.

Good read the second time

Good read very informative and based on real world events, yet the book had a disjointed flow.