Hope in the DarkHope in the Dark
Score Modern
What it's about
Rebecca Solnit, writing in the dark days after the start of the Iraq War, argues that hope isn't optimism: it's the belief that the future is uncertain, so action matters. She gathers stories of movements and victories that seemed impossible, and the long, often invisible ways change happens.
Why it's worth reading
The Guardian named it one of the best books of the 21st century. It's a short, inspiring book that many activists turn to in hard times.
You'll love it if you liked
A People's History of the United States
The Age of Surveillance Capitalism
All About Love: New VisionsGood to know
It's short essays. Updated editions add new reflections.
By the numbers
- Readers34 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics51 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller14 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #172 of the 198 history books we rank
- #1012 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #1868 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
True story, Moving
More by Rebecca Solnit
If you like this, read next
All the Light We Cannot See
Americanah
The Underground Railroad
A Gentleman in Moscow
Alexander Hamilton
My Brilliant FriendExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is Hope in the Dark worth reading?
Yes. The Guardian named it one of the best books of the 21st century. It ranks #1,868 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 65.1 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Hope in the Dark about?
Rebecca Solnit, writing in the dark days after the start of the Iraq War, argues that hope isn't optimism: it's the belief that the future is uncertain, so action matters. She gathers stories of movements and victories that seemed impossible, and the long, often invisible ways change happens.
How long does it take to read Hope in the Dark?
About 4 hours (152 pages), or about 8 days at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Hope in the Dark?
If you liked it, try A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn, The Age of Surveillance Capitalism by Shoshana Zuboff or All About Love: New Visions by bell hooks.