Conspiracy to Riot, Lee Weiner
Conspiracy to Riot, Lee Weiner
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Conspiracy to Riot
The Life and Times of One of the Chicago 7

Author: Lee Weiner

Narrator: Josh Bloomberg

Unabridged: 5 hr 22 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 08/18/2020

Synopsis

In March 1969, eight young men were indicted by the federal government for conspiracy to incite a riot. Some of them barely knew one another, having come together briefly to protest the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago and the war in Vietnam. First dubbed the "Conspiracy 8" and later the "Chicago 7," the group included firebrands like Abbie Hoffman and Bobby Seale, but also a little-known community activist and social worker named Lee Weiner, who was just as surprised as the rest of the country when his name was called. The ensuing trial was a media sensation, and it changed Weiner's life forever. But as he recalls in his memoir, the actions that brought him before a jury and a vindictive government were part of a long tradition of American radicalism that had shaped him from an early age and remain directly relevant to today's efforts to change America for the better. From Weiner's Jewish family's leftist political roots to wild anti-war demonstrations on the streets and high-profile political appointments, Conspiracy to Riot shows how commitment to your ideals can change your destiny—for better and for worse.

About Lee Weiner

Lee Weiner was born and raised on Chicago's south side. His activist life began with free-speech demonstrations at the University of Illinois in 1960, included community organizing in desperately poor neighborhoods in Chicago, and led to his indictment in the notorious Chicago 7 trial in 1969. His later political work included direct response fundraising for members of Congress and national nonprofit organizations. Along the way, he collected a couple of master's degrees and a PhD in sociology. He now lives near Tampa, Florida.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Kerry on November 12, 2020

I received this book unsolicited from the publisher to review, which made me pause. What mailing lists am I on? Anyway, the book arrived right after the Netflix show on the Chicago 7 had aired. That was my generation, and I all I can say about this subject is a quote from Edward R. Murrow that state......more

Goodreads review by Abby on February 03, 2021

4.5/5. I really enjoyed this book and Lee Weiner’s story. Conspiracy to Riot was published at a time when it was needed: many things that Weiner describes about the 1960s parallel today’s political climate. My only complaint about the book is that I wish it were longer. By adding more detail to his......more

Goodreads review by Lisa on August 30, 2024

Lee Weiner, the last living member of the Chicago 7, tells his own story before, during and after Chicago’s infamous summer of 1968 when peaceful antiwar protestors were viciously attacked in the streets by the Chicago police. He was one of seven (actually eight) men who were indicted for their alle......more

Goodreads review by Alisha on September 03, 2020

A Book About the Past That Is Relevant Today An engaging read that sheds a personal light on one of the most famous trials in American history. Quick, interesting, clear and informative— Conspiracy to Riot is a book that shows what life was like before, during and after the Chicago 7 trial as told by......more

Goodreads review by Scott on October 21, 2020

If you loved the new film about the Trial of the Chicago 7, you'll love this book. A personal look at the trial, the Sixties and the aftermath. I particularly enjoyed the final chapter with Lee's thoughts on the movement and activism up to the present times. It was a crazy time which affected us all......more

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