(Photo by iStock/Nadya So)

A collection of some of Stanford Social Innovation Review's most popular book reviews and excerpts published in 2020.

1. Why Educational Disparities Persist

An excerpt from Opportunity for All crafts three lessons from the historic inequities of the public school system.

2. Big Structural Change

Rebecca Henderson’s Reimagining Capitalism in a World on Fire outlines five ways we can reform capitalism to overcome climate change, inequality, and the collapse of democracy. This book review is open to non-subscribers for a limited time. Learn more about subscribing to SSIR.

3. The Keys to Nonprofit Management

In this excerpt from the introduction of Nonprofit Management 101, CNN’s Van Jones outlines critical insights into how he finds success in management.

4. Civic Power

An excerpt from a new book on rebuilding American democracy in an era of crisis describes the role of on-the-ground innovators in creating new civil society and policymaking organizations.

5. Volunteer Nation 

Elisabeth S. Clemens’ Civic Gifts demonstrates how voluntarism, long associated with locally based efforts, has been central to the project of building a strong nation-state. This book review is open to non-subscribers for a limited time. Learn more about subscribing to SSIR.

6. Stewards of the Land

An excerpt from A Better Planet describes how to harness American agriculture for a sustainable future.

7. The Feminist Trailblazer of Black Philanthropy

A new biography of Madam C. J. Walker shows how America’s first self-made female millionaire and Black entrepreneur put philanthropy at the center of her business and life. This book review is open to non-subscribers for a limited time. Learn more about subscribing to SSIR.

8. Building a New Civic Culture

An excerpt from Engaged examines the state of our civic life and explores citizens' role in democracy. 

9. Equitable Public Health

In Precision Community Health, Bechara Choucair offers a four-pillared framework to address historic systemic inequities in public health but fails to confront the power arrangements that undergird them. This book review is open to non-subscribers for a limited time. Learn more about subscribing to SSIR.

10. How Technology Shapes Social Movements

In an excerpt from The Future of Change, Ray Brescia analyzes how the proponents of the Violence Against Women Act used digital platforms to broaden their message and support.

Are you enjoying this article? Read more like this, plus SSIR's full archive of content, when you subscribe.

Support SSIR’s coverage of cross-sector solutions to global challenges. 
Help us further the reach of innovative ideas. Donate today.

Read more stories by SSIR Editors.