Defiant
$49.13
- Hardcover
272 pages
- Release Date
15 December 2026
Summary
Eleven stories of people across Europe who became unlikely Human Rights Defenders.
Across Europe, rising repression is reshaping daily life. Local people helping others are targeted and criminalized for exposing corruption, helping refugees and acting out of kindness.
In today’s climate of increasing fear and intimidation, some refuse to look away.
Award-winning activist Brian Dooley presents eleven true stories of people who chose courage over safety:…
Book Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781967494026 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10: | 1967494029 |
| Author: | Brian Dooley |
| Publisher: | Humanitas Media, Inc. |
| Imprint: | Humanitas Media, Inc. |
| Format: | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages: | 272 |
| Release Date: | 15 December 2026 |
| Weight: | 464g |
| Dimensions: | 152mm x 229mm |
Critics Review
“Here are true stories we need in these difficult times––stories of hope and kindness, of people taking risks to help others. They show you don’t need qualifications or much experience to make a difference, just the will to act and a refusal to accept injustice.”
–Mary Lawlor, Former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders
“Dooley’s remarkable book responds to those feeling powerless in the face of oppression. It’s a profound reminder of what we can all do to counter injustice.”
–Rebecca Everly, Executive Director, International Human Rights Network of Academies and Scholarly Societies
“In Defiant, Brian Dooley brilliantly captures a simple truth: no one is born an activist. Rich in historical insight and powerful storytelling, he shows how simple acts of kindness and courage can grow into movements for change. These stories of resilience, hope, and perseverance reveal the extraordinary impact ordinary people can have when they refuse to look away, making Defiant an inspiring and deeply human book.”
–Sarah Henry, host of the Activist Lawyer Podcast
“Defiant is a gripping account of changemakers in Europe today. These eleven stories show local people defending their communities against injustice and violence when conscience leaves them no other choice.”
–Joshua Colangelo-Bryan, author of Through the Gates of Hell: American Injustice at Guantanamo Bay
Brian Dooley
Brian Dooley is a longtime human rights activist specializing in supporting Human Rights Defenders working amid revolutions, armed conflict, and severe repression. He is an Honorary Professor of Practice at Queen’s University Belfast, a Visiting Scholar at University College London, and a Senior Advisor at Human Rights First.
From 2020 to 2023, Dooley served as Senior Advisor to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders. In 2025, he received the University of Oslo Human Rights Award. He is the author of several books on civil rights and the Northern Ireland conflict. His latest book, DEFIANT: Profiles of Resistance, will be published by Humanitas Media in October 2026.
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