This Land is My Land: A Graphic History of Big Dreams, Micronations, and Other Self-Made States (Graphic Novel, World History Books, Nonfiction Graphic Novels)

Tired of your country's bad politics' Feeling powerless to change things' Start your own utopia instead! This nonfiction graphic novel collects the stories of 30 self-made places around the world built with a dream of utopia, whether a safe haven, an inspiring structure, or a better-run country. From the Gay and Lesbian Kingdom of the Coral Sea Islands to the Indian rock garden of Nek Chand, the micronation of Sealand to the pirate-founded, anti-slavery community of Libertatia, here are the empowering and eccentric visions of creators who struck out against the laws of their homelands, the approval of their peers, and even nature itself to reshape the world around them. From a New York Times bestselling author, “fascinating tales of intentional communities . . . and utopian visions . . . in a funny, enlightening graphic format” ( School Library Journal ). Tired of your country’s bad politics? Feeling powerless to change things? Start your own utopia instead! This nonfiction graphic novel collects the stories of 30 self-made places around the world built with a dream of utopia, whether a safe haven, an inspiring structure, or a better-run country. These are the empowering and eccentric visions of creators who struck out against the laws of their homelands, the approval of their peers, and even nature itself to reshape the world around them. Readers will travel around the globe, from the Gay and Lesbian Kingdom of the Coral Sea Islands to the Indian rock garden of Nek Chand, the micronation of Sealand to the pirate-founded, anti-slavery community of Libertatia. Organized into five chapters: intentional communities, micronations, failed utopias, visionary environments, and strange dreams, This Land is My Land is infused with the hope that tomorrow will be better than today, a conviction universally depicted through the stories of people who were dissatisfied with the status quo and chose to build something better. This informative, fun history makes a great coffee table book and conversation starter. “Colorful fauvist drawings and maps...bring these would-be ‘better tomorrows’ to life with grace and verve.” —Martha Cornog, Library Journal Xpress “Rich, amusing. . . . [A] good example of what history comics can do.” — The Beat “Warner and Dam have infused these often-absurd stories with joy and a measure of dignity.” —NPR Named a 2020 Great Graphic Novels for Teens by The Young Adult Services Association (YALSA). The stories of 30 self-made places around the world: Tired of your country's bad politics? Feeling powerless to change things? Start your own utopia instead! This nonfiction graphic novel collects the stories of 30 self-made places around the world built with a dream of utopia, whether a safe haven, an inspiring structure, or a better-run country. These are the empowering and eccentric visions of creators who struck out against the laws of their homelands, the approval of their peers, and even nature itself to reshape the world around them. Travel around the globe, from the Gay and Lesbian Kingdom of the Coral Sea Islands to the Indian rock garden of Nek Chand, the micronation of Sealand to the pirate-founded, anti-slavery community of Libertatia. Organized into 5 chapters: intentional communities, micronations, failed utopias, visionary environments, and strange dreams. Fans of Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis and Bryan Caplan's Open Borders will love the graphic novel This Land is My Land . The hope that tomorrow will be better than today is shared universally and depicted through the stories of people who were dissatisfied with the status quo, so they chose to build something better. Your Country Isn't Perfect--but With A Little Planning And A Personalized Flag, Your True Utopia May Be As Close As Your Own Backyard! Here Are The Stories Of Thirty Self-made Places Around The World Built With A Dream Of Utopia: From The Gay And Lesbian Kingdom Of The Coral Sea Islands To The Indian Rock Garden Of Nek Chand To The Micronation Of Sealand And Much More. Whether They Were Building An Ideal Community, A Safe Haven, An Inspiring Structure, Or A Better-run Country, These Creators Struck Out Against The Laws Of Their Homelands, The Approval Of Their Peers, Or Even Nature Itself To Shape The World Around Them.--cprovided By Publisher. By Andy Warner And Sofie Louise Dam. "Your country isn't perfect--but with a little planning and a personalized flag, your true utopia may be as close as your own backyard! Here are the stories of thirty self-made places around the world built with a dream of utopia: from the Gay and Lesbian Kingdom of the Coral Sea Islands to the Indian rock garden of Nek Chand to the micronation of Sealand and much more. Whether they were building an ideal community, a safe haven, an inspiring structure, or a better-run country, these creators struck out against the laws of their homelands, the approval of their peers, or even nature itself to shape the world around them."-- Provided by publisher