Ordinary People, Extraordinary Times
Ordinary People, Extraordinary Times
Skye Perryman — President & CEO of Democracy Forward and TIME 100 honoree — makes the case that defending democracy isn’t the job of lawyers or politicians alone — it’s a role for every one of us.
Available August 25, 2026
“This book is for all of us, regardless of your politics.” —Michael Steele★“Ordinary People, Extraordinary Times will help to restore the power of every reader.” —Gloria Steinem★“The rare book that captures why this moment is so urgent — and then hands you something to do about it.” —Reshma Saujani★“A must read and must do.” —Stacey Abrams★“Exactly the book this moment demands — and she’s written it for all of us.” —Dolores Huerta★“Skye Perryman offers not more angst and the obvious, but real direction.” —Annie & Willie Nelson★“An inspiring and empowering guide for every American.” —Governor JB Pritzker★“A manual for people who are tired of wringing their hands and are ready to roll up their sleeves.” —Hillary Clinton★
“This book is for all of us, regardless of your politics.” —Michael Steele★“Ordinary People, Extraordinary Times will help to restore the power of every reader.” —Gloria Steinem★“The rare book that captures why this moment is so urgent — and then hands you something to do about it.” —Reshma Saujani★“A must read and must do.” —Stacey Abrams★“Exactly the book this moment demands — and she’s written it for all of us.” —Dolores Huerta★“Skye Perryman offers not more angst and the obvious, but real direction.” —Annie & Willie Nelson★“An inspiring and empowering guide for every American.” —Governor JB Pritzker★“A manual for people who are tired of wringing their hands and are ready to roll up their sleeves.” —Hillary Clinton★
MORE THAN A BOOK
A Guide for
All of Us
The future of our country lies in all of our hands. Drawing on her frontline experience challenging threats to democracy in courtrooms across the nation, Skye Perryman combines gripping personal stories with practical how-to guides that empower readers to take action in their own communities — from protecting voting rights and public schools to finding courage in the face of fear.
Accessible, hopeful, and deeply practical, Ordinary People, Extraordinary Times shows that the path forward begins not in the halls of power — but at our kitchen tables, in our neighborhoods, and through the everyday choices we make to speak up, build community, and protect our future.
INSIDE THE BOOK
Seven Actions Everyone Can Take
01: Stop Spiraling & Pick Up a Shovel
02: Achieve Information Sobriety
03: Begin at Your Front Door
04: Practice Tailgate Accountability
05: Get Serious About Fear, Courage, & Joy
06: Remember the Past, Fight for the Future
07: Keep Going, the Only Way Out Is Through
The Only Way Out is Through
When fear and confusion are the point, the most powerful thing any of us can do is refuse to look away — and to act.
This book is for anyone who wants to know where to start.
About Skye Perryman
Skye Perryman is the President and CEO of Democracy Forward, a national legal organization that advances democracy and progress in the courts. Named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in the World, she is a leader in the largest affirmative litigation effort against executive branch overreach in United States history.
Known for blending legal expertise with accessible, inspiring storytelling, she is a frequent commentator on NBC, MSNBC, CNN, and NPR, and her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, TIME, and Newsweek. A proud product of K–12 public schools in Waco, Texas, she holds degrees from Baylor University and Georgetown University Law Center.
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I started writing this book when it became undeniably clear, as our history also teaches, that it is not our institutions that will save us—not the courts, not corporate generosity, not the universities, not the media—but it is the people.
—Skye Perryman
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Ordinary People, Extraordinary Times
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