Taking the Rap

This gripping memoir offers a raw, unfiltered look at the radical political movements of 1980s Canada through the eyes of a woman who lived them. Ann Hansen recounts her journey from idealistic activist to convicted member of the notorious Squamish Five, providing an intimate portrait of what drives ordinary people toward extraordinary actions. The narrative doesn't shy away from the moral complexities of direct action, exploring both the passion behind the politics and the human cost of revolutionary commitment.

Hansen's voice remains remarkably clear-eyed throughout, neither glorifying her past nor seeking easy redemption. What makes this account particularly compelling is its refusal to simplify the messy reality of political extremism—readers will find themselves challenged by the same ethical questions that haunted the author. For anyone interested in the psychology of activism, the limits of protest, and the personal consequences of political conviction, this book delivers a thought-provoking journey that lingers long after the final page.