Coming March 2026

Derived from the ancient Chinese philosophical precepts of Daoism, here is a book intended to embolden change for the better—at a time when so much seems geared for the worse.

Daoist philosophy holds a set of principles that are completely opposite to the normal modes of social activism.  It opposes conflict, striving, standard-setting, clever techniques, and any kind of trust in language. Instead, it promotes grounding oneself in the reality of the world, looking to flow in natural directions, disengagement from conflict, and patience. 

The Activist tries to bring out the “common-sense” aspect of Daoist ideals to advocate for a new kind of social activism.  It critiques common modes of social and political activism and proposes new modes of activism that might be more effective in promoting positive change in the world.

Praise for The Activist

The Activist by Daniel Fried is one of those rare creative works that combine meticulous scholarly research with literary sensibilities and concerns about the world we are living in. The book brings the ancient Chinese Daoist ideas to bear on issues of social activism in contemporary America in a surprisingly intriguing and relevant form and makes very enjoyable reading.

–Zhang Longxi, author of A History of Chinese Literature and World Literature as Discovery.

A powerful inspiration for Chinese or other minority writers. The Activist encourages confronting racism not through direct conflict, but with clarity and inner strength. Rooted in Daoist wisdom, it offers a path of resistance and reconciliation, guiding writers to turn storytelling into a quiet yet deeply transformative act of protest.

 –Cathy Shi, President, Edmonton Chinese Writing Club and anti-racism activist

I’ve read countless books on protest, but none have done what Daniel Fried’s The Activist does. It doesn’t cheerlead, doesn’t lecture, doesn’t dress up old tactics in new slogans. Instead, it slips under the surface of what activism is usually believed to mean, and pulls something ancient, unfamiliar, and quietly subversive into view. This is a book for people who’ve grown tired of shouting, who sense that sometimes the most radical act is not to fight harder, but to move differently. It draws from Daoism not to exoticize, but to excavate a philosophy that has always known how to work with the grain of power rather than crash against it. What emerges is not just a strategy but a way of seeing. What gives authority to this way of seeing is the author himself, a rare kind of Daoist thinker who, as I know, embodies the integration of knowing and doing, living Daoism instead of just interpreting it. Fried’s new book won’t stir your anger. It might, though, change your instincts. 

–Dr. Hongbing Yu, Former President of the Semiotic Society of America and Associate Professor at Toronto Metropolitan University

The Activist by Daniel Fried challenged (like all good art does) my perception of modern day social activism. By drawing on historical protests and ancient Chinese Daoism theory, in a very accessible and educational way, Fried invites us to reflect on how we can strategically impact the issues we care about in our ever changing world. 

–Jordon Hon, visual artist and community organizer

Some books are compelling because readers can’t put them down. Fried’s The Activist is compelling because readers will need to put it down and sit in quiet with it, adopting the Daoist non-action (wuwei) the book advances in order to find their way to its new, but very old, and very unexpected ideas about changing the world and having a future for everyone.

–Dr. Jennifer Quist, award-winning author of the novels The Apocalypse of Morgan Turner, Sistering, and Love Letters of the Angels of Death

Using contemporary and historical examples of protest movements, Fried has painstakingly analysed and revealed how collective actions meant for effecting positive social changes are often hijacked and derailed by twisted words, rules and boundaries. The author delicately nudges the reader to be “en garde” of the meaning of words said, actions taken and their alignment with the cause and demanded outcome in collective actions.

–Steve C.F. Au-Yeung,  Director of Daoist Studies, Po Yuen Taoist Centre Society, Vancouver BC

The Activist is one of the most lyrical works of English nonfiction I have ever read. You can feel the yin and yang of Chinese literature inside it, like the noonday sun and the midnight moon shining at the same time.

–Joyce Zhang, Chinese translator of Alice Munro’s Dance of the Happy Shades and Too Much Happiness

Capturing many of the insights of classical Daoism, Professor Daniel Fried’s insightful book brings out the strategic usefulness of making change slowly and gently in politics and governance in the modern world.

–Laifong Leung, Professor Emerita, University of Alberta, and author of Contemporary Chinese Fiction Writers

In an era where others jump at the chance to twist our words and misconstrue our actions, how we handle such situations has become critically important. When both quiet and vocal resistance are met with forceful pushback, what are we to do? Is there not a middle path, one that can yield results without antagonizing others? In The Activist, Daniel Fried passionately and convincingly argues Yes! Recasting the teachings of ancient Chinese Daoism for the modern, conflict-prone reader, Fried shares how reading, teaching, and applying Daoism to his own life has resulted in a more joyful and humorous outlook. This is a book for our times, in response to our times. It will cause you to think, laugh, and shake your head in amazement, but most importantly, it will stir you into action!

–David Chai, Associate Professor at The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Daniel Fried is an accomplished scholar of Daoism. This philosophy has usually been associated in the popular mind with ‘mysticism.’ Daniel Fried, however, provides us with unique insights into the social and political relevance of this philosophical school of thought for our times.

–Kim-Chong Chong, Professor Emeritus, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and author of Zhuangzi’s Critique of the Confucians