Fred Kemp (1941-2018) published Downer & Bitchin’ in 1972 (our estimate -- the original publication is undated). Halfway between a book and a political pamphlet, it was Fred’s attempt to come to grips with his own place in his adopted country and his understanding of the forces then roiling social norms and political ideologies worldwide.

Though reflecting the tenor of the sixties and seventies, many of the ideas in the book remain as vital today as when Fred first put pen to paper: the dizzying pace of technological change, the strain a rapidly growing population places on the environment, the insidious roll of racism and nationalism, the limits of capitalism in addressing problems of its own making.

Fred’s viewpoint was neither predictive nor prescriptive, coming as it did from his background as a psychologist and academic. Rather, it was more a summation of any number of currents, both political and personal, that “the left” was struggling with at the time.

Through it all, Fred’s voice — with its deep-south Texas drawl — comes through as a clarion call to take up the struggle and create what he called a “joyous, beautiful set of alternatives” to the depressing reality of a post-industrial capitalist society.

Over the next few months, we will be republishing Fred's book in installments, based on the format of the original publication. Downer & Bitchin' covers a lot of ground. We welcome your comments, analysis and critiques.