Ann has already written extensively about her life and much of that writing will be found in her book. Because she has her writing from that time, it has a fresh quality. It’s not a recollection of something that happened 50 years ago, it’s of the moment! Many people wonder what inspired Ann’s trip to … More World Peace Congress, Helsinki, 1965
For many years, Ann was very actively involved with the Redwood Funeral Society, which was dedicated to exposing the problems in the funeral industry. They were inspired by and knew the English activist “Decca” Mitford who wrote The American Way of Death. In 1992, Jackie Spier was conducting an investigation in Sacramento. At one of the press … More A Little “Street Theater”
Papercuts have long been a popular art form in China. While Ann was in China, she bought some and came back to the U.S. with an extensive collection. Some of them are available as rewards for supporting the Kickstarter campaign. To check out all the rewards, go to the campaign at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1559887965/across-oceans-and-revolution-a-principled-life Thank you!
Among my happiest times in China were my stints of physical labor with the peasant team at the Evergreen Commune (Sijieqing Gongshe), where I felt very warmly welcomed and was patiently helped. I felt that we all became friends, despite language limitations. I admired the stamina of the peasants, who worked hard from early to … More Sharing work and laughter with Chinese peasants
In 1974, Ann wrote a long pamphlet titled “Constructive Criticism and Self-Criticism: A Method for Preventing and Solving Problems.” She also created workshops on the subject. She had heard the phrase “Criticism/Self-Criticism” used in China, but had never received a full explanation of its meaning and application. She set out to create a meaning and … More Criticism and Self/Criticism – Some of Ann’s Post-China Work
Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed so far. Twenty-four of you have supported Ann’s work and the campaign is at 16% of its goal with 45 more days to go. That’s still a long way to go, so we hope you’ll want to donate and that you will pass this on to … More Kickstarter Update
I can’t write this book without your help. I need an assistant to help with organization, typing, the website and so much more. Therefore, I have launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise the necessary funds. I hope you’ll be able to help, but, even if you can’t, I hope you’ll let others know about it. … More Kickstarter Up and Running!
“Ann Tompkins’ rich and complex life has touched many people. She was raised aboard an 85-foot schooner in the 1930s, struggled against the California “loyalty oath” for teachers, defended the right of a new China to have a voice at a 1965 international peace conference, was one of a handful of Americans in China during … More Testimonial from Lincoln Cushing
How many lives include a childhood sailing on a schooner and time in China during the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution? Hello. My name is Ann Tompkins. I’ve had an unusual life and if I had a nickel for everyone that ever said, “You should write a book,” I’d be wealthy. As a matter of fact, … More I’m writing a book!
Across Oceans and Revolution: A Principled Life 