." Not really worth it. If future generations mythologize the Seattle protests, this book'll find itself in the middle of the protest canon. But, still, not really worth it. By which I mean it's really not worth it.
What it's got going for it is the psuedo-documentary stuff. What does it feel like in the middle of a big protest? There's nice little details that, if you're interested enough to learn (but not interested enough to join a protest/sports victory riot yourself), you'll find some of it interesting. It's pretty much like you'd expect: tear gas, running around, a lot of not understanding exactly why or what you're protesting.
In fact, that lack of understanding is a big annoyance in the novel. All the good characters are protesters, and all the bad guys work for the WTO. Why be a good guy? Because the WTO is a bunch of dicks. That's as deep as the analysis goes--the main baddie is distinguished by both his zeal to be on the wrong side of every issue as well as his dickishness to people who interrupt him reading a newspaper. All the protesters are good guys.
That's pretty much it: Don't be a dick! Protest the WTO! says Newman. Why? Because that's what the good guys do.
