Life in the 21st century is throwing up challenges across the globe. From climate emergency to extreme politics, from women’s rights to gender identity. We can often feel powerless and unable to make a difference in these bewildering times. But throughout history, poets, writers and campaigners have used the power of the beautiful word to exhort us to stand up, rebel and help make that change.

From anthemic nature poems and Irish folksongs to Allen Ginsberg’s evocative ‘Sunflower Sutra’ and George Moses Horton’s ‘On Liberty and Slavery’. From William Blake’s ‘Auguries of Innocence’ and the poetic prose of Nan Shepherd to Jean ‘Binta’ Breeze’s ‘Tweet Tweet’, the words of famous poets mingle with lesser-known voices in this powerful collection.

As Pablo Neruda said, ‘Poetry is rebellion.