Common Courage Press
An independent American book publisher focused on social justice, political criticism, and left-wing perspectives.
Last updated August 31, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
History
Common Courage Press was formed in 1991 in the United States by Greg Bates and Flic Shooter. The founders created a small publishing operation with an editorial focus distinct from that of mass-market and large commercial houses. Its stated or demonstrated area of interest was politically engaged nonfiction, particularly books addressing social justice, war, foreign policy, and the exercise of state power. The press's first book was Mobilizing Democracy: Changing The U.S. Role in the Middle East. The title criticized the Gulf War and the United States' role in the Middle East, providing an early indication of the publisher's willingness to issue works that questioned established foreign-policy positions. This orientation remained central to its catalogue and became a defining part of the Common Courage Press identity. During the 1990s, the company operated as a small press with an average output of approximately 10 to 12 books annually. By 1998 it had published 57 books. Its scale allowed it to concentrate on specialized political and social themes rather than attempting to maintain the broad genre coverage of a large publishing conglomerate. The press's list was associated with a leftist point of view and with advocacy-oriented or critical approaches to public affairs. Common Courage Press gained particular recognition through its publication of works by Noam Chomsky and William Blum. Blum's Killing Hope: U.S. Military and CIA Interventions Since World War II, issued by the press in 1995, examined American military and covert interventions after the Second World War. An updated second edition followed in 2004. Blum's later Rogue State: A Guide to the World's Only Superpower appeared in 2000, while Freeing the World to Death: Essays on the American Empire was published in 2004. Together, these works became representative of the press's emphasis on historical criticism of American foreign policy and global influence. In 1997, Ralph Nader praised Common Courage Press for filling a role he believed was neglected by major publishers. His remarks framed the press as an institution willing to support books because of their political importance, even when their subjects or arguments might not be considered safe commercial choices. This recognition reinforced the publisher's public positioning as an independent and politically courageous alternative to mainstream publishing. The available reference material identifies the press as based in Monroe, Maine, but does not provide reliable information about later ownership, management, annual output, financial condition, distribution arrangements, or whether it continues to publish new books. Accordingly, no current executives or ownership claims are recorded, and the company's present operating status remains unknown.
- 2004
Expanded Blum catalogue
[1]Common Courage Press issues an updated second edition of Killing Hope and publishes Freeing the World to Death: Essays on the American Empire.
- 2000
Publication of Rogue State
[1]The press publishes William Blum's Rogue State: A Guide to the World's Only Superpower.
- 1998
Catalogue reaches 57 books
[1]Reference material records that the publisher had issued 57 books by this year.
- 1997
Ralph Nader recognizes the press
[1]Ralph Nader praises Common Courage Press for supporting politically courageous books that major publishers may avoid.
- 1995
Publication of Killing Hope
[1]Common Courage Press publishes William Blum's Killing Hope: U.S. Military and CIA Interventions Since World War II.
- 1991
Common Courage Press is founded
[1]Greg Bates and Flic Shooter establish Common Courage Press as an independent American publisher.
- 1991
First book addresses the Gulf War
[1]The press begins publishing with Mobilizing Democracy: Changing The U.S. Role in the Middle East, a critical examination of the Gulf War and United States policy in the region.
Products and positioning
An independent, politically committed small press publishing social-justice and leftist nonfiction, especially works that challenge official accounts of war, foreign policy, intelligence operations, and American global power.
Political nonfiction · 1991
Mobilizing Democracy: Changing The U.S. Role in the Middle East
Common Courage Press's first published book, this work criticizes the Gulf War and examines the United States role in the Middle East. It established the press's early commitment to politically oppositional nonfiction and to books that challenge official explanations of military intervention and foreign policy.
Foreign-policy history · 1995
Killing Hope: U.S. Military and CIA Interventions Since World War II
William Blum's historical survey examines United States military and CIA interventions after the Second World War. First issued by Common Courage Press in 1995, the book became one of the publisher's signature titles and was later released in an updated second edition in 2004.
Political criticism · 2000
Rogue State: A Guide to the World's Only Superpower
This William Blum book presents a critical account of the United States as a global superpower. Its subject matter, authorship, and publication by Common Courage Press reflect the press's emphasis on dissenting interpretations of American foreign policy and international influence.
Political essays · 2004
Freeing the World to Death: Essays on the American Empire
A collection of William Blum's essays addressing American power and the concept of empire. The title forms part of the press's notable Blum catalogue and extends its focus on intervention, geopolitical power, and criticism of United States policy.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/common-courage-press · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled