Praise for

Building a greater society

  • “Every generation is called to confront the challenges facing our American inheritance. Disinformation, disillusionment, and political violence threaten to undermine the American promise. Connor powerfully urges us to consider what this means, particularly for Generation Z, as they come of age in a time of political peril and possibility. This is a timely story for tumultuous times.”

    Malcolm Kenyatta, Pennsylvania State Representative (D)

  • “Connor is unwavering in his commitment to the causes he believes in, consistently delivering on his promises to champion the issues that truly impact our community. His integrity is undeniable. Whenever he has the chance to use his platform to elevate someone else's voice, he seizes it without hesitation.”

    Anthony Green, Singer & Songwriter of Saosin, The Sound of Animals Fighting, L.S. Dunes, and Circa Survive

  • “The future of our democracy depends on young people getting involved in politics. Connor is the perfect guide in this vital moment.”

    Sally Kohn, TV commentator, communications coach, and author of The Opposite Of Hate: A Field Guide To Repairing Our Humanity

  • “Combining honesty and strategic thinking with a deep understanding of local politics, Building a Greater Society shows that O'Hanlon is not just a future political leader to keep an eye on, but also someone who has dedicated time and effort to grasp how political campaigns work and how young people can participate in their communities. This is not your typical political memoir—it's an essential guide for young people striving to push back against negativity and find ways to make a difference in their generation.”

    Rotimi Adeoye, Opinion Columnist with The Daily Beast

  • “Being one of the few Millennials elected to represent the people of Philadelphia, I know how important it is to inspire others to get involved and even run for office themselves. Throughout my time knowing Connor, we have discussed a vision for the future for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the country that provides opportunities for all and I hope to bring that future to fruition with him.”

    Anthony Bellmon, Pennsylvania State Representative (D)

  • “Insightful and inspiring, Connor weaves personal experience with a pragmatic view for a new generation to step into politics—and, be equipped to address some of our biggest common challenges. A must for aspiring leaders and anyone, from Millennial or Generation Z, who wants to be part of progress.”

    Andrew Sommers, Business Executive & Author of Engaged

Building a

Greater Society

by Connor OHanlon

Building a Greater Society: A Guide to Political Revolution for Millennials & Generation Z is a nonfiction book that speaks to young people and progressives who feel left out and underrepresented in the American political system and those who want to get involved but just don’t know where to start.

I wrote this book because…

I wanted to help other young people break down the perceived barriers of becoming politically active. I wanted to inspire others to take direct action to implement real change in their communities. And I wanted to motivate readers to take leadership roles and run for office! This is the book I wish I’d had when I first began my foray into political activism and organizing.

My hope is that…

in reading this book, you will discover that the barriers to getting engaged in the American political system aren’t as big as you may have thought. I hope to instill in you the same sort of passion and excitement that I have for progressive policy and activism. Ultimately, I want you to see this book as a tool to help you begin your journey into political organizing, activism, and advocacy.

In this book, you’ll learn about:

Historical & Political Context: From the Great Depression to Today - The political and historical context that shade our current political environment.

From “Pie-in-the-Sky” to Reality: Pragmatic examples of leaders and rhetorical approaches.

Navigating a Hostile Political Environment: How I went from student to Chairman in two short years and how you can do the same.

You will love this book if:

You are looking to make a positive impact in your community, you want to get involved in political organizing or advocacy, or you want to run for office someday!

About the Author

Connor OHanlon, is a CPA, the Chair of the Democratic Party in Doylestown, PA, and has spent his young adulthood serving his community on multiple non-profit and governmental boards. Connor's passion for progressive change led him to run for office at the age of twenty-three and shortly thereafter he became Chairman of the local party. In his role as Director of Candidate Development for the Bucks County Democratic Committee, he has coached and aided dozens of candidates to successfully run for office. His interest and knowledge of politics is amplified by his education from the Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania. When Connor is not knocking doors or running meetings, he can be found lifting weights, jamming with his friends on guitar, or at the local comic shop looking for anything Thor-related. 


The book is written in two parts...

In Part 1, I emphasize the historical context that I consider fundamental to understanding modern politics.

Starting from the Great Depression era due to its parallels to recent history and its significance as a turning point with the introduction of the New Deal. Throughout this section, I guide readers from that period through each subsequent decade, shedding light on lesser-known facts and highlighting overlooked progressive figures like Henry Wallace and Fred Hampton.

The key aspect of Part 1 is that each chapter connects, in some way, to an issue we currently face under either the Trump or Biden administrations. The final chapter of this section (covering the early 2000s through 2016) holds particular importance, as many potential readers have only experienced a post-9/11 world and may not have vivid memories of the Bush Administration.

Part 1 holds significance in terms of the implications and decision-making processes that have shaped the trajectory of our nation from the post-New Deal era (specifically the 1980s) to the present. It encompasses the realignment of political parties, the enactment of significant legislation, and sadly, the erosion of our political institutions and America's political resolve.

Part 2 delves into the "guide" aspect of the book

In Part 2, I share chapters based on my experiences within the Democratic Party, including my journey as a candidate for public office. These chapters encompass a range of topics including sharing my personal story and how I transformed from an individual lacking political credentials to the Chairman of the Democratic Party within a few short years, relying on hard work, dedication, and strategic thinking.

I share stories of others we can look to for inspiration as well as include tips and tricks to navigate the political landscape.

I also discuss how we can redefine the "American Centrist" through effective rhetoric and messaging and the likelihood of potential setbacks (especially for young folks) and how to handle them, using them as motivation to continue building a broader movement.