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gibbonguy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
4.0
Challenging read that is quite insightful. Can be quite unsettled and a bit depressing overall. Some sections were a bit repetitive making the same points over and again however is still a well written and researched perspective on the conflict between landowner and conservationists.
archytas's review against another edition
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
5.0
This is a fabulous non-fiction read. Holden's research into the murder is exceptional, and she uses it as an entry point into the changing social acceptance of land clearing (and property rights) that sets up the conflict, which itself she uses as an entry point into a discussion about environmental destruction and our future. The book manages to be both highly reflective and informative, and a tense true crime account of a family on the wrong side of the law who firmly believe they are on the right side of morality.
The character sketches here are what leavens the density of the exposition. Ian Turnbull, an octogenarian patriach in jeans and an Akubra, heads up a clan intent on ignoring the law, unbelieving that any legislation can prevent them sowing crops in Australia's most expensive soil. A man who allegedly burns koala corpses en masse so his land is not allocated to their protection and still believes he is the good guy, is drawn with respect. Glen Turner, the passionate, occasional inhaler of an enforcement officer is also accorded respect without hagiography.
But at its heart, this is a story about how we set laws, and how we fail to make them stick. About the conflict between the right to pursue profit and the rights of a commons are endlessly fought around settlement, fences and ploughs. It raises the big questions of whether we have the systems to allow ourselves to protect the environment we need to survive. And it is about communities: how they create succour and how they can also prevent difficult conversations that might, in turn, prevent worse.
It is a great book.
sharon_geitz's review
5.0
Wow what an amazing read! This is an incredibly rich analysis of white Australia's relationship to land, inspired by the 2014 murder of an environmental protection officer investigating illegal land clearing. An insightful reflection on how our history, culture and values led to a tragedy of epic proportions on a lonely country road. Highly, highly recommended!
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