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willow_box_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
mcloonejack's review against another edition
4.0
Right off the bat, this should be titled “Why to Blow Up a Pipeline,” not “How” lol (as other reviews have pointed out). That’s not really the reason for three stars, but worth noting.
First the good: Andreas Malm covers a surprising amount of ground for such a short book. There’s a succinct history of the climate movement, an involved argument for more aggressive anti-fossil fuel action over continued non-violence, and refutations of climate fatalism stances. At their core, these arguments are well thought out, and he has the mixture of facts and logic to support his stances. This is clearly well-researched, which is appreciated when the ideas being posed are so radical.
For the not-so-good: The organization of this book, or lack thereof at times, leaves a lot to be desired. Instead of three wide-ranging sections, it would be better served broken down further into parts with ideas more clearly streamlined. This need was clearest, ironically, towards the end, when Malm transitions to breaking down climate fatalism back to the anecdote he uses at the opening of the book so abruptly that it muddled his point. And then the book just… ends.
This also would’ve been well-served with actually a few more pages, particularly for a section of maybe a hypothetical timeline of actions? Or maybe a more in-depth look at possible hurdles—as other reviews mention, Malm doesn’t really touch on the issue of, say, mass arrests much. Books that focus on such radical ideas can often become too idealistic, or at least of being accused of it. Not that I think these books have a duty to pre-refute all potential claims of bias (Malm would surely admit he is), but it would be good to have here.
Overall, as a completely different look at climate action than you see in the “mainstream,” this is as good an entry point as any.
First the good: Andreas Malm covers a surprising amount of ground for such a short book. There’s a succinct history of the climate movement, an involved argument for more aggressive anti-fossil fuel action over continued non-violence, and refutations of climate fatalism stances. At their core, these arguments are well thought out, and he has the mixture of facts and logic to support his stances. This is clearly well-researched, which is appreciated when the ideas being posed are so radical.
For the not-so-good: The organization of this book, or lack thereof at times, leaves a lot to be desired. Instead of three wide-ranging sections, it would be better served broken down further into parts with ideas more clearly streamlined. This need was clearest, ironically, towards the end, when Malm transitions to breaking down climate fatalism back to the anecdote he uses at the opening of the book so abruptly that it muddled his point. And then the book just… ends.
This also would’ve been well-served with actually a few more pages, particularly for a section of maybe a hypothetical timeline of actions? Or maybe a more in-depth look at possible hurdles—as other reviews mention, Malm doesn’t really touch on the issue of, say, mass arrests much. Books that focus on such radical ideas can often become too idealistic, or at least of being accused of it. Not that I think these books have a duty to pre-refute all potential claims of bias (Malm would surely admit he is), but it would be good to have here.
Overall, as a completely different look at climate action than you see in the “mainstream,” this is as good an entry point as any.
readinglobster's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
nephilimoli's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
This book is an important read for someone serious about environmental action. Although the book has some fallacies in its rhetoric, the core message and argumentation is valid and appropriate.
brisingr's review against another edition
4.0
4.5
A book about the measures taken right now against climate change - and what the past of such measures looked like, and what the future might look like. It's a much needed call for action, and I recommend this book to anyone who wants a show introductory book into how climate activism looks like across the world. May we find the power in us to retake power in our hands after the pandemic.
A book about the measures taken right now against climate change - and what the past of such measures looked like, and what the future might look like. It's a much needed call for action, and I recommend this book to anyone who wants a show introductory book into how climate activism looks like across the world. May we find the power in us to retake power in our hands after the pandemic.