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Andreas Malm: How to Blow up a Pipeline (2020, Verso Books) 3 stars

Why resisting climate change means combatting the fossil fuel industry

The science on climate change …

Maybe better suited to newcomers

2 stars

My number one critique of this book is that it had so many opportunities to share and relate revolutionary movements throughout history to the climate movement, and it did not. Even worse, there were parts of the book that critiqued attacks on oil pipelines in the SWANA region that were connected to local anti-imperialist movements, without drawing the connection between anti imperialism and the climate movement (embarrassing, frankly).

That said, I think the book is a fine introduction to the idea that violence in the form of property destruction is a legitimate action to take, although I wish the book made a stronger case to the idea of armed resistance in the pursuit of national democracy and socialism. I also think the last chapter of the book was the strongest, since it offered good critiques of climate doomerism.

Anyway, I shouldn't be surprised lol, but whatever, it was fine.

@strikescanbeillegal@bookwyrm.social To clarify, which topic are you wanting to learn more about? Are you wanting to learn more about direct action, or environmental justice (EJ)? Maybe even personal accounts of movement building? This book does touch on a lot of topics. Depending on what you want to learn, I also might not have an immediate answer - I am learning mostly through organizational political education. But I would love to find an answer for you!

Also, I will clarify: I don't necessarily think that this book is harmful, and I do think it would be a good primer for folks who are new to political organizing. I just think it's really important to understand that this book offers a pretty narrow perspective.