Reviews

How to Blow Up a Pipeline by Andreas Malm

tazerfish's review against another edition

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3.0

Mostly just a spicy headline.
It doesn't have *much* to say except that the threat of climate change is very grave and nonviolence as an ideal can be pathological, especially when extended to non-vandalism—hell, even the suffragettes smashed windows!
Revolutions frequently turn violent, not through massive aggression by the protestors, but when people fight back against disproportionate repression by the established powers.

Take all this with a grain of salt, since at the time of writing this review nearly a year has passed since my reading it.

My conclusion: The message is interesting.
It's spreading the overton window, making us question pre-held beliefs.
That is good, I think.
Green protests have been remarkably peaceful, I don't think this risks creating tons of ecoterrorists.
On the other hand, groups like just stop oil, "letzte Generation" and others do, (from my limited view on things), seem to be counterproductive.

Sadly, its latter parts are a little unfocused.
Either the book could have been even shorter, or it could have been more academically rigorous in its analysis of historical and current political movements and the use of violence therein.
Reading a summary or talking with someone who's read the book will likely give you the jist.

spring_bean's review against another edition

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informative inspiring medium-paced

4.75

juliemowat's review against another edition

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3.0

Read this book at the urging of Ben-really look forward to discussing it

Gave me lots to think about, well researched but not well written and organized-hard to follow... and depressing. It did not motivate me to do anything which saddens me-wish the book at inspired action instead of deep theory thought-I don't think that was Malm's objective

woutnordbeck's review against another edition

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Heb al een langere tijd het gevoel dat sabotage en andere soorten van geweld aan objecten en gebouwen gerechtvaardigd en zelfs noodzakelijk zijn in de strijd tegen een absolute klimaat catastrofe, fijn dat ik hiervoor nu ook een paar formele argumenten heb gelezen. Het had geen kwaad gekund als het iets polemischer was opgeschreven.

jershkat's review against another edition

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challenging dark hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

ugwujane's review against another edition

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5.0

Much to think about (and do) after reading this book.

ioq's review against another edition

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informative medium-paced

3.0

mvindc's review against another edition

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3.0

I am not sure what I was expecting from this book, but it wasn't to be yelled at by a white man who has never really examined his privilege or considered intersectionality. I found his approach to be frustratingly unaware of the risks and harms that people of color would face for engaging in the tactics he lays out as "self-evident," especially in the US system of mass incarceration and systemic racism.

zivi's review against another edition

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challenging informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

It felt a little bit surface level intro to climate activism but, as it was the first book I read on it, it was a solid read. 

jerricrocko's review against another edition

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challenging inspiring reflective fast-paced