Book Review: Striking at the Roots: A Practical Guide to Animal Activism
Striking at the Roots: A Practical Guide to Animal Activism shows how anyone can put their compassion into action.
Nathan Runkle's world was rocked the day activists handed him some literature explaining how billions of animals are treated every year in our society. "I had never heard of factory farming or vivisection or veal crates or battery cages," he says. "I was shocked. I felt sick to my stomach." Even at 11 years old, Nathan knew he had to do something about this injustice, and he did: He promptly stopped eating animals and then, four years later, established one of most active animal-rights groups in the United States.
Nathan is among more than 100 activists readers will meet in Striking at the Roots: A Practical Guide to Animal Activism. Concise and full of practical examples and resources, this manual for success demonstrates how many of the world's most engaged advocates overcome obstacles, speak to the public, lobby policymakers, conduct corporate and restaurant outreach, deal with law enforcement, cope with stress and avoid burnout - all while keeping their eyes on the prize of achieving victories for animals.
Why a book on animal activism? When asked in a 2006 Label Networks survey which non-profit they are most interested in volunteering for, nearly 30% of respondents age 13 to 24 replied People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. This was by a wide margin the most popular answer, indicating a strong interest among this demographic in being active for animals. Furthermore, when the same survey asked this group why they are not already active, the number-two open-ended answer was "I don't know how to get started."
Clearly, many people want to take action for animals but either don't have the necessary knowledge or don't know where to look for it. Now available from O Books, Striking at the Roots fills that void, bringing together the most effective tactics for speaking out for animals and giving voice to activists from around the globe, who explain why their models of activism have been successful - and how anyone can foster the growing awareness of animal abuse, inspire awakenings and help create changes for billions of lives every year.
Striking at the Roots will empower activists to make the most of their skills. From simple leafleting and tabling to shelter work and taking direct action, each chapter clearly explains where to begin, what to expect and how activists can ensure their message is heard.
"Striking at the Roots by Mark Hawthorne is an eloquent reminder that in this age of big organizations, big money, and big media, it's still the individual activist who makes the real difference. Clear, practical guidance on everything from letter writing to civil disobedience is combined with inspiring and edifying stories of people from around the world who are making their voices heard for the animals. A must-read for both the veteran activist and the person who wants to get involved but isn't quite sure how to get started. I wish it had been available when I got started as an animal activist, and I'm certainly glad it's here now. It ranks with the best guides to animal advocacy that have ever been written."
Norm Phelps, author of The Longest Struggle: Animal Advocacy from Pythagoras to PETA and The Great Compassion: Buddhism and Animal Rights
"Brilliant, easy to read, full of real-life experiences and practical examples. If you want to make your life count, influence others and save a few thousand lives, this book is your roadmap. Give it to everyone you know!"
Ingrid Newkirk, president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
"Striking at the Roots is a practical field guide for animal rights activists that covers a wide spectrum of
strategies and tactics for dealing with the media, the courts, the streets, and those foul dark places of horror where animals are so cruelly treated, and where compassionate activists must reluctantly venture, in pursuit of effective intervention. If you are serious about helping animals, then you should seriously read this book."
Captain Paul Watson, founder and president of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.
"Mark Hawthorne demonstrates that anyone, regardless of the resources at their disposal, can and should get active for animals. His advice for positive, results-oriented advocacy will help advance the cause of animal protection. For anyone interested in what they can do to garner wins for animals, Mark's book is a great place to start."
Wayne Pacelle, president and chief executive officer of The Humane Society of the United States.
"Striking at the Roots is an eloquent and inspirational guide to action for animals. The power to change society rests with each and every one of us - it's not enough to change ourselves, we have an obligation to planet Earth, to the web of life itself, to change others. This book motivates and informs, puts the passion into compassion and will save lives."
Juliet Gellatley, founder and director of Viva!
"Mark Hawthorne once again reminds us of the power of one. Striking at the Roots is a complete roadmap for animal activists, from letter writing to guiding those who may find themselves arrested. It directs readers to available resources, organizations, and individuals. But it goes beyond the general guide book by including passionate stories from national leaders and grassroots activists from
several countries. It also considers the emotional toll on activists by offering guidance for finding one's emotional level of activism and includes suggestions on maintaining some peace of mind while engaged in the struggle; this is a major contribution. Striking at the Roots is a compassionate and valuable tool for activists."
Dorothy H. Hayes, author of Animal Instinct
"In Striking at the Roots, Mark Hawthorne manages to set before us the full horrors of man's inhumanity to animals without leaving the reader feeling helpless and puny. He has talked to campaigners in many countries, analyzing what works and, having done so, can signpost the way to positive action. His writing is lucid, shrewd and results-driven. He advises on everything from talking to the public
at a street stall to affecting a change of policy at a major corporation. There is also guidance on how to survive emotionally the knowledge that, second by second, money and prestige come to those who mass produce, abuse and dispose of animals. His message is that the task we face is immense but that when people of compassion apply themselves skillfully, we have what it takes to change the world."
Andrew Tyler, director of Animal Aid.
"There is not a single page of this book from which I did not learn something valuable!"
Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, author of When Elephants Weep: The Emotional Lives of Animals and The Pig Who Sang to the Moon: The Emotional World of Farm Animals
"Many people want to help end animal abuse but don't know where to start. This book is an excellent guide for everything from casual, spare-time activism to full-time careers."
Dan Piraro, creator of "Bizarro".
More information can be found online at www.strikingattheroots.com or at
www.o-books.com.
Mark Hawthorne adopted a vegetarian lifestyle soon after an encounter with one of India's many cows in 1992 and went vegan a decade later. His writing has appeared in Satya, VegNews, Vegan Voice, Herbivore, Hinduism Today, Lapis.com, Utne.com and daily newspapers across the US. He serves on the outreach advisory council for Animal Place, a farmed-animal sanctuary and education center in northern California. Much of Mark's work is chronicled on his Web site, firstprecept.com.
Striking at the Roots: A Practical Guide to Animal Activism - now available!
US Contact:
Mark Hawthorne
707-543-6889
veganforlife[at]sbcglobal.net.
UK Contact:
Catherine Harris
44 (0)1962-773762
catherine.harris[at]o-books.net.
