Striking At The Roots - Mark Hawthorne

The original version of Striking at the Roots: A Practical Guide to Animal Activism was published in 2008, and now ten years later comes a majorly revised version, incorporating social media and other newer resources to this awesome book.

Each chapter follows a clearly accessible pattern: a way to make a change, examples of how it can be successful, efficient ways of working, and different ways you can help. From leafleting and tabling, writing (articles, letters, op-eds etc), to protests and demonstrations, food fairs, and corporate campaigning, direct action, lobbying, and beyond: everything is covered in detail. Whether you are newly into animal activism, or already a seasoned activist, there is something to help everyone in this book.

There are so many helpful parts in this book: it really is a hugely important guidebook to those interested in delving deeper into animal activism, and activism in general. I really like that it covers literally everything from leafleting to possible incarceration and how to deal with it, and also contains a chapter on activist self-care, which is so important. There are also several appendices at the end which provide tons of information on how things are changing thanks to the continued hard work of activists around the world, steps each of us can easily take to make a changes, and also important facts for activists in different countries (laws, what to do if arrested etc).

I love the whole concept that changing just one person’s mind can make a huge difference, a kind of ripple effect so to speak. I did it at home by serving up vegan dishes to my other half, a professional cook and meat lover. It made him realize how much further we could go in terms of providing delicious options to counter meat dishes in restaurants. If we all do this type of work we can collectively make real change.

This book is so easy to read and so helpful – I already know a few people that I want to get it for as a Christmas gift. I have taken so many notes while writing this book, with ideas for blog articles, op-eds, as well as challenges to do with the family at home, and I think that many people will appreciate it in the same way as I did. I love how accessible it is too, there really is something for everyone inside it.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy!