Confessions of an Eco-Warrior [Paperback]

Dave Foreman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2, 1993

A book that will set the course for the environmental movement for years to come, Confessions of an Eco-Warrior is an inspiring ecological call to arms by America's foremost and most controversial environmental activist. "Rude and brilliant. Read it and you will see the future".--William Kittredge.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In light of environmentalist Foreman's arrest in 1989 in Tucson, Ariz., on sabotage-conspiracy charges and impending trial, the title seems enticing. But these 19 urgent essays aren't exactly "confessions." Foreman, co-founder of the militant Earth First! movement, discusses his legal problems only to the extent of claiming he was framed. His aim here is, instead, to lecture on the importance of preserving and rehabilitating a disappearing wilderness. Earth is in crisis, stresses Foreman, and human hands must be restrained from mistreating the wilderness. Grizzlies and redwoods, in Foreman's realm, deserve at least as much status as humans. The author, who long ago lost faith in government protection of wilderness, seeks to restore passion to environmental groups and spur individuals to acts of civil disobedience when needed. Much of the book is familiar material but, with expected trial publicity, Foreman's important message should reach new ears.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Foreman, founder of the controversial environmental group EarthFirst! and coeditor with Bill Haywood of Ecodefense: A Field Guide to Monkeywrenching (EarthFirst!, 1985), here reflects on his involvement with EarthFirst! and why he left the group last year. He also discusses his environmental philosophy and outlines a plan to change the National Wilderness Preservation System. While believing passionately in the idea that the Earth, not humanity, is the most important reason for conservation, he offers reassessments of some of the group's more notorious methods. This is environmental philosophy at its finest and should be read by everyone who cares about the future of the planet. Although it will be considered controversial by some, it is an excellent purchase for libraries providing balanced viewpoints on the conservation movement.
- Eva Lautemann, De Kalb Coll. Lib., Clarkston, Ga.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Crown Trade Paperbacks; First Edition edition (November 2, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 051788058X
• ISBN-13: 978-0517880586
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.8 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #614,667 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Join the green revolution, August 23, 2007

By 

Christopher Mounce (Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Destined to set the course for the environmental movement for years to come, an inspiring call to arms by one of the founders of Earth First!

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Confessions of an Eco-Warrior, October 19, 2005

By 

Cwn_Annwn (Copenhagen, Denmark) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Confessions of an Eco-Warrior (Paperback)

Before they were taken over by politically correct left coast weenies Foremans Earth First! was a very cool thing. They were "redneck hippies" who had a love for American wilderness and took radical steps to conserve it. Written after the FBI's attempt to set him up on bogus charges and after he left EF! Foreman lays out his ideas on conservation/ecology and his reflections on his life and times in the environmental movement. There is an emphasis on the wilderness in the western United States with Foreman but thats to be expected considering thats where he's from. Excellent auto-biography from an admirable man who has a lot of interesting ideas.

18 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Can Change Attitudes, September 21, 2000

By 

K. Johnson (US/Asia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Confessions of an Eco-Warrior (Paperback)

Dave Foreman, lifelong preservationist, and founder of the Environmental organization called "EarthFirst!" provides an insightful explanation into the state of our nation and our world today from the preservationist viewpoint. Foreman refers often to historical information, biological research, ecological studies, demographic trends, science, population growth, political and economic facts, statistics, and motivations to explain the "why," "who" and "how" of our environmental condition today. "Common man" cattle-ranchers, behemoth corporations, bureaucratic agencies, and working and middle class--us, I, we humans--are relevant in this very mature and logical book. This is not a political or economically ideological book. The goal is to preserve what's left of our planet, pure and simple. "EarthFirst!" is inclusive for people from all economic, sociological, political, and religious backgrounds. In other words, it's not just for the so-called Greeners or Naturalists.

The bibliography noted in this text can lead anyone to further learn about the multitude of thinking, politics, history, and scientifically-based fact, which is the foundation of the preservationist movement. Foreman's description of the many species of plant and animal life makes the reader want to jump right into the natural world. Most of it is gone, however. Extinct. And many more species of animal and plant life are dwindling everyday. In the past I've read and viewed descriptions of "EarthFirst!" from those not familiar with environmentalism or biocentrism. Its coverage of "EarthFirst!" was extremely misleading in my opinion. This book is not a ranting and raving diatribe in any way. It is completely the opposite. This is an honest look at what we humans have been doing for centuries, and the all-encompassing ramifications and lower quality of life that will result from it for all of us. This book unemotionally describes and explains how our nation and world has been transformed, and it is saddening and frustrating. But that does not mean that it is too late for the expansion of positive preservationist thinking, eco-education, and action. In fact, it is more important today than ever at this stage. I've never been involved in environmental movements or have been much of an Outdoor person. I go camping occasionally, have done some hiking, and have always respected and admired natural beauty. Yet, I was mostly oblivious to much of the details of the environmental issues that I read about in the newspapers, saw on television news, and watched on documentaries regarding the environmental topics of today. It is people like me that a book like this can reach, and change. I am one of the masses. And this book can, I believe have a profound impact on the masses, in the way we think and how we act. Every North American should read this book. In my opinion it should be required reading in our schools as a starting point on how we view our world.