David, Goliath and the Beach Cleaning Machine: How a Small Polluted Beach Town Fought an Oil Giant--And Won (Capital Currents) [Paperback]

Barbara Wolcott (Author)

Book Description

Series: Capital Currents | Publication Date: September 2004

Written by Pulitzer-prize-nominee Barbara Wolcott, "David, Goliath and the Beach Cleaning Machine" is the hard-hitting story of a young lawyer’s heroic quest to rally his town of fierce independents against the corporate giant that had polluted their town and brought on environmental disaster. Wolcott describes Rizzo’s suit, the first of nearly sixty, including some filed by Ed Masry of Erin Brockovich fame, and how the town finally triumphed to the tune of $18 million in damages as well as an estimated $100-200 million for clean-up. As a result of the massive clean-up, beautiful Avila Beach has been almost totally leveled and the townspeople are fighting to save those buildings that represent their history and sense of place. Now that the town is in the spotlight as a model of environmental rescue, the beach cleaning machine has arrived!

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a well-researched, richly detailed, edge-of-your-bedside page-turner with a weighty message." -- Susan Stewart, San Luis Obispo (CA) New Times, November 27, 2003

"The book shines when Wolcott introduces local color." -- Eliza Murphy, Rain Taxi Review of Books, Spring 2004

"Wolcott presents a balanced expose..." -- Booklist

From the Publisher

In the tradition of A Civil Action and Erin Brockovich, a determined young lawyer and his fellow residents save Avila Beach, California from the environmental disaster left behind by a multinational oil company.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Capital Books (September 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 193186876X
• ISBN-13: 978-1931868761
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #828,913 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)