Oilspill dotcom [Paperback]

Alon Shalev (Author)

Book Description

Release date: May 15, 2009

Oilspill dotcom was reissued as The Accidental Activist by Three Clover Press.  The author recommends that you consider reading The Accidental Activist.

The world is no longer defined by geographical borders, but by the actions of vast multinational corporations. Matt Fielding, a successful computer programmer, has never entertained such thoughts until his new girlfriend is suddenly arrested for libel against a huge oil conglomerate. Separated from his burgeoning romance and stunned by the David .v. Goliath odds being played out in the British legal system, Matt harnesses his talents to level the playing field. For the first time in history, the Internet is utilized for grassroots advocacy and the attention of the world is drawn to an epic court battle between a billion dollar corporation and a few individuals who refuse to be silenced. Alongside the court case, Oilspill dotcom humorously describes the transformation of a carefree yuppie, empowered first by romance and then by a genuine desire to change the world, one pixel at a time.

Product Details

• Paperback: 294 pages
• Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (May 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1439206511
• ISBN-13: 978-1439206515
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,896,456 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Oilspill dotcom was reissued as The Accidental Activist by Three Clover Press.  The author recommends that you consider reading The Accidental Activist.

Alon Shalev
alonshalev.com

From the Author

Oilspill dotcom was reissued as The Accidental Activist by Three Clover Press.  I recommend that you consider reading The Accidental Activist rather than this earlier edition.

Alon Shalev

Product Details

• Paperback: 294 pages
• Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (May 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1439206511
• ISBN-13: 978-1439206515
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,896,456 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Alon Shalev lives and writes in two worlds. He is the author of three social justice-themed novels and a series of Young Adult Epic Fantasy. He swears there is a connection.

In 2009, while on a family camping trip in Northern California, Shalev began writing an epic fantasy novel to read to his sons around the campfire. Over the next three years, both sons and the ancient redwood forests bore witness to the summoning of the Wycaan Masters.

His first epic fantasy novel, At The Walls Of Galbrieth, won the 2013 Eric Hoffer Book Award - YA Category and was a Grand Prize Finalist. The sequel, The First Decree, was released in March 2013, and the third book in the series, Ashbar, is expected in October. All books are published by Tourmaline Books.

More details of these novels can be found at the author's website (www.alonshalev.com) and he blogs weekly at www.elfwriter.com.

Shalev's activism is rooted in his teenage years campaigning with the Anti-Apartheid movement, for the release of Jews from the Soviet Union, and helping the burgeoning green movement. This led him to explore using fiction as a platform for social justice

Shalev continues to write in both genres. In 2012 Unwanted Heroes (pub. Three Clover Press) was released. Unwanted Heroes brings together an old, battle-scarred Chinese American war vet and an idealistic and pretentious young Englishmen, who share a love for San Francisco, coffee and wine. They soon discover they share even more when repressed memories bring them together as they find in each other unlikely allies to set themselves free from the tragic past that binds them both.

Other novels include:
A Gardener's Tale: a story of healing of family, land and community, along with a look at the Pagan religion and its time-honored impact upon rural communities.

The Accidental Activist: a fictional account of the astonishing 'McLibel' trial that captivated Britain in the 1990's, a David .v. Goliath court case that highlights the treachery and ruthlessness of the multinational corporations and how the advent of the Internet can curb them, when a few individuals refuse to back down. It is a defense of Freedom of Speech and the acknowledgment of the Internet as a tool for social change.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars It must have been great sex. December 29, 2009

By Lloyd Lofthouse VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Imagine going on a first date hoping to have hot sex and you end up being the Webmaster for a site that is part of the defense against a libel suit brought by one of the largest oil conglomerates on the planet. In addition, you are fired from your high paying job and start working for nothing--except for the sex.

Must have been incredible sex since this huge oil corporation hires an army of lawyers and is willing to spend tens of millions of dollars in court to stop Suzie, the new girlfriend, and send her to jail for a few years. The oil company even hires two security companies to infiltrate the environmental group Suzie works with.

I guess I should slow down and mention that Suzie's environmental group is fighting for a tribe in South America to keep this oil company from spoiling the land this primitive tribe has lived on for centuries. There is oil under the rainforest and money to be made, but there is an obstacle--the locals want to live as they've always lived without losing the trees.

Several years later, Suzie is still in court and the Website Matt built has had almost two hundred million hits, and he has altered history by showing the world what can be done with the Internet--things Matt didn't even know could be done. The story takes place in the 1990s.

Boy, love is powerful!

The Website is called "Oilspill dotcom". Hence the name of the book.

When we first meet Matt, he has no girlfriend but wants one and he's talking to his cat Gates. Since Matt is a computer geek, who gets paid big money and is a member of a programmer dream team, I wondered if the cat was named after Bill Gates. Smart cat.

"Oilspill dotcom" turned out to be a speedy read, since I had trouble putting the novel down.... I've read two other books in 2009 that impressed me as five star books, and those books took a bit longer to read. As much as I liked "600 hours of Edward" and "At the Table of Want", Shalev's book grabbed me and wouldn't let go. The only thing better in this world is chocolate and sex--of course.

I started reading Sunday night and was done Tuesday morning. I haven't read a book that fast in years.

I've read James Patterson, Dan Brown, Michael Crichton and John Grisham, and in my opinion Shalev is a better writer. More than once, he had me laughing and getting teary eyed while smiling. Those other four guys never did that. Don't get me wrong. I like those other guys, but Shalev told a better story with more depth. The book's cover is unassuming and in no way hints at the treasure hidden inside. Read more ›

5.0 out of 5 stars A good page turner August 20, 2009

By H. Rubin

Format:Paperback

I really enjoyed oilspill dotcom, the characters were intriguing and I wanted to keep reading to see the relationships unfold. The power of the internet in the 90s was very real and this novel accurately brings us back to the time when we were all amazed at the affect it had on us. Great read.

5.0 out of 5 stars An Engaging Courtroom and Politcal Novel August 20, 2009

By Katina

Format:Paperback

Oilspill dotcom is an engaging and insightful read that delves into the challenges of everyday people in the web of the courtroom system. The novel unfolds as a computer programmer and his political activist girlfriend becomes entangled in a hotly contested libel case. Shalev weaves a fast and engaging narrative which highlights the various players involved in courtroom battles. His novel is also a commentary on multinational corporations, their responsibilities, and sometimes questionable practices. Oilspill is a fascinating and satisfying read for anyone with a political appetite.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put this book down July 27, 2009

By S. Maltiel

Format:Paperback

From page 1 until the end, this book had my attention. I was entertained by the characters, the drama, and the love story. It was great to remember life before the internet made all information so quickly available.

Can't wait to read this author's second book!

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Libel in the UK July 5, 2009

By Tommy B

Format:Paperback

What starts out as innocence turns into an engaging courtroom drama revealing not only corporate "muscle" but also the position of defending against a libel suit in the UK. The story starts out slowly, but builds up to considerable drama. The author intersperse the seriousness of the issues with a nice touch of humor.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved It! October 19, 2010

By E.Smith

Format:Paperback

This novel begins with a hot first date that quickly evolves into something quite serious and unexpected. Although it deals with "little people" against a corporate giant and is based on a true case, it was the humor of the very likable protagonist that drew me in and kept me up until the wee hours.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A defense of freedom, a story of love September 3, 2009

By iae

Format:Paperback

This novel by Alon Shalev starts well and gets faster and stronger by the page. Most important is the passage when Suzie, the main character, speaks out for freedom and the right to express one's opinion: a fantastic summary of what freedom means. As the novel is based on a real case, it reveals how freedom of speech could be threatened by capitalistic multinational companies - and, of course, the company presents itself very realistically as who has the money has the power on this planet. Also do we gain insight in a legal system where the Court of Justice is not there to do justice, but to protect the laws - regardless of how outdated or unfair they might be. Sad, yet the novel brings a personal happy ending to Suzie and Matt, the storyteller and her companion, which finally counts more than power or money.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Good read from start to finish August 22, 2009

By Anne Lustig

Format:Paperback

Even though this book is fiction, it is based on a true story. It reads like a novel; it is engaging, we watch as the characters develop, and the ending is not obvious. It makes me curious to know the real story. It is clear that Mr. Shalev has researched his topic well. Can't wait to read more of his work.