One No, Many Yeses by Paul Kingsnorth

One No, Many Yeses Reviews

• 
  Beorn

  An interesting relatively un-spun read that takes the reader behind the smokescreen & media portrayal of the coalescent global political resistance dissident movement.
  The author uses his own first-hand experiences and witnessing movements on the inside - in such seminal areas as Chiapas and the Zapatistas, the infamous G8 protests in Genoa which ended in the death of Carlo Giuliani, Soweto township... - to actively put across his viewpoint there might be many different problems and acts of injustice, one answer (a resistant NO!) and many yeses (multiple different solutions).
  
  At times it does feel like a thinly-veiled soapbox sermon without the adrenalizing effect of the likes of John Pilger or Noam Chomsky, at other times it comes across as more of an incidental travelogue sprinkled with a dollop of politics on top. Combined, those factors mean that it doesn't quite feel like your usual political book nor have the same inspirational motivating effect I've felt elsewhere.
  
  There's also some rather glaring omissions on the topics covered. For example, the book is about a global network of active resistance to state oppression and persecution yet there is no mention whatsoever of the burgeoning international BDS (Boycott, Diversity, Sanctions) movement which promotes boycotting Israel for it's barbaric treatment of Palestinians; a movement which is vividly active in Europe, South Africa and beyond yet isn't deemed worthy of mention in Kingsnorth's book. Whether it's omission is down to the big villain of the piece being a contentious state and not 'The global capitalist machine' or down to the author's own undisclosed personal political inclinations is not clear.
  
  Overall, you could summarise this book as saying it's almost like Mark Thomas without the jokes and satire. A good start but far from authoritative. It's probably more deserving of a 3 out of 5 generally but I based my score on the fact I'd file it far more under 'it was ok' than I'd be confident to say 'I liked it'.
• 
  J.

  Paul Kingsnorth has been heralded as a prophetic voice akin to the agrarian writer Wendell Berry. Neither writer fits in a box. Both are cultural critics, both are writing with a rootedness in the earth, both are crying out to an industrial society that has lost it's moorings. In this book, I believe one of his first, Kingsnorth documents his journalistic exploration of (and personal involvement in) the anti-globalization movement. This is an older book but a great place to start in understanding Kingsnorth's journey as a writer. Also, if you have no idea how transnational corporations are running rampant over large swaths of the planet, and making life a living hell for communities and tribal peoples, this book would be a good introduction into issues that will disturb and challenge you. To be blind to these injustices and oppressive economic powers is to continue in a deadly kind of ignorance. Paul Kingsnorth is one of the most important voices today, in our time of ecological, political, and economic upheaval.
• 
  Lisa

  Once again a very informative (though confronting) book by Kingsnorth. Not only does he explore some of the wonderful things happening locally to fight back against corporate growth and dominance, he also offers solutions. I think, though, I should have read this book before I read his later Confessions. I think between the two books he became rather disillusioned about whether or not the poorer, less powerful types CAN actually change things and has opted, instead, to live a quiet, rather secluded life learning about gardening and scything. Sigh. Lots of chew on....
• 
  Solistas

  Τίμιων προθέσεων αλλά μέχρι εκεί
• 
  Gavin

  1. Who's in charge?
  
  2. Why?
• 
  Marie

  I loved this book. If you want an introduction into the various counterculture movememnts taking place around the world...this is the book to pick up. He travels to various resistance groups around the world discussing with people why and how they resist the mainstream culture and/or exploitation. If anything the book was too short.
• 
  Sally McRogerson

  Brings together lots of examples of global resistance, many very small but all significant. It's inspirational. One person can't change the whole situation but lots of people can make many small changes and they add up! Let's start making some now!
  
• 
  Naomi

  Great book. It gives an amazing over view of the globalisation that is happening around us. It also takes a look at how people are fighting back.
• 
  Peggii

  Book I read for work
• 
  James Taylor

  A very insightful read.
• 
  Kamil

  I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
  
  http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12425158