Book : How to Blow Up a Pipeline by Andreas Malm

Synopsis : In this text, Malm makes an impassioned call for the climate movement to escalate its tactics in the face of ecological collapse. We need, he argues, to force fossil fuel extraction to stop—with our actions, with our bodies, and by defusing and destroying its tools. We need, in short, to start blowing up some oil pipelines. Offering a counter-history of how mass popular change has occurred, from the democratic revolutions overthrowing dictators to the movement against apartheid and for women’s suffrage, Malm argues that the strategic acceptance of property destruction and violence has been the only route for revolutionary change.

Reading Schedule :

  • Sunday 7th August – Preface and Chapter 1
  • Sunday 14th August – Chapter 2
  • Sunday 21st August – Chapter 3

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Audiobook

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Supplementary Material:

Interview With the Author

The Author on Rev Left Radio

When Does the Fightback Begin? - Andreas Malm response to critics of How to Blow Up a Pipeline

  • FRIENDLY_BUTTMUNCHER [she/her]
    ·
    2 years ago

    Caught up on chapter 1 and half of chapter 2 so I'll just share the thoughts thus far.

    I enjoyed the historical context that is used in his reasoning. Maybe it's only because he is a Marxist, but the historical materialism matters, and I'm glad he is able to lay it out in a more coherent manner than just "oh well MLK asked nicely, unlike that mean bad guy Malcolm X". I think he makes a good case that a radical flank is important for any social movement to gain real ground.

    I wonder though, is that radical flank always meant to be ablative, to take the brunt of imperial forces such that the non-violent movement is able to carry the ball across the line?