'For the Earth to Live' by Alan Todd

 

With Trump already implementing his threat of “Drill, baby, drill!” to massively increase the burning of evermore fossil fuels, and taking the US out of the Paris Climate Agreement – and Musk and Farage supercharging the growth of far-right populism and creeping fascism – there are plenty of reasons to be pessimistic. But as Gramsci warned back in the 1920s:

“The thick dark cloud of pessimism…may in fact be the greatest danger we face at present.”

 

However,… cometh the hour, cometh the book!

Coming out next month (February), is a new book that gives realistic grounds for hoping that a better world can be won for the 99%. As Nelson Mandela said:

“It always seems impossible…until it is done.”

 

And the good news is that For the Earth to Live can be pre-ordered at the special reduced rate of £13 – a saving on the RRP of £17! – via this link:  https://resistancebooks.org/product/for-the-earth-to-live/

 

To whet your appetite (just in case the saving of £4 isn’t enough temptation!), below are some of the things that have been said about the book:

  

Extracts from the Foreword by Julia Steinberger

[Professor of Ecological Economics,

University of Lausanne (Switzerland)]

 

“The book in your hands is not like other books about

The book in your hands is not like other books about the climate or the environment. For the Earth to Live: The Case for Ecosocialism is a wholly original creation, from a wholly original author. In this Foreword, I will try to explain why I think this book is so important, and I will try to do so quickly, so you can get to the book itself as quickly as possible (which you could do immediately by turning a couple of pages!).

This book, much like its scholar-activist author Allan Todd,

stands out by doing several revolutionary things at once.

 

First, this book is unapologetic.

This book is quite simply about, and for, ecosocialism. In a time when people are often afraid to express themselves directly, this book openly and proudly proclaims its analysis and position, making the case for a political direction that is unapologetically, uncompromisingly for ecology AND for socialism, for people and for the living Earth. Reading For the Earth to Life is a bracing change from the vacuous distractions, stuffy compromising and

timid understatements that characterize so much of our media, political, and, yes, even scientific landscapes. Quoting the Italian communist Antonio Gramsci from start to finish, it seeks to combine ‘Pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will.’ As such, it’s a continuous wake-up call (Gramsci’s pessimism of the intellect) and a call to action (his optimism of the will).”

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 "Extinction Rebellion somewhat succeeded in its goal to break the wall of climate denial which was hampering necessary progress. Critics have rightly argued though, that to move forwards, we need a shared ‘overstanding' of the colonialist, capitalist, political economy that has the destruction of people and planet as its core operating system, as well as a visionary alternative to cohere around. In this compelling, thoughtfully explained book, Allan Todd offers us both, with a radical and feasible proposal for our Ecosocialist future. Let's dream and build together, For the Earth to Live!”

 Dr. Gail Bradbrook

Co-Founder Extinction Rebellion

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 “Allan Todd isn’t just a writer, he’s a climate activist with an impressive record; and this book is the culmination of years of political struggle. Rich in arguments and ideas, For The Earth To Live is an essential handbook for those who want to take action for a better world, for both people and planet.”

 Simon Hannah, author of A Party with Socialists in it & Reclaiming the Future.

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 And there’s more: if you’re in Cumbria on Sunday 16 March, you can attend a talk about the book: https://www.wordsbythewaterkeswick.com/

It’s part this year’s Words By The Water, an annual literary festival, held in Keswick, which draws people from around the country: https://www.wordsbythewaterkeswick.com/

Also speaking at this year’s festival are George Monbiot (on neoliberalism) and Mike Berners-Lee (on the climate crisis).

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 Allan Todd is a member of ACR’s Council, of Left Unity’s National Council, and of Transform; and is an ecosocialist/ environmental and anti-fascist activist. He is the author of Revolutions 1789-1917, Trotsky: The Passionate Revolutionary, and Che Guevara: The Romantic Revolutionary