This is a delightful collection of stories from Bob Brown’s 50 years at the front line of the environmental movement. Filled with his trademark passion, warmth and humour, he combats some of the common reasons that people don’t join protests or get actively involved in politics and provides inspiration to take a stand for nature.

From chapters about his first campaign saving the Franklin River, when all appeared lost, to defying bad laws, and imparting the awareness that the actions of only 3.5% of the population are all it takes to change a bad government policy, there are numerous practical and useful tips for the budding activist. 

Well-known protests, such as those against Adani and the fight to save native forests from logging, stand next to more personal anecdotes about his mother and father, lesser-known rebels including Eric Herbert and Rob Lord, as well as famous Australians such as high court judge Lionel Murphy and artist Emily Kam Kngwarray. These are stories of standing up to unbridled ego, abuses of power and the overreach of corporate capitalism, as well as a heartfelt love of the natural environment. 

Always a passionate storyteller, Brown has given us an inspiring book of anecdotes that are perfect to dip into or read in one session. His level-headed, rational arguments are very convincing and will not only be enjoyed by hardcore environmentalists, but those with general concerns about overpopulation, government overreach and environmental destruction alike. Defiance is highly accessible and filled with wonderful advice on acts of protest and optimism small and large, from an environmentalist who has been on the front lines and in our parliament for well over 50 years and has learnt a few things about how to change the world in the process. What a treasure trove! 

$5 from every sale in October will be donated to the Bob Brown Foundation.