Big Coal

Book reviews of Big Coal

Big Coal should be compulsory reading for young people, to understand why their birthright is being sold off for a mess of pottage.
-- Simon Hughes, Australian Financial Review magazine, 30 August 2013

Big Coal combines gritty realism with the moral urgency of a well-told fable.
(Non-fiction ‘pick of the week’)
-- Fiona Capp, Sydney Morning Herald, 3-4 August 2013

Big Coal is an important challenge to the pro-coal narrative. The book outlines the long sorry story of coal’s history: the pollution of the atmosphere, the devastating health impacts for miners…
-- Stuart Rosewarne, The Conversation, 31 August 2013

What Guy Pearse, David McKnight and Bob Burton show is that Big Coal are in the business of making money, lots of it, and are very good at ensuring that their methods of making this money are not threatened by minor concerns such as climate disruption.
-- Jennifer Doggett, Croakey blog, 8 August 2013

The book’s authors have done a superb job in digging up the dirt on coal. Ending the world’s addiction to this dangerous product starts here in Australia, in King Coal’s castle.
-- Phil Shannon, http://australianleftbookreview.blogspot.com.au/

Populism Now

Populism can be a dirty word. Brexit and the election of Donald Trump have certainly given it a bad name. But rather than associating it with demagoguery and exclusion, might we better see it as a backlash against free market globalisation? Might it be harnessed as a positive force able to thrive in difficult times?

This timely and persuasive book exposes the failures of globalisation: greedy banks, predatory privatisation, corporate tax avoidance and a growing underclass of temporary overseas workers. David McKnight argues that a progressive populism could address the genuine economic grievances of everyday people, without scapegoating immigrants or ethnic minorities. In fact, a progressive form of populism may be the best way of defeating the racist backlash of right-wing populism. It may also be the best way to save the planet.

Buy Populism Now
as an Amazon Kindle Edition

About Big Coal

Australia's dirtiest habit is its addiction to coal. But is our dependence on it a road to prosperity or a dead end? Are we hooked for life? And who is profiting from our addiction? Former lobbyist and political insider Guy Pearse, media and politics commentator David McKnight and environment writer Bob Burton cut through the spin to expose the underbelly of an industry whose power continues to soar while its expansion feeds catastrophic climate change.

Buy Big Coal
as an e-Book

About Rupert Murdoch's Crusading Corporation

When Rupert Murdoch called, Prime Ministers and Presidents picked up the phone. David McKnight exposes Murdoch's unflinching use of his media empire to further his political agenda over decades. This is the story behind the hacking scandal that rocked the world and shook the Murdoch empire.

Buy Rupert Murdoch: An Investigation of political power
as an e-Book

About Beyond Right and Left

Do Right and Left still mean anything in politics? Are environmental issues always 'left wing'? Is it only 'right wing' to worry about the family? In fact these traditional connections have broken down, but what is taking their place? » read more

Buy Beyond Right and Left
as an e-Book

What others think

"... David McKnight has managed to write something that is at once original, courageous, realistic and fresh."

- Robert Manne
Professor of Politics
La Trobe University,
author of Left Right Left

"Subtle, incisive, courageous; bound to be a watershed in Australian progressive politics."

- Clive Hamilton
Executive Director
The Australia Institute,
author Growth Fetish

"David McKnight gives us the tools to work out where we stand - and what unites rather than divides us - as the struggle to defend our democracy begins in earnest"

- Margo Kingston
Author of
Not Happy John

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Big Coal

Book reviews of Big Coal