Burning Rage of a Dying Planet: The FBI vs. the Earth Liberation Front

by Craig Rosebraugh, Tamsin Omond (foreword)

A harrowing, captivating firsthand history of the rise of the radical environmental movement the Earth Liberation Front (ELF). Since 1997, the ELF has inflicted over $100 million in damages on entities they believe to be causing environmental destruction, mostly through brazen arson attacks on timber companies, ski resorts, and car dealerships. Former ELF spokesperson Craig Rosebraugh charts the history and ideology of the ELF and explores its tactics, successes, and limitations. Rosebraugh examines the question of whether or not violence is justifiable, along with the short- and long-term political benefits and drawbacks of using violence. He also offers a primer on the tactics of state repression and strategies the US government uses to destroy activist movements.Whatever your view of direct action or violence, Burning Rage of a Dying Planet is an illuminating read for anyone seeking to understand radical environmental movements and the government's response to them.This revised and updated edition has a foreword by Extinction Rebellion co-founder Tamsin Omond.

274 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 5, 2024

Reviews

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting memoir of an activist who followed the capitalist market mantra of "find (create?) a need and fill it." Rosebraugh took over the role of press secretary for an autonomous cell structured environmental saboteur organization and then finds himself the focal point for the government's investigation into them. Rosebraugh does a great job showing how law enforcement uses investigations as a cudgel to suppress free speech and activism. I found the book an enjoyable read although I was left wondering what the author did with himself in the 20 years since he left his press office roll.