Defiance: Stories from Nature and Its Defenders

by Bob Brown

Stories of courage and conviction from the environmental frontline.

For half a century, Bob Brown has been standing up to the powerful interests who would put profit before planet.

In Defiance, he draws on this experience to inspire a new generation of individual and collective action. He reflects on the people and places that have shaped him, celebrates the irreplaceable beauty and value of nature and shares what motivates him to keep fighting. He considers the challenges facing nature's defenders – hostile corporate lobbyists, vilification in the press, the powerful pull of consumerism – and shows how courage, persistence and community can defeat them all.

Told with Brown's trademark warmth and humour, these stories will galvanise, uplift and inspire.

With a foreword by Geraldine Brooks.

'Our unifying purpose ought to be safeguarding life on earth, honouring happiness and securing humanity for its future in the universe. This simple and obvious pursuit, far ahead of money, offers us meaning to life on our brilliant little planet.' —Bob Brown

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Australia, Politics, Environment, Tasmania

320 pages, Paperback

Published September 30, 2025

About the author

This is the general disambiguation profile for authors called Bob Brown.

Reviews

[Sienna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect read en route to Tassie. Bob Brown is a hero/ angel 🌳🫶🏼

[Daniella · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

I would say this is more a collection of essays than a memoir, hence why I am rating. Some worked more for me than others but I liked the overall message of needing to continue to drive environmental activism based on hope, rather than letting yourself sink into despair because of fights that seem too big or difficult.

It brings many examples of successful campaigns for environmental protections, where at the time activists were breaking laws meant to silence them but now looking back they were on the right side of history. It also acknowledges how environmental activism can feel less important given current concerns about war and economic instability, but also how climate change will contribute to worsening these crises. While as former Greens leader there are some more political chapters, demonstrating how both major parties continue to make deals with companies destroying Australia's environment, I liked that the overall tone was more focused on appreciating and conserving nature.

I think a lot of people will get something out of this, either for the nature writing or activism elements, and I think as a collection it does make you think about where you stand. It also shows how even small actions, when made collectively, can make a big difference even though it may seem pointless which I think is a good message to have. We focus a lot on needing to be perfect, when we just need to be looking forward.

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some poignant messages can be taken from this book, best read slowly to fully absorb the information. Its not written in a linear fashion, it does jump around and it leaves details out of the stories that I found most interesting. But there are some important parts of environmental history to learn Bob who has spent his life in defence of the natural world, and some reflective statements on what it means to stand up and defend what you think is important.

[Caity Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a joy to be here at the same time as Bob Brown.
He reminds us that despite the dumpster-fire state of the current world, all hope is not lost and we can save nature, nay, we must.
He provides practical advice and emotion wrenching stories, which are so easy to read. He has instilled in me a motivation, a sense of hope and a reignited love of the planet which we share.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bob Brown has been an environment protector since getting involved in the long battle to save the Franklin River, the last wild river in Tasmania. He was in the midst of a hunger strike in Oct 1976 over the visit to Hobart harbour of the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, with its 8 nuclear reactors and 100 or more nuclear weapons. It was allowed into Hobart's harbour, despite it being banned from the harbours of New York City and Boston, due to it's 'economic' benefit to local business, although it also benefited "Party girls" flying in from the major cities of the east coast. A conversation with a friend got him involved in the Franklin campaign which led to him helping to form a nascent political party that evolved into the Green party. After WWII, there was a surge of support in the populace for a world government, "in fact, Republican presidential candidate Wendell Wilkie sold 2 million books with just that title during the war." I was stunned when I read that as I'd never heard it before despite having been a political junkie in the USA in the 70's and 80's. "Now corporate PR machines and the right-wing media use greenophobia to divert attention from Earth's disintegrating biosphere." Corporate funded think tanks are writing laws that various Australian states and territories have passed word for word putting heavy restrictions on protestors against environmental destruction and other crimes against nature with penalties greater than those convicted of serious crimes against a person. It has come to a point where climate scientists, who just want the facts to be taken seriously, have done what they usually refrain - protesting. 400 scientists signed an open letter in 2021 warning against criminalizing environmental protest. And in 2022, 4 climate scientists from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory chained themselves to a major bank, despite the very possibility that they could be fired from their jobs due to federal law prohibited government employees from engaging actively in 'political' activities. Bob outlines the hundreds of known murders of forest protectors around the world and praises those courageous enough to face this very real danger. In Australia, in some states, the punishment can be mulitples of 10 years behind bars. This despite Australia signing a commitment in 2021 to end deforestation by 2030. Other aspects of 'greenwashing' is allowing big corporations to pay an extinction penalty that is minuscule to the huge profits obtained from causing these extinctions. Bob also points out the Trump is not an exception, but rather one of many who have huge egos being pushed and financed by a handful of billionaires to do their bidding. His attraction to a large slice of the electorate ratifies "the selfish urges of the nation's collective conscience. Carl Jung would have called this a psychic epidemic." He also points out the desire to protect the natural environment is not new and points to authors and artists such as William Blake, who wrote in 1799: "To the Eyes of a Miser a guinea is more beautiful than the Sun, & a bag worn with the use of Money has more beautiful proportions than a Vine filled with Grapes. The tree which moves some to tears of joy i in the Eyes of others only a Green thing that stands in the way." While a lot of the book outlines the problems and destruction going on, it is not all doom and gloom. Rather the second half of the book is a call to arms and points to a lot of positives, including how a large swath of young people are getting involved, from the Youth Climate Strikers, to others taking decisive steps away from consumerism and more. He ends with a declaration that there needs to be a worldwide holiday to celebrate the wonders of nature. There was a brief interlude of it being Earth Day, the first of which was 22 April 1970. However that day and its ethos was quickly co-opted by big corporations with Green washing. He instead has put out a guideline:
WHAT: A celebration of Earth
WHERE: Anywhere. An open-air space, hall or sitting room would do.
WHEN: Any time, but routinely, at a set hour, would help everyone remember
WHY: To bond us to the living planet that nurtured us and to each other, so as to foster our common future.
This was an inspiring read and my hope is I can take more of it to heart.

[Nadia Chau · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspiring series of stories about environmental activists doing what I wish I was brave and motivated enough to do. The stories could have more overall structure and cohesion but the content and messaging of the book stuck with me enough that the inconsistency of the writing could be overlooked. It is horrifying to think so many activists were imprisoned and received sentencing disproportionate to the so-called crime of protesting and disrupting. We all know of people who do much worse and get much less. I would have appreciated more background information on each of campaigns and projects, like the Franklin Dam, Takayna, and the other trees they tried to protect from logging, rather than scattered references to projects we have to assume were 'bad' on all fronts. Without analysis on what the trade-off was and an alternative solution, it's hard to be fully convinced with his one-sided argument where nature seemingly comes first and foremost, that protecting a river and its ecosystem was more important than moving towards hydroelectrity. Maybe there was assumed knowledge about his previous work in the Greens party, but if he wants to set out to inspire the people who aren't currently standing up for the cause (i.e. me), I feel he needs to cover more bases and provide more information and analysis. It's one of those books where it introduces you to the topic with a bunch of stories you need to read more about yourself and fact-check to get a balanced perspective, but it was a thought-provoking read nonetheless.

[Andrew Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and rich account by one of the foremost environmental defenders, Bob Brown. The book documents a powerful legacy over the years and provides food for thought about how we relate to our planet and the world around us. A very genuine and personal account providing insights into the author as a real and caring person. I like the format of a series of accounts and short essays on various topics all with that environmental thread. A thoughtful, genuine, and thought-provoking book written by one of our living treasures. Highly recommended.

[Marcus · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightfully detailed account from the author displaying his knowledge and experience with protecting the environment. Certainly makes you think about how things are in the world today and want to do your bit towards sustainable development. Unfortunately though I find that it is somewhat unrealistic regarding where energy needs can be met.

[Casey Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

bob is a real gem. lots of great info and stories in this book, worth a read for sure. as far as books go, not the most flowing read, i ended up taking a break halfway through and coming back to it. but i’m glad to have read it :))

[Didy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bob may not be the best writer on the planet but his activism and love of nature is first rate. An important book for those wanting change and protection of the planet

[Luke Illeniram · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5, very timely

[Grace]

Had a bit of trouble adding this to my Goodreads. Maybe because it’s a new book. I hope it’s not because Goodreads is owned by jeff bezos 🚮

[lilyred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring reflections from a hero of Earth’s protection.

[Harrison O · Rating 4 out of 5]

God bless Bob Brown and his unwavering defence of our natural world. This book was frightening but essential reading.

[Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was hard. The start was dry and frustrating and just tragic. But the back half was kind of beautiful. More sentimental, more human. I'm glad to have read it.

[Darcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 81 yo Bob Brown has been around - doing and saying the right things - for my whole life. This book of homely anecdotes is a call to action for ordinary law-abiding citizens! Australians take for granted our glorious natural heritage but all available evidence makes it overwhelming obvious we need to act now to conserve it! More forest defenders are needed - urgently!

[Nic Blair · Rating 2 out of 5]

An important topic written by a voice who has been a defender of nature for decades. The book is fine, and if you are interested in reading it because you are a fan of Bob Brown, you will probably enjoy it. It doesn’t introduce anything new to the conversation, and at times becomes more of a political memoir, which isn’t really what I expected, but in hindsight should have. I agreed with a lot of Brown’s points, however his arguments at times gave impressions of confirmation bias. Also to be real, the book will mainly be picked up by Bob Brown fans who are already environmentally inclined. Does this perpetuate an echo chamber? Not sure. 2 stars, but still a fan.