What do you think?
Rate this book
Greenpeace Captain: My Adventures in Protecting the Future of Our Planet
PETER WILLCOX has been a Captain for Greenpeace for over 30 years. He would never call himself a hero, but he is recognized on every ocean and continent for devoting his entire life to saving the planet. He has led the most compelling and dangerous Greenpeace actions to bring international attention to the destruction of our environment. From the globally televised imprisonment of his crew, the "Arctic 30," by Russian Commandos to international conspiracies involving diamond smuggling, gun-trading and Al-Qaeda, Willcox has braved the unimaginable and triumphed.
This is his story--which begins when he was a young man sailing with Pete Seeger and continues right up to his becoming the iconic environmentalist he is today. His daring adventures and courageous determination will inspire readers everywhere.
This is his story--which begins when he was a young man sailing with Pete Seeger and continues right up to his becoming the iconic environmentalist he is today. His daring adventures and courageous determination will inspire readers everywhere.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published April 19, 2016
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
June 27, 2017
In September 2013, Captain Peter Willcox and the crew of the Greenpeace vessel, the Arctic Sunrise, took part in an action against Gazprom's Prirazlomnaya drilling platform. During this action, all 30 crew members were arrested and imprisoned by the Russian government. They became known as the Arctic 30. This book is that story, but it's also the more substantial one of Willcox's career with Greenpeace, seen from his earliest days in the organisation, on to the notorious bombing of the Rainbow Warrior in 1985 by French agents, and through the many memorable actions he's been a part of over the course of that career and up to the present.
I picked up Willcox's memoir on the advice of a friend; I'd been looking for perspectives from individuals engaged in activist organisations. If nothing else, I just hoped to immerse myself in one such organisation and get a feel for the lives its people lead and their motivations and outlooks. I got a little and then a lot more. Willcox is a good and unpretentious storyteller, humorous and dry at times, attentive to the moments that pulled him up and pushed him on; and one gets the sense that he understates (beautifully) the life he's led and without trying. But he also does what he's clearly trying to do; he makes impressive and important the environmentalist message he enacts. And he does this by an appreciation of life and nature, and by imbuing everything with the willing and adventurous spirit that for Willcox belongs to the activist.
I picked up Willcox's memoir on the advice of a friend; I'd been looking for perspectives from individuals engaged in activist organisations. If nothing else, I just hoped to immerse myself in one such organisation and get a feel for the lives its people lead and their motivations and outlooks. I got a little and then a lot more. Willcox is a good and unpretentious storyteller, humorous and dry at times, attentive to the moments that pulled him up and pushed him on; and one gets the sense that he understates (beautifully) the life he's led and without trying. But he also does what he's clearly trying to do; he makes impressive and important the environmentalist message he enacts. And he does this by an appreciation of life and nature, and by imbuing everything with the willing and adventurous spirit that for Willcox belongs to the activist.
June 28, 2016
I find that autobiographies tend to be very hit-or-miss. The best are insightful narratives with useful insider observations. The worst are tiring egotistical indulgences. Regrettably “Greenpeace Captain” is too much of the latter. Wilcox is too patronizing
He does have some interesting stories to tell, and his insider perspective is useful for anyone wishing to understand this corner of the environmentalist movement, but by and large I found myself frustrated to the degree to which his ego kept creeping into the narrative. This is not to say that Wilcox is not an outstanding individual, but rather such writing gets very tiring very fast.
This happens right off the bat. Wilcox tells the story of how his ship was sabotaged and in the attack someone died. The stakes are high. What a great introduction to the perils he faces. But what I remember most is his magical sea powers, instantly finding his bearings in the darkness despite the fact that he was inexplicably naked. This tone is present throughout the book and taken on almost messianic proportions at times.
Quite frankly, even though I am an environmentalist myself, I found this a rather wretched read. I can admire Wilcox’s dedication but this book is too over the top. Every few pages I was treated to what amounted to a “you’re not as dedicated as me” speech. This is how Wilcox treats his supporters. I am not going to accept such treatment. The episodes themselves were informative, but the tone was poor. There are better biographies, and certainly better environmentalist books out there. If this issue area interests you, read something else.
He does have some interesting stories to tell, and his insider perspective is useful for anyone wishing to understand this corner of the environmentalist movement, but by and large I found myself frustrated to the degree to which his ego kept creeping into the narrative. This is not to say that Wilcox is not an outstanding individual, but rather such writing gets very tiring very fast.
This happens right off the bat. Wilcox tells the story of how his ship was sabotaged and in the attack someone died. The stakes are high. What a great introduction to the perils he faces. But what I remember most is his magical sea powers, instantly finding his bearings in the darkness despite the fact that he was inexplicably naked. This tone is present throughout the book and taken on almost messianic proportions at times.
Quite frankly, even though I am an environmentalist myself, I found this a rather wretched read. I can admire Wilcox’s dedication but this book is too over the top. Every few pages I was treated to what amounted to a “you’re not as dedicated as me” speech. This is how Wilcox treats his supporters. I am not going to accept such treatment. The episodes themselves were informative, but the tone was poor. There are better biographies, and certainly better environmentalist books out there. If this issue area interests you, read something else.
April 30, 2019
Peter Willcox was brought up in a family where "civil rights was a very big deal." "Greenpeace Captain" is his compelling memoir of life as a senior captain for Greenpeace International for more than 40 years.
It begins with the sinking of "The Rainbow Warrior" on July 10, 1985 at Marsden Wharf, Auckland, New Zealand, before outlining the subsequent investigations which led to the charging of two French intelligence agents for arson, conspiracy to commit arson, wilful damage, and murder.
There are many inspiring stories throughout the book, including a humanitarian mission to evacuate Rongelap in the Marshall Islands of the Pacific Ocean.
On 1 March 1954, the islanders witnessed the most powerful thermonuclear weapons test the United States has ever conducted on Bikini Island. "White flakes began to fall on Rongelap, coating the entire atoll and the waters around it with more than an inch of "snow"."
In 1987, the author was assigned to the ship M/V Sirius, and members of his crew boarded Vulcanus 11 which had been incinerating toxic waste in the North Sea. The emissions included deadly dioxin. Thankfully, the actions of Greenpeace and others led to a ban of all incineration of toxic waste in the North Sea.
Highly recommended.
It begins with the sinking of "The Rainbow Warrior" on July 10, 1985 at Marsden Wharf, Auckland, New Zealand, before outlining the subsequent investigations which led to the charging of two French intelligence agents for arson, conspiracy to commit arson, wilful damage, and murder.
There are many inspiring stories throughout the book, including a humanitarian mission to evacuate Rongelap in the Marshall Islands of the Pacific Ocean.
On 1 March 1954, the islanders witnessed the most powerful thermonuclear weapons test the United States has ever conducted on Bikini Island. "White flakes began to fall on Rongelap, coating the entire atoll and the waters around it with more than an inch of "snow"."
In 1987, the author was assigned to the ship M/V Sirius, and members of his crew boarded Vulcanus 11 which had been incinerating toxic waste in the North Sea. The emissions included deadly dioxin. Thankfully, the actions of Greenpeace and others led to a ban of all incineration of toxic waste in the North Sea.
Highly recommended.
June 14, 2021
Meh. A somewhat generous 2 stars. Not sure how this wasn't better. I sure wasn't a fan of how it was written, though. Would not recommend.
June 28, 2016
I find that autobiographies tend to be very hit-or-miss. The best are insightful narratives with useful insider observations. The worst are tiring egotistical indulgences. Regrettably “Greenpeace Captain” is too much of the latter. Wilcox is too patronizing
He does have some interesting stories to tell, and his insider perspective is useful for anyone wishing to understand this corner of the environmentalist movement, but by and large I found myself frustrated to the degree to which his ego kept creeping into the narrative. This is not to say that Wilcox is not an outstanding individual, but rather such writing gets very tiring very fast.
This happens right off the bat. Wilcox tells the story of how his ship was sabotaged and in the attack someone died. The stakes are high. What a great introduction to the perils he faces. But what I remember most is his magical sea powers, instantly finding his bearings in the darkness despite the fact that he was inexplicably naked. This tone is present throughout the book and taken on almost messianic proportions at times.
Quite frankly, even though I am an environmentalist myself, I found this a rather wretched read. I can admire Wilcox’s dedication but this book is too over the top. Every few pages I was treated to what amounted to a “you’re not as dedicated as me” speech. This is how Wilcox treats his supporters. I am not going to accept such treatment. The episodes themselves were informative, but the tone was poor. There are better biographies, and certainly better environmentalist books out there. If this issue area interests you, read something else.
He does have some interesting stories to tell, and his insider perspective is useful for anyone wishing to understand this corner of the environmentalist movement, but by and large I found myself frustrated to the degree to which his ego kept creeping into the narrative. This is not to say that Wilcox is not an outstanding individual, but rather such writing gets very tiring very fast.
This happens right off the bat. Wilcox tells the story of how his ship was sabotaged and in the attack someone died. The stakes are high. What a great introduction to the perils he faces. But what I remember most is his magical sea powers, instantly finding his bearings in the darkness despite the fact that he was inexplicably naked. This tone is present throughout the book and taken on almost messianic proportions at times.
Quite frankly, even though I am an environmentalist myself, I found this a rather wretched read. I can admire Wilcox’s dedication but this book is too over the top. Every few pages I was treated to what amounted to a “you’re not as dedicated as me” speech. This is how Wilcox treats his supporters. I am not going to accept such treatment. The episodes themselves were informative, but the tone was poor. There are better biographies, and certainly better environmentalist books out there. If this issue area interests you, read something else.
June 25, 2016
This book is fabulous! Inspiring, swashbuckling, fascinating, funny, and heartfelt. I kept pausing as I read to tell the people around me "Wow, they just proved the Russians were dumping nuclear waste near Japanese fishing grounds while the Russian president was in Japan asking for monetary aid and he was SUPER EMBARRASSED" or "Whoah, they're using his ship to relocate an entire village, houses and all, from an island that was contaminated by nuclear testing to a safer island" or "Haha, they just got arrested again but the local cops actually agreed with their stance against the nuclear ship in their harbor so they held a pizza party for them at the police station." I learned a lot about Greenpeace and the planet, too.
(I'm glad it's so good, because I would have read it anyway - the author is my mom's cousin.)
(I'm glad it's so good, because I would have read it anyway - the author is my mom's cousin.)
April 30, 2016
This is a great book for anyone who cares about the environment and the health of our planet. I was really shocked at some of the things Peter Wilcox did in order to bring environmental evildoings to light. The actions that Captain Wilcox and his crew undertook in order to expose environmental damage were dangerous, exhausting and humbling but important for everyone. From the dumping of nuclear waste to the killing of whales to documenting climate change, Greenpeace has been there to catch it all on camera and now through Captain Wilcox's book you can be there too. This is a really fun and engaging read, plus hopefully it will inspire others to take an active role in protecting our one and only planet.
Read
April 29, 2016Fascinating read on the adventures of fighting the good environmental fight. Exciting and inspiring.
April 18, 2019
Could not get into this book. I believe in what Greenpeace is about but this writing did not catch/hold my interest.
January 14, 2023
Citaat : Het succes van vele geslaagde Greenpeaceacties is vaak te danken aan onze RHIB’s, die we snel in kunnen zetten en ook snel weer terug kunnen halen. We hebben dikwijls een flinke voorsprong op onze doelwitten en/of autoriteiten door deze snelle opblaasboten.
Review : Greenpeace is een onafhankelijke campagneorganisatie die geweldloze, creatieve confrontatie gebruikt om wereldwijde milieuproblemen aan te klagen, en te ijveren voor oplossingen die een groene en vreedzame toekomst mogelijk maken. Greenpeace wil er dan ook over waken dat de capaciteit van onze planeet om het leven in al zijn diversiteit in stand te houden, niet overschreden wordt. Eigenlijk lag het manuscript van Peter Willcox, een terugblik op meer dan dertig jaar activisme, al klaar in 2012. Maar vreemd genoeg zag de uitgever er geen brood in. Toen hij in september 2013 met de voltallige bemanning van de Arctic Sunrise in een Russische gevangenis belandde , na een actie tegen olieboringen in de Barentszzee, heeft dat veel stof doen opwaaien: de campagne voor de vrijlating van de zogeheten Arctic 30 was zelfs wereldnieuws.
Daarna kon het boek niet snel genoeg verschijnen. In 1981 begon Peter Willcox als dekknecht bij Greenpeace. Hij was zoon van linkse zeilliefhebbers die tegen oorlog en kernwapens waren en hij woonde als twaalfjarige een toespraak van Martin Luther King bij. Greenpeace strijdt door burgerlijke ongehoorzaamheid en geweldloze actie voor het milieu. Zoals acties tegen kernproeven, waarbij de Franse geheime dienst in 1985 'zijn' schip de Rainbow Warrior tot zinken bracht. Na de actie tegen olieboringen in het Noordpoolgebied zaten hij en 29 andere bemanningsleden in 2013 zo'n twee maanden in een Russische cel. Voor hem het bewijs op de goede weg te zijn.
Er waren ook acties tegen gifverbranding en -lozing op land en zee, tegen steenkolen, bloedhout, en expedities voor het regenwoud en anti-slavernij. Greenpeace evacueerde ook mensen en huisraad na jarenlange blootstelling aan straling a.g.v. kernproeven in de Grote Oceaan en hielp bij onderzoek op de Noordpool. In dit boeiende boek vind je heel wat verhalen over het gevaar van het werk van Greenpeace en de niet aflatende strijd van Peter Willcox en zijn mensen.
Het boek geeft ook inzicht over de misstanden en overtredingen van de milieuwetten waar grote bedrijven gewoon lak aan hebben. Daarom is het goed dat dit aan de orde wordt gesteld. Per actiegebied is er een overzichtskaart. Niet belerend of saai maar wel een boeiend en bevlogen avonturenboek met persoonlijke verhalen en vele foto's met uitgebreid bijschrift.
Review : Greenpeace is een onafhankelijke campagneorganisatie die geweldloze, creatieve confrontatie gebruikt om wereldwijde milieuproblemen aan te klagen, en te ijveren voor oplossingen die een groene en vreedzame toekomst mogelijk maken. Greenpeace wil er dan ook over waken dat de capaciteit van onze planeet om het leven in al zijn diversiteit in stand te houden, niet overschreden wordt. Eigenlijk lag het manuscript van Peter Willcox, een terugblik op meer dan dertig jaar activisme, al klaar in 2012. Maar vreemd genoeg zag de uitgever er geen brood in. Toen hij in september 2013 met de voltallige bemanning van de Arctic Sunrise in een Russische gevangenis belandde , na een actie tegen olieboringen in de Barentszzee, heeft dat veel stof doen opwaaien: de campagne voor de vrijlating van de zogeheten Arctic 30 was zelfs wereldnieuws.
Daarna kon het boek niet snel genoeg verschijnen. In 1981 begon Peter Willcox als dekknecht bij Greenpeace. Hij was zoon van linkse zeilliefhebbers die tegen oorlog en kernwapens waren en hij woonde als twaalfjarige een toespraak van Martin Luther King bij. Greenpeace strijdt door burgerlijke ongehoorzaamheid en geweldloze actie voor het milieu. Zoals acties tegen kernproeven, waarbij de Franse geheime dienst in 1985 'zijn' schip de Rainbow Warrior tot zinken bracht. Na de actie tegen olieboringen in het Noordpoolgebied zaten hij en 29 andere bemanningsleden in 2013 zo'n twee maanden in een Russische cel. Voor hem het bewijs op de goede weg te zijn.
Er waren ook acties tegen gifverbranding en -lozing op land en zee, tegen steenkolen, bloedhout, en expedities voor het regenwoud en anti-slavernij. Greenpeace evacueerde ook mensen en huisraad na jarenlange blootstelling aan straling a.g.v. kernproeven in de Grote Oceaan en hielp bij onderzoek op de Noordpool. In dit boeiende boek vind je heel wat verhalen over het gevaar van het werk van Greenpeace en de niet aflatende strijd van Peter Willcox en zijn mensen.
Het boek geeft ook inzicht over de misstanden en overtredingen van de milieuwetten waar grote bedrijven gewoon lak aan hebben. Daarom is het goed dat dit aan de orde wordt gesteld. Per actiegebied is er een overzichtskaart. Niet belerend of saai maar wel een boeiend en bevlogen avonturenboek met persoonlijke verhalen en vele foto's met uitgebreid bijschrift.
October 23, 2021
It's an important story to tell with a message we all need to get. One of the problems here is setting up the celebrity/captain as doing it for us so we can ooh and ah and admire from a distance but not do the work ourselves. Willcox and his crew have actually behaved with exceptional courage and I can't blame him featuring that but it can be a problem in terms of making broader social change.
That said this book was written pretty well. I am not sure who Ronald B. Weiss is, but presumably someone who can write and stopped this turning into a terrible celebrity memoir. Willcox's story is mainly well structured, in the first few chapters he has a good pace and although he adds a lot of asides, these are interesting details to get to know him.
Some of the macho humour I could have done without and as the book progressed there seemed to be more and more of that (perhaps Willcox got very comfortable with the reader). There's also more repetition and dragging toward the end. In the best parts Willcox trusts the integrity of the story and adds minimal embellishment, I forgive him in the parts he gets on his soapbox because it's a damn good soapbox (yes we do need to save the planet and yes it is criminally dangerous to ignore that). Much of his insights into activist vs organiser cultures and what sorts of actions work is stuff more activists should read. I mostly agreed with him but even if I didn't his considerable experience should surely be taken into account. There are a few pictures added for interest (the banner sails were stunning). I was not a fan of the Sea Shepherd bashing (albeit relatively mild) early on in the book.
Overall it entertains, informs and sometimes irritates but it is worth a read.
That said this book was written pretty well. I am not sure who Ronald B. Weiss is, but presumably someone who can write and stopped this turning into a terrible celebrity memoir. Willcox's story is mainly well structured, in the first few chapters he has a good pace and although he adds a lot of asides, these are interesting details to get to know him.
Some of the macho humour I could have done without and as the book progressed there seemed to be more and more of that (perhaps Willcox got very comfortable with the reader). There's also more repetition and dragging toward the end. In the best parts Willcox trusts the integrity of the story and adds minimal embellishment, I forgive him in the parts he gets on his soapbox because it's a damn good soapbox (yes we do need to save the planet and yes it is criminally dangerous to ignore that). Much of his insights into activist vs organiser cultures and what sorts of actions work is stuff more activists should read. I mostly agreed with him but even if I didn't his considerable experience should surely be taken into account. There are a few pictures added for interest (the banner sails were stunning). I was not a fan of the Sea Shepherd bashing (albeit relatively mild) early on in the book.
Overall it entertains, informs and sometimes irritates but it is worth a read.
March 4, 2018
Very interesting book, and highly inspirational. Willcox details a few of the probably thousands of actions he's led on behalf of Greenpeace. We get a good view of how the organisation works, and how difficult it must be to be in charge of a complex action. There are examples from many countries: 'bad' countries as well as 'good' countries and it gives a well balanced picture of the fact that all countries are responsible for the environmental threats to our world.
Another reviewer wrote that s/he felt preached to every few pages: I did not get that feeling at all. On the contrary, I felt encouraged to take action, in a good way. I'll try to remember the passages where readers are encouraged to do 'something' to make the world a better place to be - and will try to dwell less often on the horrible news I'm fed daily from all corners of the world.
I am extremely grateful that there are people like Willcox in the world, and I hope his book provides inspiration for a lot of people to 'do something'. He's certainly inspired me.
Another reviewer wrote that s/he felt preached to every few pages: I did not get that feeling at all. On the contrary, I felt encouraged to take action, in a good way. I'll try to remember the passages where readers are encouraged to do 'something' to make the world a better place to be - and will try to dwell less often on the horrible news I'm fed daily from all corners of the world.
I am extremely grateful that there are people like Willcox in the world, and I hope his book provides inspiration for a lot of people to 'do something'. He's certainly inspired me.
March 22, 2021
This is a collection of stories from a sailor/mariner and environmental activist. Each chapter (and a set of multiple chapters at the end) feels like a great dinner story or campfire tale and there are also great meta-stories in the added reflective commentaries. What the stories might lack in shared wisdom or educational insights is balanced by the sheer scale of adventures they describe. I definitely felt greater respect for the actions of Greenpeace after reading this, but I wish I also felt more encouraged or motivated and not simply entertained.
July 25, 2017
Inspirational. The lengths that people go to to save animals, the environment and people is remarkable. The achievements were modestly explained with some good humour.
I also broadened my understanding of what Greenpeace do and am glad to know there are so many dedicated supports.
Some parts were incredibly touching particularly the nuclear testing stories.
I would recommend this to anyone who likes animals, the environment and travel adventure stories.
I also broadened my understanding of what Greenpeace do and am glad to know there are so many dedicated supports.
Some parts were incredibly touching particularly the nuclear testing stories.
I would recommend this to anyone who likes animals, the environment and travel adventure stories.
March 9, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. I even wish it had been longer and more detailed. It was well written and interesting. I enjoyed learning more about the activities of these activists, which I had observed marginally on occasion during life. The book starts with the bombing of their ship, which caused the death of one person, and returns on and off to that, as we hear about the life of the captain/author.
January 6, 2022
This book sat on my shelf for years before I decided to finally give it a read. I have to say I really enjoyed his stories and adventures; as well as learning more about the climate change concerns that he worked so hard to prevent. He loves his work, and it really shows in his writing. This was a fast and easy read and recommend it for all!
July 20, 2018
People who risk their lives to protect the environment for all of us and for future generations. What more needs to be said? However, I will add that the book is well written, exciting, heartbreaking, and horrifying at times.
February 18, 2019
The stories behind this book rate 5 stars. Some of them I remember from news at the time, some were new to me.
The writing left much to be desired. I rate it a low 2 stars. The co-author, Ronald Weiss, is a marketing guy, and it shows. It takes a different approach to write a good book.
The writing left much to be desired. I rate it a low 2 stars. The co-author, Ronald Weiss, is a marketing guy, and it shows. It takes a different approach to write a good book.
January 23, 2019
Life altering. I'm a Greenpeace Canvasser and this meant the world to me.
June 5, 2018
I really enjoyed the book. Will put it on the shelf next to "The World Without Us". Easy to read, full of incredible twists.
March 12, 2017
This book is about the author and his time spent on the Rainbow Warrior, one of the Greenpeasce's ships. How he and his group of people peacefully set out to tell the world and the countries who were and still are destroying what we have left--from the artic ocean to New Zealand (the original Rainbow Warrior was blown up in New Zealand, killing one crew member).
For those that want to save the environment and also learn more about Greenpeace, this is a must read (I also read Ocean Warrior--the other side--Sea Shepherd and how they handled the same issues--two very different organizations).
For those that want to save the environment and also learn more about Greenpeace, this is a must read (I also read Ocean Warrior--the other side--Sea Shepherd and how they handled the same issues--two very different organizations).
June 6, 2016
Peter Willcox has been with Greenpeace for 40 years - beginning when they where a little known organisation and spending most of his life sailing the world trying to raise awareness of environmental and humanitarian issues. This is a story told with ease and humour and makes for very pleasant and educating reading.
As a child of the 80's my early impression of Greenpeace was 'those crazy people who chain themselves to things' - which they certainly do a lot of; As an adult I can admire the non-violent protest mantra in order to raise public awareness of major issues.
The story opens with the 1985 bombing of the Rainbow Warrior in New Zealand by the French Government - an action that killed one member of the crew and brought world wide attention to the lengths governments are willing to go to shut the organisation down (Greenpeace was protesting France's nuclear testing at the time). Willcox then goes back to his childhood and the influences that have lead him to dedicate his working life to environmental issues.
The challenges of (and solutions for) getting information and images from isolated sites in the days before the easy communications we take for granted; and dealing with sometimes hostile, armed police and military personnel when you don't speak the same language, certainly make interesting reading.
I was not aware of the more humanitarian actions Greenpeace takes part in; like moving an entire community of islanders from their radiation affected (thanks to testing by the USA) island to another island away from the radiation because the US government refused to help.
If you have even a passing interest in the environment and why people put themselves in danger to show the rest of us what is happening to it this is a MUST read.
I suggest also reading Tom Doig's The Coal Face and Naomi Klein's This Changes Everything to get some close to home and other world wide perspectives on environmental issues.
As a child of the 80's my early impression of Greenpeace was 'those crazy people who chain themselves to things' - which they certainly do a lot of; As an adult I can admire the non-violent protest mantra in order to raise public awareness of major issues.
The story opens with the 1985 bombing of the Rainbow Warrior in New Zealand by the French Government - an action that killed one member of the crew and brought world wide attention to the lengths governments are willing to go to shut the organisation down (Greenpeace was protesting France's nuclear testing at the time). Willcox then goes back to his childhood and the influences that have lead him to dedicate his working life to environmental issues.
The challenges of (and solutions for) getting information and images from isolated sites in the days before the easy communications we take for granted; and dealing with sometimes hostile, armed police and military personnel when you don't speak the same language, certainly make interesting reading.
I was not aware of the more humanitarian actions Greenpeace takes part in; like moving an entire community of islanders from their radiation affected (thanks to testing by the USA) island to another island away from the radiation because the US government refused to help.
If you have even a passing interest in the environment and why people put themselves in danger to show the rest of us what is happening to it this is a MUST read.
I suggest also reading Tom Doig's The Coal Face and Naomi Klein's This Changes Everything to get some close to home and other world wide perspectives on environmental issues.
February 11, 2017
Peter Willcox vertelt verhalen over wat hij meemaakte tijdens de vele acties waaraan hij als kapitein van Greenpeace heeft meegedaan. Het boek leest alsof je naast hem in de stuurhut zit en hij alle tijd heeft om op zijn praatstoel te gaan zitten. Meer op een ‘ouwe jongens krentenbrood’ manier, dan dat alle literaire registers worden opengetrokken. Door zijn rijke ervaringen blijft het boeiend en krijg je een goed beeld over wat Greenpeace doet en waar het voor staat. Zeker de moeite waard. En respect voor iedereen die zich op deze manier inzet voor het terugwinnen van een schone en duurzame aarde.
October 26, 2018
YES!! Who needs theatrical fiction, when guys like this are telling tales! Having watched a childhood friend drown, I've never learned to swim, so this is the type of book I live vicariously through. While I adored Ballards writings on finding the Titanic, Peters' tales are less mournful, more passionate to me. Incredibly evocative and as rolling as the water underneath his boat, this is such a FUN read! I haven't read ANY story that so keeps me in my chair, unable to tear myself away; as it's heavily illustrated with luscious, glossy images, the texturizing of the telling is multfaceted and well worth whatever any seller wants you to pay.
May 1, 2016
An interesting read. Peter Willcox does an excellent job of conveying the dedication and commitment that keeps him going to work each day as a captain for Greenpeace.
His description of the 'actions' over the years and his appreciation of the individuals on the crews with whom he has worked provides a unique, behind-the-scenes look at what goes into Greenpeace campaigns. In an environmental organization where activists are rarely recognized by face or name, Peter offers us a rare, very real (and humble) vantage point.
His description of the 'actions' over the years and his appreciation of the individuals on the crews with whom he has worked provides a unique, behind-the-scenes look at what goes into Greenpeace campaigns. In an environmental organization where activists are rarely recognized by face or name, Peter offers us a rare, very real (and humble) vantage point.
July 14, 2017
This compelling story portrays Captain Peter Willcox and his Greenpeace colleagues' commitment to protecting our environment and our future, all wrapped up in numerous adrenalin pumping adventures. A great reminder of what's wrong, what's right, who's doing what about it, and what we all can and should do for our world. An excellent, engaging, and inspiring book!
August 5, 2016
Reads like a good adventure suspense novel, but also very educational. Wilcox presents himself rather humbly but his passion and dedication show through. He is thorough in his explanations of the various Greenpeace actions and exposes the governmental, political and corporate greed that is causing so much damage to the environment and the people dependent on the earth's bounty.
May 21, 2016
Exciting fast-paced read full of adventure. Even though I have known Peter for over 40 years I was amazed by the stories of courage and daring that I was unaware of. He has dedicated his life to ensuring that his daughters and future generations have a habitable planet to live on.
September 16, 2016
A strong three stars for "Greenpeace Captain." Through his narrative, Willcox takes readers to Greenpeace actions around the world for a look into their work and the environment they dedicated their actions too.
My copy was a gift through Goodreads First Reads.
My copy was a gift through Goodreads First Reads.
October 2, 2016
A freebie I got from Greenpeace. Turned to read it more out of desperation than interest. It was
very good, engagingly written, full of seaworthy anecdotes and efforts for a good cause. Pictures.
Takes you around the world on Greenpeace actions. Full of idealism and humanity.
very good, engagingly written, full of seaworthy anecdotes and efforts for a good cause. Pictures.
Takes you around the world on Greenpeace actions. Full of idealism and humanity.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews