Oilspill dotcom

by Alon Shalev

The world is no longer defined by geographical borders, but by the actions of vast multinational corporations. Matt Fielding, a successful computer programmer, has never entertained such thoughts until his new girlfriend is suddenly arrested for libel against a huge oil conglomerate. Separated from his burgeoning romance and stunned by the David .v. Goliath odds being played out in the British legal system, Matt harnesses his talents to level the playing field. For the first time in history, the Internet is utilized for grassroots advocacy and the attention of the world is drawn to an epic court battle between a billion dollar corporation and a few individuals who refuse to be silenced. Alongside the court case, Oilspill dotcom humorously describes the transformation of a carefree yuppie, empowered first by romance and then by a genuine desire to change the world, one pixel at a time.

Nook

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Alon Shalev lives and writes in two worlds. He is the author of three social justice-themed novels and a series of Young Adult Epic Fantasy. He swears there is a connection.

In 2010, while on a family camping trip in Northern California, Shalev began writing an epic fantasy novel to read to his sons around the campfire. Over the next five years, both sons and the ancient redwood forests bore witness to the summoning of the Wycaan Masters.

His first epic fantasy novel, At The Walls Of Galbrieth, won the 2013 Eric Hoffer Book Award - YA Category and was a Grand Prize Finalist. The sequel, The First Decree, was released in March 2013, and there has been a book every year. In September 2015, From Ashes They Rose - Wycaan Master Book 5, was released and Calhei No More, the final book in the series, was released in November 2016. All books are published by Tourmaline Books.

More details of these novels and future projects can be found at the author's website (www.alonshalev.com) and he blogs at www.elfwriter.com.

Shalev's also explores using fiction as a platform for social justice. In 2012 Unwanted Heroes (pub. Three Clover Press) was released. Unwanted Heroes brings together an old, battle-scarred Chinese American war vet and an idealistic and pretentious young Englishmen, who share a love for San Francisco, coffee and wine. They soon discover they share even more when repressed memories bring them together as they find in each other unlikely allies to set themselves free from the tragic past that binds them both.

Other novels include:
A Gardener's Tale: a story of healing of family, land and community, along with a look at the Pagan religion and its time-honored impact upon rural communities.

The Accidental Activist: a fictional account of the astonishing 'McLibel' trial that captivated Britain in the 1990's, a David .v. Goliath court case that highlights the treachery and ruthlessness of the multinational corporations and how the advent of the Internet can curb them, when a few individuals refuse to back down. It is a defense of Freedom of Speech and the acknowledgment of the Internet as a tool for social change.

Reviews

[Inga · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review:

I was contacted by Premier Virtual Author Blog Tour for reviewing The Accidental Activist by Alon Shalev. I liked the blurb of the book and decided to read it. I did not have to be disappointed, even though I did not know anything about the author or his works. I rarely read court room suspense. I do like to watch movies, but many of the court room books get boring because of the missing or bad dialogue. The Accidental Activist was really good: the story was interesting, dialogue captivating, lots of good British humor and believable characters.

Regarding the plot:

The story is based on McDonalds libel case from 1990’s, so it is based on a real court case. The real case is turned into an interesting fiction about Matt who wants to help Suzie to fight against a big multinational corporation. She has been dealing out leaflets which assumedly were damaging corporation’s image and she is accused for libel. Matt uses one of the most powerful tools – Internet – to aid her.

What was especially interesting was to read about how the legal system worked in England. There were many descriptive scenes in The Accidental Activist which gave engaging picture of the court and the legal system itself. The second aspect which I was little worried about before starting to read the book, was the dialogue. It was in my opinion brilliantly managed and the humor was sophisticated. The dialogue supported the narrative in a way that it kept you reading, wanting to know what will happen next.

It was easy to read, the language which was used was colorful, professional and not too difficult for a courtroom story.

Regarding the characters:

When I finished the book, I realized that the characters were tools to creating an interesting story and supporting the narrative and the author did it really professionally. I am not saying the characters were unnecessary, but in order to bring this case alive and readable as fiction, Matt and Suzie were needed. The main character for me was the McDondald’s court case itself. And it was good and well described!

Generally:

The Accidental Activist was one of the best courtroom novel’s I have read. I thoroughly enjoyed it – the narrative, characters, the court case, the usage of Internet in the 1990s. the author bring McDonald case alive and that is the best part of the book – you feel the anger, the frustration, the injustice, the happiness. This is what I mean by saying that this book was alive!

5 stars.

[David King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review originally posted on my blog: http://killie-booktalk.blogspot.com

The Accidental Activist by Alon Shalev is a novel that has been based on the so called "McLibel" case that took place in England in the 1990's. I was looking forward to reading this as I love legal TV dramas and I was hoping that a novel could interest and entertain me just as well. On the whole I have to say that this book did manage this; of course as it is based in part on reality and is set in England there is less flamboyance during the courtroom scenes compared with what may see on the fictional TV shows. However the story was still enjoyable and overall the book is a really good courtroom drama.

The story itself follows two activists who decide to take on a multinational corporation after it tries to silence them with threats of libel. Meanwhile a computer programmer who is the narrator of the story discovers the possibilities of the internet and sets up a website to help support the case as he has become involved in a relationship with one of the activists. The book takes us through the work done via the internet and various volunteers to collect information and create a strategy, before taking the reader through the actual court case itself and the results.

I found the actual legal case and courtroom drama to be thoroughly engrossing and it held my attention very well. The story flows well and I appreciated the manner in which the author had written it with the narrator varying between telling us factual information on the case and legal system in England before then detailing the various amusing and dynamic interactions between the characters. I felt that this ensured that you actually care for the characters and will them on to win in addition to understanding some of the intricacies of the court case itself.

As with any underdog story, it was quite inspirational to read about regular people fighting a huge corporation on something they felt was right. In addition it was superb to read about and remember the rise of the internet in the 1990's. The way the characters use the internet to help level the playing field between the individuals and the corporate machine was nice to see. It could make the story seem dated because we are now so used to the internet, but as long as the reader understands when the story has been set it shouldn't really cause an issue.

An issue I did have with the book is a possibly more a personal one and it is something I have seen many times that isn't limited to this book. Basically, there were several statements throughout the book referring to British law and specifically British Libel law. There is actually no such thing as British law; there is English law and Scots law which are independent of each other. I am not a law expert so perhaps both English and Scots law may be similar in the case of libel (although I have read that Scots law doesn't even differentiate between libel and slander), however it is factually incorrect to call something British law. It doesn't really affect the story in any way; it was just a minor irritation to me.

Overall, I found this to be an interesting and enjoyable story that should appeal to anyone interested in courtroom dramas and underdog stories. The whole story ignited my interest in the actual case the story was based on and I have enjoyed doing a little reading up on that. Any story that can persuade you to find out a little more about the facts and reality is good in my opinion.

[L.E.Olteano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted at Butterfly-o-Meter Books on Nov 14 2011:

I’m all about those crime/investigation/court drama TV shows or documentaries, I love the mystery and the figuring out part, but there’s a catch to those: you know that in about 1 hour, 2 the most, you’ll have been intrigued, and have gotten the answer. With books, there’s another dimension to it, the huge buildup of tension. Well, this book had plenty of that.

Now, I will be the first to say I don’t really know details about the case it’s based on, so I didn’t have that to give me slight “spoilers” or hints as to what would happen next. So my reading experience with this novel was a mix of heaps of curiosity, intrigue, admiration, anxiety, awe and bits and pieces of laugh, because Matt has an irresistible sense of humor (of which I would have liked to see more, honestly).

The characters are very interesting, and likable, and they take on this aura of a collective of informational Robin Hoods; Matt is really fun, I loved his sense of humor as I’ve mentioned before, and his loyalty as well, his ambition and dedication. Suzie was fun, but for some reason I didn’t really like her that much; Bill was totally amusing and I appreciated his opinions and positions when it came to big time decision making.

I really loved the writing, the tone of it, the wording. Reading this I realized I had been missing this English hue to things, that kind of humor, those accents that Alon Shalev does such a good job at rendering in his writing.

The plot has good structure, thought it is something I generally tend to avoid reading because it’s more of an urban legend (at best) around here, the idea that the few, righteous and courageous, can take the many, devious and corrupted. I haven’t heard of such a case ever existing in true life, I mean in my direct environment, usually if you want to win you’ll just become one of them one way or the other, or you take a payoff and walk away filthy rich (or as I think of it, just filthy). But to each his own, right? Anyways, I tend to avoid these plots because they only fuel my general sense of frustration. But this one had a big environmental color, so to speak, so I really wanted to see where it would take me.

The court part of the novel, the bigger part of it really, was quite interesting, very exciting and thought provoking, and revealing. No, I’m not explaining that any better, you’ll just have to read it to see for yourself :p
But if I’d be to pick my favorite part of the whole book, emotionally I’d go with the beginning, when Matt had enough reasons to be super fun and charming in his slightly geeky (in a good way, I love geeks, so don’t start hating) way; Suzie brought on all kinds of trouble, fact that Matt thoroughly enjoyed as the end of the book will make plenty clear. I really did have a tense, edgy sort of fun reading it all, and though I tried to keep my hopes in check, I couldn’t help but cheer for the underdog.

All in all, it was an interesting read, a really interesting perspective on early thoughts and attitudes towards the Internet, and it made me feel good in the end. Isn’t that all that matters? :)
I say give it a try, I think you won’t regret it.

[Heavensent1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Accidental Activist is a Literary Legal/Political Fiction based on the McDonald's libel case of the 1990's.

Matthew is a computer programmer working on a program deal with an Oil conglomerate that could make or break his career. His friends and colleagues are a tight knit group and the five of them always have each others backs.

On the night that Matthew and Paul attend a party, Matthew doesn't realize how much his life is about to change. A woman approaches Matt and asks him to whisk her away from the boredom and from that day forward, their fates are intertwined.

Suzy is an activist who uses her education, tenacity and her willpower to bring light to degrading situations around the world. Her newest pet project is saving the people in the Amazon jungle from an oil company who wishes to drill there. The tribesfolk have stated they will all jump to their deaths if this is allowed.

As the two draw closer together, Suzy is arrested for handing out flyers that make the oil company look bad and she is charged with libel. Matthew rallies his friends and colleagues together to fight back at the injustice of the British legal system and the big business that wishes to control the situation. The group of friends create a web site to bring awareness to the plight and from there the site goes viral as more people are being informed.

For years Suzy, Matthew and their friends and family fight the charges in court, bringing in eye witnesses, scientists, experts and more to prove that some things are just worth fighting for.

I loved that this book was based on a true story, it always give the book an extra added appeal. I thought that the characters were likeable and interesting to read. I liked the dry humour that Matthew displays and the mysterious of Suzy as the story progresses was a nice touch.

I enjoyed reading about the British legal system and how it works, as well, the details shared in the courtroom were surprisingly easy to understand and follow. The author writes with a layman's feel and you are drawn into the intrigue of courtroom drama.

I would give The Accidental Activist a four out of five stars. While I enjoyed the read, I thought the book could have been expanded, giving us some more depth to the characters and their back stories. I sometimes felt rushed in their introductions to the story and would have liked to have savoured their nuances. However, this is a wonderful read and it has a feel good ending that I am sure most will appreciate.

[Lori L (She Treads Softly) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Accidental Activist by Alon Shalev is a novel based upon the McDonald’s libel trial that took place in England in the 1990’s. In the novel two young activists, with nothing but raw determination, take on a multinational corporation that tries to silence them. At the same time a young computer programmer discovers the power of the internet after he sets up a website to support the cause of the woman he wants to have a relationship with.

I'm torn on this one. On one hand I really was engrossed in the actual story of the legal case. It totally held my attention and was, in truth, the reason I accepted a review copy. It's always inspirational to read about ordinary citizens taking on multinational corporations and some of their nefarious practices. It was also very interesting to learn about Great Britain's archaic libel laws that were still in place in the 1990s. The courtroom drama part of The Accidental Activist was riveting.

On the other hand, I also experienced two less than stellar impressions.The rather graphic sex scene at the beginning of the novel seemed out of place, especially in comparison to the rest of the novel. To be honest, I would have stopped reading right then except for the fact that I had promised to review the novel. I was glad I kept reading because the scene was a fluke. The novel improved dramatically and I was hooked... but that just reinforced the awkwardness of the early sex scene.

The other thought I had was this: Since it is set in the 90's during the time when the internet was just emerging as a powerful tool to influence people and spread information, the setting also had the effect of making the novel feel dated because the internet is now so much a part of our daily lives. The 1990s wasn't that long ago, but, in the case of technology, it was. Keeping this dichotomy in mind while you are reading will be helpful. It's likely any "historical" novel that is actually set in rather recent times will induce the same feeling.

All in all, I enjoyed The Accidental Activist and would Recommend it, especially if you enjoy courtroom dramas.

Come back tomorrow for a guest post by author Alon Shalev where he discusses his "Transformational Fiction."

Disclaimer: I accepted a copy of this novel for review purposes.
http://shetreadssoftly.blogspot.com/

[A Book Vacation · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the 1990s when the internet is just emerging, Shalev has created a really interesting, fictional novel based on the events of a McDonald’s libel trial in England during the same time period. Focusing on a multinational corporation dealing in oil, the novel revolves around two young activists, Suzie and Bill, who find themselves sued for libel. The novel quickly heats up as the narrator, Matt, decides to use the internet to raise awareness and help for Suzie, the woman of his dreams, after he meets her one evening, starting a whirlwind romance neither of them expected. I found this to be a very well written novel dealing with the court systems in England and, being an American, it was quite interesting to see the differences between the two systems.

Shalev has created thought-provoking characters that are quite deep, though they seem a bit shallow in the beginning of the novel. I have to admit, in the beginning I was a little concerned that this novel might not be for me, especially as there was a sexual encounter and the characters seemed a bit trite. However, Shalev quickly bypasses the introductions of the characters to the reader and begins to round them out as they fight for their beliefs. This is one of those novels where you can’t help but route for the underdog. I have never thought about it before, but multinational corporations have an extreme amount of power and ability to cover their tracks. Watching Suzie and Bill take on the court system and represent themselves was riveting; I was reminded of John Grisham novels as the proceeding wore on—the attention to detail and readability/explanations helped put the reader right there in the courtroom alongside the cast of characters that Shalev has created. This was a great read, and anyone interested in court proceedings and the underdog really needs to read this book...

To read my full review (11/25):

http://wp.me/p1jhaj-1aO

[Laurel-Rain · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have ever been a part of an "underdog" kind of group, firmly believing in your cause and desperate to win out over the "establishment," The Accidental Activist will definitely appeal to you.

When a small group of protestors are served with a libel suit in 1990s Great Britain, our protagonist, Matt Fielding, steps forward to help. He has just connected with Suzie, the woman of his dreams, and he becomes involved because of her. As a computer programmer, he has assisted in the cause by creating a website that has become very popular. At this time in history, the Internet was a new source of information and the full extent of its power was unknown.

Facing these charges in Great Britain was uniquely difficult, as the libel laws during those times were not set up to benefit defendants. Taking on this battle was a David vs. Goliath event, and for the next six years of their lives, they fought for this cause.

Over the subsequent pages, I was intrigued by how the characters jockeyed for position in this battle, knowing that they were up against humongous odds.

While much of the legal posturing felt like unfamiliar territory to me, I was still captivated and could not wait to see how it would all play out.

Toward the end, I especially enjoyed this passage that shows us how great the odds were for these characters:

Suzie is explaining some of this to Matt. "But it's different out here on the political streets, Matt. We're in the right but that's not enough. You were blinded by our romance when you joined us and maybe at some point by our cause. But romance and righteousness just isn't going to be enough. We're not going to be able to saddle your horse after the verdict, Matt, and ride off into the sunset."

Poignant scenes like this follow the reader through to the end, where, without inserting spoilers, I can say that I felt the rush of tears (not necessarily sad ones) as the final outcome was rendered.

Five stars!

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the description of The Accidental Activist and felt it would be an amazing read. I had no idea how right I would be!

You will quickly love the characters. Matt is certainly idealistic, naïve, and a nice guy. Suzie is spunky, driven, and passionate. Combined they form an awesome team of activists! You will love the prologue—it is so funny!

The Accidental Activist is humorous, fun, and exciting to read. It took me quite by surprise how entertaining this was to read. I would easily read 40 pages without much effort! It was easy to invest in the story and care about what happened. I really want to know what happened in the case that this book is based on!

I finished The Accidental Activist and hugged it and sighed a breath of relief and satisfaction. It is an excellently well-crafted book of epic proportions. Do yourself a favor and read this book!

5 Trees: This book is no accident!

Get to reading,
Richard

*This book was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review*

[T.L. Mumley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author does a great job exposing a toxic industry with a perfectly executed "show don't tell" flair. Even the industry itself is changed to protect the not-so-innocent, and in doing so, Shalev exposes yet another shady industry and in particular how a multinational corporation might resort to unethical practices to silence political activist.

The story line moves at a pace that made me want to turn the next page, again and again. I started really caring for the characters by the second chapter, especially Matt and Suzie. As a strong environmentalist myself who questions many of the criminal doings of big corporations that trample over the people and the planet, I loved Suzie for her strong will to fight against the social injustices of big oil. Watching Matt transform toward Suzie's campaign while questioning his own project was a welcoming twist in plot for me. I won't say more as it could become a spoiler.

Bravo to the people! Bravo to political activist brave enough to stand up against the wrath of multinationals. An excellent read.

[PopcornReads - MkNoah · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was approached to be part of the blog tour for Alon Shalev’s novel, The Accidental Activist, it didn’t sound like the kind of novel we normally review but the concept and the quote below from the bio I was sent convinced me to take part.

“Alon Shalev has been a political activist since his early teens and believes that fiction can help create a better world. Shalev strives through his writing to highlight social and political injustice and to inspire action for change. A consistent theme that runs through Shalev's novels is his characters' capacity to become empowered to help create a better and more just world. “
Read the rest of my review at http://popcornreads.com/?p=2316.

[JoAnn Ainsworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written courtroom drama about environmentalists taking on a mega-sized oil company using information gathering via the Internet.

[Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great book, weird to read about the internet when it wasn't used like I've been my whole life. But it was a fresh prospective, and I really enjoyed it!