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savaging's review against another edition
5.0
An extraordinary and bone-chilling book. I was reluctant to read another book about climate change because I already know how this story goes: we're making the earth unliveable and those in power are just ignoring and denying reality, right?
Not so, reveals Miller: those in power are proactively preparing for climate change, with massive investments and detailed plans. But the crisis they're readying to confront isn't environmental destruction. No: it's the people affected by it -- the masses who lose their homes and their land and maybe become ungovernable, maybe look for a home elsewhere, maybe demand a redistribution of what resources remain. Instead of trying to sustain the earth's life systems for all, states are preparing to sustain the system of capitalism and the power of those who rule.
Miller reveals that every agency with guns, guards, and gates is preparing to combat climate refugees. They talk about it in their public memos. They are supported by the same old war profiteers with new, all-encompassing technologies.
It's a rough book to read, but there are some things I really love about it. Miller shows that we can't think of migration and climate change as two separate issues, because the State doesn't. We must fight border militarization while demanding environmental care, or else it's a fascist hellscape for us all.
The book also makes a powerful argument that we're in this together. The border isn't a place, it's a politics. With current technologies, any region that experiences environmental crisis, even well inside national boundaries, can become blocked off and contained. Any state can refuse entrance to "internally displaced people." Those who live near the border already know that border militarization technologies are used against US citizens -- Miller shows that these weapons can be turned against anyone, at any time.
I wouldn't say this is a hopeful book, but it does have a clear-eyed analysis that feels helpful for navigating the road ahead.
Not so, reveals Miller: those in power are proactively preparing for climate change, with massive investments and detailed plans. But the crisis they're readying to confront isn't environmental destruction. No: it's the people affected by it -- the masses who lose their homes and their land and maybe become ungovernable, maybe look for a home elsewhere, maybe demand a redistribution of what resources remain. Instead of trying to sustain the earth's life systems for all, states are preparing to sustain the system of capitalism and the power of those who rule.
Miller reveals that every agency with guns, guards, and gates is preparing to combat climate refugees. They talk about it in their public memos. They are supported by the same old war profiteers with new, all-encompassing technologies.
It's a rough book to read, but there are some things I really love about it. Miller shows that we can't think of migration and climate change as two separate issues, because the State doesn't. We must fight border militarization while demanding environmental care, or else it's a fascist hellscape for us all.
The book also makes a powerful argument that we're in this together. The border isn't a place, it's a politics. With current technologies, any region that experiences environmental crisis, even well inside national boundaries, can become blocked off and contained. Any state can refuse entrance to "internally displaced people." Those who live near the border already know that border militarization technologies are used against US citizens -- Miller shows that these weapons can be turned against anyone, at any time.
I wouldn't say this is a hopeful book, but it does have a clear-eyed analysis that feels helpful for navigating the road ahead.
ajkhn's review against another edition
4.0
It was a really great book to be sure, but there were large segments where it seemed to refer more to other folks' work than to develop its own argument. I think Storming the Wall was at its best as a journalistic account, following individuals in Guatemala, Paris, and the Philippines. There were times when its connective tissue ended up a bit too reliant on others' work, for my taste, than really connecting these individuals' stories. I should probably put in the HUGE CAVEAT that I read this while suck in a huge post-Thanksgiving travel delay so I may not have been in a great mood. That might affect its rating subconsciously. But its a really valuable book!
boritabletennis's review against another edition
5.0
I never say must-read but, really, I should this time.
catalystcafe's review against another edition
4.0
This book has a lot of important topics to discuss on the impact of global warming, and relays them well throughout. It does suffer, however, with clarity of ideas with lack of a good copy editor in the writing and allows for many typos (particularly towards the unattended ending chapters of the book) that take away from understanding. But overall a powerful call for better use of resources and transformation to face our globe's climate crisis and to embrace our interconnectedness among all people.
jeannemurray3gmailcom's review
4.0
Part of the 2020 UMW Reading Program.
This book really opened my eyes to different ideas of how Climate Change is affecting our world. It is affecting economics and migration in a big way. The author made me realize that solutions made for migration can eventually affect all people in the U.S. Militarization can spread to control other things besides migration.
I will be reading this book again as I know that a second reading will give me even more understanding of issues. This could change my rating of this book from a 4 star to a 5 star book.
This book really opened my eyes to different ideas of how Climate Change is affecting our world. It is affecting economics and migration in a big way. The author made me realize that solutions made for migration can eventually affect all people in the U.S. Militarization can spread to control other things besides migration.
I will be reading this book again as I know that a second reading will give me even more understanding of issues. This could change my rating of this book from a 4 star to a 5 star book.
prcizmadia's review against another edition
5.0
This book strikes the perfect balance between objective, focused scholarly research and an on-the-ground, present voice embedded in the structure without being sanctimonious or self-congratulatory. Miller does an incredible job of drawing the disparate threads of a tremendously complex situation together, painting a truly dark picture that did leave me helpless. But the humanity on display, and his openness, really put me back together. I did not expect an emotional response beyond anger and helplessness, but I got something much more.
avrowland96's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Death, Racism, War, and Colonisation