'Full of wisdom, sadness, flourishes of joy and psychedelic visions' GUARDIAN
'Astonishing' IPAPER
'Beautiful and gripping . . . a fascinating work of cultural anthropology, told from the inside' NEW SCIENTIST
'I'm here to tell you my story, which is also the story of my people and the story of this forest.'
Born into the Waorani tribe of Ecuador's Amazon rainforest, Nemonte Nenquimo was taught about plant medicines, foraging, oral storytelling, and shamanism by her elders. Age 14, she left the forest for the first time to study with an evangelical missionary group in the city. Eventually, her ancestors began appearing in her dreams, pleading with her to return and embrace her own culture.
She listened.
Two decades later, Nemonte has emerged as one of the most forceful voices in climate-change activism. She has spearheaded the alliance of indigenous nations across the Upper Amazon and led her people to a landmark victory against Big Oil, protecting over a half million acres of primary rainforest. Her message is as sharp as the spears that her ancestors wielded - honed by her experiences battling loggers, miners, oil companies and missionaries.
In this astonishing memoir, she partners with her husband Mitch Anderson, founder of Amazon Frontlines, digging into generations of oral history, uprooting centuries of conquest, hacking away at racist notions of Indigenous peoples, and ultimately revealing a life story as rich, harsh and vital as the Amazon rainforest herself.
More praise for We Will Not Be Saved:
'Nemonte's writing is as provocative as it is inspiring' EMMA THOMPSON
'One of the most effective leaders for indigenous rights' LAURENE POWELL JOBS
'A radical manifesto for our times' VANESSA KIRBY
'An act of storytelling generosity' NATHALIE KELLY
'Inspiring, moving and unforgettable' ROWAN HOOPER
'Truly Inspiring and humbling' CAROLINE SANDERSON
** Publishing in the US as WE WILL BE JAGUARS**
Write a Review
We Will Not Be Saved 9781472289247 Hardback
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We Will Not Be Saved, Nemonte Nenquimo
This is an incredibly important book that should be on every book list. Many will read it as a poignant story of growing up in the forest and fighting exploitation. That it is, but also so much more. Ms. Nenquimo eloquently teaches us the experience of living in a world of connection to reality i…
This is an incredibly important book that should be on every book list. Many will read it as a poignant story of growing up in the forest and fighting exploitation. That it is, but also so much more. Ms. Nenquimo eloquently teaches us the experience of living in a world of connection to reality instead of a world driven by the fevers of money and consumerism. There is so much for "civilization" to learn from the earth's few remaining humans who know how to listen to and converse with the planet we all share. Words do not exist to express how grateful I am - we all should be - for this book and how highly I recommend it.
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Inspiring and Incredible!
Nemonte Nenquimo, along with her husband has written her story, the story of her people, their resilience in the face of impossible odds in the book ‘We Will Not Be Saved’. There is defiance on every page along with the cultural assertiveness necessary to keep her people alive and thriving. In 195…
Nemonte Nenquimo, along with her husband has written her story, the story of her people, their resilience in the face of impossible odds in the book ‘We Will Not Be Saved’. There is defiance on every page along with the cultural assertiveness necessary to keep her people alive and thriving. In 1956, Waorani warriors speared and killed five evangelical missionaries trying to make contact, The effort to convert these ‘savages’ continued with the sister, Rachel Saint, of one of the missionaries killed. For more than forty years Rachel lived among this formerly uncontacted tribe. The Christians brought diseases like polio, sugar and cooking oil, toys and clothing as well as their evangelical message. They also brought shame, oil companies, guns and alcohol. Nemonte’s story is one of resurrection and faith, but not the resurrection and faith proselytized by the missionaries. It is a story of how women became empowered to save their culture, way of life, their people, from the ravages of colonizer’s greed and avarice. Nemonte along with other women launched a court battle in Ecuador that ended up protecting a half million acres of Amazonian forest form destruction. This book contains a story which affects us all and shows a pathway through to reclamation, justice and a way forward for people everywhere on the planet. Compelling. Heartbreaking and heartwarming. I cannot recommend this book strongly enough. It truly is a ‘MUST’ read.
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Fine reading, last warnings about future
Keep up the good work
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We will not be saved
Evocative , informative, emotive, useful.
- Authors:
- Nenquimo, Nemonte
- Format:
- Hardback
- ISBN:
- 9781472289247
- Publication Date:
- 06/06/2024
- Publisher:
- Headline Publishing Group
- Year Published:
- 2024
- Country of Publication:
- United Kingdom
- Number of Pages:
- 384
- Place of Publication:
- London
- Language:
- English
- SKU:
- 9781472289247