Do you want to change the world but wonder if there’s any point trying?

Are you unsure what you can offer, or don’t feel that you fit the activist mould?

Do you think activists can be self-righteous, even oblivious to the very people they’re trying to help?

‘A wise, rich and crucial book.’ George Monbiot

How Not To Save the World is a book about doing good, for anyone who has looked at politics or public discourse and thought, ‘we need better than this.’ The fervour that drives us to change the world can create blind spots, where we don’t see our own behaviour, or disregard it because the cause is urgent.

Realistic, candid and hopeful, How Not To Save the World is a sympathetic exploration of alternatives to righteousness, purity traps and other unhelpful habits. It shows that there are ways to work together for what matters, without alienating the people we need to convince.

We are delighted to welcome Andrea Lawson to bookhaus, where she will be in conversation with Liam Barrington-Bush. Come and engage in a deep conversation about activism and organising. Tickets are £7 and include a glass of wine or soft drink and £2 off the book. Presented by bookhaus.

Anthea Lawson (she/her) is an author and campaigner. Her books How Not To Save The World and The Entangled Activist help people who want to change the world think about the psychological, spiritual and philosophical foundations of what they’re doing, what’s getting in the way, and how they can be more effective. After training as a journalist at The Times, she worked for campaign groups including Global Witness and Amnesty International. She has fought for many issues over three decades including controls on the arms trade and an end to the financial secrecy offered by tax havens. 

Liam Barrington-Bush (he/him) is a social movement facilitator, community organiser and occasional writer. He lives in St Pauls, Bristol and is constantly searching for ways to undermine capitalism that are possible within the confines of parenthood. He is a co-founder and co-director of RadHR, started a community organising workshop series called Embrace the Mess, and is currently co-developing a peer to peer management training for collectively-run activist and community groups. In 2013 he wrote a book called Anarchists in the Boardroom and still stands behind at least half of what he said in it.

‘The stories in this book show how we can build bridges in order to work together for the world that we want.’ Brian Eno

‘Read it and weep, laugh, cringe… it might bring more compassion and togetherness in a broken world.’ Dr. Gail Bradbrook, co-founder of Extinction Rebellion

‘Anthea Lawson’s provocative book provides us with deep insights into the tactical, emotional and ethical complexities of campaigning.’ Sir Jonathon Porritt