Norm Phelps, author of The Longest Struggle: Animal Advocacy from Pythagoras to PETA and The Great Compassion: Buddhism and Animal Rights

“Brilliant, easy to read, full of real-life experiences and practical examples. If you want to make your life count, influence others and save a few thousand lives, this book is your roadmap. Give it to everyone you know!”

Ingrid Newkirk, president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals 

“Striking at the Roots is a practical field guide for animal rights activists that covers a wide spectrum of strategies and tactics for dealing with the media, the courts, the streets, and those foul dark places of horror where animals are so cruelly treated, and where compassionate activists must reluctantly venture, in pursuit of effective intervention. If you are serious about helping animals, then you should seriously read this book.”

Captain Paul Watson, founder and president of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society

"From publicizing an issue to taking action, from feeding a large group to running a rescue center, activists will find this guide from veteran animal-rights crusader Hawthorne detailed, straightforward and highly practical, even if your cause isn’t animal rights. Drawing on his own experience and those of his colleagues, Hawthorne provides advice from a number of perspectives on a long list of methods: leafleting, letters and articles, protests, corporate campaigning, internet outreach, direct action and government lobbying. Though it’s concerned throughout with inter-species justice, providing an adequate introduction to the principles, history and progress of the animal rights movement, as well as numerous animal rights resources, the book’s tips on tabling, organizing protests, effective letter-writing and other matters are just as easily applied to any cause. Concise guidance, an empowering tone and a large, global community of voices make this book eminently useful for anyone organizing a movement, though Hawthorne’s optimism can belie the often difficult path to change."
Publishers Weekly

“Mark Hawthorne demonstrates that anyone, regardless of the resources at their disposal, can and should get active for animals. His advice for positive, results-oriented advocacy will help advance the cause of animal protection. For anyone interested in what they can do to garner wins for animals, Mark’s book is a great place to start.”

Wayne Pacelle, president and chief executive officer of The Humane Society of the United States

“After reading Mark Hawthorne’s new book, Striking at the Roots, I have to say I could not be more impressed. From the first to the last page it is filled with every single aspect that one can think of in animal activism. Mr. Hawthorne’s compassion for righting an ever-present evil is evident in every word written. If you are, or are preparing to become, an animal activist, this book is a must-read. Some will call this book the Primer of all Animal Activists.”

Earle Bingley, president of Canadian Voice for Animals Foundation

“Striking at the Roots is an eloquent and inspirational guide to action for animals. The power to change society rests with each and every one of us – it’s not enough to change ourselves, we have an obligation to planet Earth, to the web of life itself, to change others. This book motivates and informs, puts the passion into compassion and will save lives.”

Juliet Gellatley, founder and director of Viva!

"What happens when you ask one hundred and twenty animal activists their advice about strategy, tactics, and making meaningful change for animals? The answer is Mark Hawthorne's new book Striking at the Roots: A Practical Guide to Animal Activism. Highly readable, Hawthorne's text demystifies advocacy, showing the myriad entry points where people can get effectively involved, from the small-scale to elaborate, from the casual to highly organized. Showcasing the voices of activists, the personable text pulses with infectious enthusiasm."
Lauren Corman, host of "Animal Voices"

“Mark Hawthorne once again reminds us of the power of one. Striking at the Roots is a complete roadmap for animal activists, from letter writing to guiding those who may find themselves arrested. It directs readers to available resources, organizations, and individuals. But it goes beyond the general guide book by including passionate stories from national leaders and grassroots activists from several countries. It also considers the emotional toll on activists by offering guidance for finding one’s emotional level of activism and includes suggestions on maintaining some peace of mind while engaged in the struggle; this is a major contribution. Striking at the Roots is a compassionate and valuable tool for activists.”
Dorothy H. Hayes, author of Animal Instinct

“In Striking at the Roots, Mark Hawthorne manages to set before us the full horrors of man’s inhumanity to animals without leaving the reader feeling helpless and puny. He has talked to campaigners in many countries, analyzing what works and, having done so, can signpost the way to positive action. His writing is lucid, shrewd and results-driven. He advises on everything from talking to the public at a street stall to affecting a change of policy at a major corporation. There is also guidance on how to survive emotionally the knowledge that, second by second, money and prestige come to those who mass produce, abuse and dispose of animals. His message is that the task we face is immense but that when people of compassion apply themselves skillfully, we have what it takes to change the world.” 
Andrew Tyler, director of Animal Aid

"Mark Hawthorne’s Striking at the Roots is the ultimate how-to manual for anyone who wants to become an effective advocate for animals. Written with a deep understanding of the need for compassion in our advocacy, the book also teaches us how to treat ourselves, as activists, with compassion. This is a truly original and remarkable book."
Stephen Wells, executive director of the Animal Legal Defense Fund

“There is not a single page of this book from which I did not learn something valuable!” 
Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, author of When Elephants Weep: The Emotional Lives of Animals and The Pig Who Sang to the Moon: The Emotional World of Farm Animals

“Many people want to help end animal abuse but don’t know where to start. This book is an excellent guide for everything from casual, spare-time activism to full-time careers.”
Dan Piraro, creator of “Bizarro”