Review of People of the Dune
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Kutloano Makhuvhela
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Review of People of the Dune
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "People of the Dune" by Jim Olson.]
An international mining firm by the name of Mython Corporation has an interest in opening operations in the middle of North America. It wants to open a mine there, and it hopes that by doing so, it will help the area with employment and investment in multiple areas and contribute greatly to the economy. That sounds good and enticing at first, but the area that Mython Corporation wants to mine on is very important to the indigenous communities there, so they oppose the move. According to local tribes, these aren’t just ordinary dunes, but they have a spiritual connection to them as they believe the sacred mounds are buried there. They also assert that they have historical and aesthetic value.
So, the battle begins. Mythos Corporation pulls all the stops to advance their plans. They hire armies of lawyers to fight this, and so the local tribes also form groups in retaliation called Mound People Coalition, while other residents and state organisations form People of the Dune. Together, they amass enough support for their causes, and people come to erect encampments on the dunes as a form of civil disobedience and protest against this huge firm. The battle then goes to the courtroom, where both parties appear in front of Judge Odom “Odie” Holmes, who, above everything, loves the law and believes in it fully. He hears both arguments, and the verdict he gives after has ripple effects, not to the parties concerned but to himself, too, and the law as a whole.
People of the Dune by Jim Olson is a law philosophical drama that touches on many themes that go out and beyond the courtroom. It touches on many themes that are connected to give us a very thought-provoking read that will have you enchanted from start to finish. Jim Olson’s background as a lawyer came handy in writing this book. He is described as a lawyer who has received multiple awards in his field. He has also received recognition for his writing, especially on the subject of environmental law. So, approaching this book, you will feel the experience and appreciate it more in this believable tale.
I enjoyed how unconventionally this book was written, organised, and presented. At first, it read like reportage. I felt like I was reading a newspaper, reporting on a controversial, divisive issue. Then it changed to read like a novel. When I thought it would remain so for ever, it switched and read like a play, especially when the board members of the firm were in a meeting to decide how to move forward and counter the protestations. I appreciated this because it kept me on my toes. I simply didn’t know what the book would throw at me next.
The book didn’t have one protagonist because, as I have said, it was not a conventional novel. All characters who appeared here shared the screen time. People you thought wouldn’t be influential ended up being so. And for me, that person was none other than Judge Odom “Odie” Holmes. From his first appearance, I could tell he wasn’t like any other judge. He was different in appearance and behaviour. His thoughts as a judge were refreshing. As a character, he was developed in such a way that when he started sharing his thoughts, it could be viewed as daring and unflinching. The opinions he shared were consequential and later helped the law position itself in a capable place to best protect nature while protecting the individual rights and liberties of citizens.
This wasn’t the book about evil or good, oppression or freedom; it was more than that. It questioned both spectrums using the law. So villains here might not be viewed as such by others because their ways were not that destructive just for the sake of it but because they felt they were within their rights to do so. What was impressive was that the book was under just 200 pages but managed to cover all the events. This showed how concise the author was. What I loved even further were the illustrations that appeared here and there. They helped to boost the imagination and might help the young audience feel included.
There is nothing I disliked about the book. It far exceeded all of my expectations and left me with a sweet taste in my mouth. I found few errors that didn’t lower the quality of the book in any way. It showed it was exceptionally edited. So, I rate this book five out of five stars. I strongly recommend it to people who are interested in law, especially the philosophical side of it, and those who are into conservation.
******
People of the Dune
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
An international mining firm by the name of Mython Corporation has an interest in opening operations in the middle of North America. It wants to open a mine there, and it hopes that by doing so, it will help the area with employment and investment in multiple areas and contribute greatly to the economy. That sounds good and enticing at first, but the area that Mython Corporation wants to mine on is very important to the indigenous communities there, so they oppose the move. According to local tribes, these aren’t just ordinary dunes, but they have a spiritual connection to them as they believe the sacred mounds are buried there. They also assert that they have historical and aesthetic value.
So, the battle begins. Mythos Corporation pulls all the stops to advance their plans. They hire armies of lawyers to fight this, and so the local tribes also form groups in retaliation called Mound People Coalition, while other residents and state organisations form People of the Dune. Together, they amass enough support for their causes, and people come to erect encampments on the dunes as a form of civil disobedience and protest against this huge firm. The battle then goes to the courtroom, where both parties appear in front of Judge Odom “Odie” Holmes, who, above everything, loves the law and believes in it fully. He hears both arguments, and the verdict he gives after has ripple effects, not to the parties concerned but to himself, too, and the law as a whole.
People of the Dune by Jim Olson is a law philosophical drama that touches on many themes that go out and beyond the courtroom. It touches on many themes that are connected to give us a very thought-provoking read that will have you enchanted from start to finish. Jim Olson’s background as a lawyer came handy in writing this book. He is described as a lawyer who has received multiple awards in his field. He has also received recognition for his writing, especially on the subject of environmental law. So, approaching this book, you will feel the experience and appreciate it more in this believable tale.
I enjoyed how unconventionally this book was written, organised, and presented. At first, it read like reportage. I felt like I was reading a newspaper, reporting on a controversial, divisive issue. Then it changed to read like a novel. When I thought it would remain so for ever, it switched and read like a play, especially when the board members of the firm were in a meeting to decide how to move forward and counter the protestations. I appreciated this because it kept me on my toes. I simply didn’t know what the book would throw at me next.
The book didn’t have one protagonist because, as I have said, it was not a conventional novel. All characters who appeared here shared the screen time. People you thought wouldn’t be influential ended up being so. And for me, that person was none other than Judge Odom “Odie” Holmes. From his first appearance, I could tell he wasn’t like any other judge. He was different in appearance and behaviour. His thoughts as a judge were refreshing. As a character, he was developed in such a way that when he started sharing his thoughts, it could be viewed as daring and unflinching. The opinions he shared were consequential and later helped the law position itself in a capable place to best protect nature while protecting the individual rights and liberties of citizens.
This wasn’t the book about evil or good, oppression or freedom; it was more than that. It questioned both spectrums using the law. So villains here might not be viewed as such by others because their ways were not that destructive just for the sake of it but because they felt they were within their rights to do so. What was impressive was that the book was under just 200 pages but managed to cover all the events. This showed how concise the author was. What I loved even further were the illustrations that appeared here and there. They helped to boost the imagination and might help the young audience feel included.
There is nothing I disliked about the book. It far exceeded all of my expectations and left me with a sweet taste in my mouth. I found few errors that didn’t lower the quality of the book in any way. It showed it was exceptionally edited. So, I rate this book five out of five stars. I strongly recommend it to people who are interested in law, especially the philosophical side of it, and those who are into conservation.
******
People of the Dune
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
‘When you do a good deed, people are grateful, and that creates a nice feeling inside you; and then because it feels good, that makes you want to do more good deeds. That repetition is the cycle of goodness.’
~Hogoromo.
~Hogoromo.
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