The Record Exchange (1105 W. Idaho St. Boise) is honored to be hosting a launch party for Steve Bunk’s anti-megaloads book “Goliath Staggered: How the People of Highway 12 Conquered Big Oil” at 6 p.m. First Thursday, April 3. The event will feature a presentation by Bunk, live music by Hillfolk Noir and free beer (21 and older with valid I.D.) courtesy of Payette Brewing Co. As always, this Record Exchange event is free and all ages.
Festivities start at 6 p.m. with a set by Hillfolk Noir on The Record Exchange stage, followed by remarks from Bunk on the significance of the grassroots resistance to the megaloads, and ending with another set by the band. The book will be available for purchase at the event and Bunk will sign copies.
“Goliath Staggered” follows the rise, growth, and triumph of the people’s movement to prevent major oil companies from transforming Highway 12’s federally protected Wild and Scenic River corridor through northern Idaho from transformation into a high-and-wide industrial thoroughfare. The battle, which raged in meeting halls, on the streets, in the media, and the courts from spring 2010 until autumn 2013, forced Big Oil to find another route for giant infrastructural equipment bound for the tar sands of Alberta, Canada.
The people’s victory, which was far from assured until a federal court ruled in their favor, became an inspiration for the current national grassroots movement against the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline, which would carry crude oil from the tar sands through six states to the Gulf of Mexico for refining.
Bunk, who reported for New West on the saga as it unfolded, and whose book has been warmly received by prominent conservationists, will talk about the importance of grassroots movements to slowing the rate at which carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels enters the atmosphere, imperiling the health of the planet.
“Goliath Staggered,” which will be available April 3 in paperback and eBook, is the initial release from New West Books. More information on the book can be found at newwestbooks.com.
