Derek J Wilson

First published in 2001, this book is now in its 3rd edition. The following is the Foreword by George Porter (founder and past President of the Pacific Institute of Resource Management, Aotearoa New Zealand):

Derek Wilson makes an impassioned case for priority to be given to these issues by government, institutions and society generally. He draws heavily, as he must, on well-known leaders in the peace, environmental and social movements, going back to 1962 to recall Rachel Carson’s seminal work, Silent Spring, that could be said to have started the modern environmental movement. We are repeatedly reminded of those who are trying to discredit these popular movements working for economic and social change. These are indeed evil forces that would speed up the destructive process that is driving human society and the natural world to its final breakdown.

This authoritative book gives a clear and thorough overview of the impending global crisis, covering all major sectors of human activity. By recourse to a great many books, monographs and official documentation, the author presents a wealth of information which I am sure will be of much interest to its readers, especially to research students. It is of particular value in making the connections amongst the constituent parts of the global predicament. It is also positive in drawing attention to many dynamic and hopeful initiatives that are growing in response to the overall challenge.

This material has been suitably amplified and heavily footnoted, indicating the depth of the author’s research. The facts cannot legitimately be questioned — nor can the conclusions.

This is a book with a powerful challenge, packed with vital, thoroughly interesting information. If you accept the positive message that comes through, rather than finding it depressing, you are more likely to be positively stimulated.

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Click here for review of Five Holocausts by Dennis Small

Click here to download a summary of the Dennis Small review

Chapter samples:

Chapter 1: Militarism
Chapter 2: Human Oppression
Chapter 3: Economic Destitution
Chapter 4: Population Explosion
Chapter 5: Environmental Destruction

Five Holocausts recommendations:

Here is a guide to these vital issues, distilled by Derek Wilson from his long study of the sources and his many years of thinking and writing about the future of the planet. It is understanding and awareness of the world’s best interests which lie at the heart of this book. (Rt Hon David Lange Prime Minister of New Zealand 1984-89)

This is an extremely valuable source book – full of interesting material that has rarely been gathered together in so accessible form. (Edward Goldsmith Founder-editor The Ecologist UK)

This book is one of the most complete summaries of the ills effecting our planet that I have come across. The information is concise but offers enough detail to enable readers to develop an overview of the subject while the extensive notes and references offer options for further reading. I am sure that it will prove useful to a wide range of readers. (J I Tutty Masterton District Librarian NZ)

Five Holocausts is for and about us and our follies and failures. One copy at least should be lodged in every classroom, newsroom, NGO office and library in Aotearoa New Zealand. It challenges us, and, valuably, helps us with scores of practical ideas, to start living and working for a future that will give our children and grandchildren some chance of a peaceful life, and a viable planet on which to live it. (Ian Johnston Wellington broadcaster and writer)

Derek Wilson’s textbook sized work is a 10-year labour of love. The idea is that the world faces ruin through five intertwining apocalypses of human construction. Militarism, human oppression, economic destitution, population explosion and environmental destruction are the horsemen. The reason for having the five holocausts in one book is that they cannot be understood or dealt with in isolation. The problems are vast and indisputable; uncounted acres of taxpayer gold are thoroughly wasted on armaments, trillions of dollars spin round the world in unproductive speculation, people enslave each other given half a chance, rich nations use vast shares of the Earth’s resources and the environment is in accelerating decline. The point of a New Zealand- produced book on the subject – given that none of the above registers in the average Kiwi’s day to day – is that acting to stop it all is in everyone’s interests. (Alistair Bone Listener reviewer)

This collection of facts, like other writings on the global situation, suggests that there is something unique about our times, and that this is a crunch generation. The scope of the problems taken together, and the unequalled capacity of humanity to change and destroy, has become (like the sheer number of the human population) overwhelming. Derek Wilson joins a valued chorus of world citizens who point to the problem and ask that we refuse to put our collective heads in the sand but rather act together to make the required changes. Derek Wilson has provided a valuable resource book, gathering together a wide variety of the key information which is so essential for an informed debate… most of the facts listed are simply that – undeniable facts. The challenge is to deepen the analysis, to build on this information and to extend our knowledge and appreciation of the global crises which may be just over the horizon. (John Robinson Wellington educationalist and writer)

The more I read your ‘Five Holocausts’ the more I am impressed. You have written the bible of the radical green movement. (John Papworth Editor Fourth World Review UK)

On balance, the book is a valuable contribution to work for peace, equality and sustainability. It would be a useful source book for organisations and people involved with these issues and for anyone who wants to learn. It is the kind of book you can dip into and be interested, informed and challenged. (Nick Henry Victoria University student journal Salient)

The world is going to hell in a handbasket and Derek Wilson proves it. No, he really does… If you want a book that brings together masses of research on the problems of the planet – get this book – it’s bloody amazing. (Fiona Otago University student journal Critic)

I have just finished reading Five Holocausts with a mixture of horror and satisfaction. The horror for obvious reasons and the satisfaction for knowing that my gut feelings for many years have been written about and confirmed in such a readable and accessible way. Your book should be compulsory reading for all New Zealanders, especially members of Parliament, although I realise that they are also trapped in the global scene and can do little to control what happens here.
As ‘depression babies’ we have always been careful with money, water, power, etc., and are appalled at the waste, consumerism, that we see all around us. I can see no way of changing society and see the worst things about other countries gradually happening here. Apart from our ‘anti-nuclear’ policy, we seem to be unable to stop intrusion of policies of the rest of the world. No wonder the US can’t stand that piece of independence.
Your work must be a masterpiece of research and to be able to read quotes from speeches, conversations and reports all in one book makes for compulsive reading. I actually got my copy from our library but will buy a copy to ensure my extended family all read it. Thank you for your wonderful achievement. (Letter of appreciation from a New Zealander)

Just wanted to drop you a line and say how impressive your book is and what a treasure-trove of knowledge it contains. It is some deal! I’m sure glad that I got it. Thanks again. (Email from a Californian lawyer)

Thank you so much for writing such a magnificent book “5 Holocausts”. It should be compulsory reading for every citizen of the world. Now that I have found it I hope to order many more for my friends. (Letter from a New Zealander)