{"product_id":"the-minamata-story-by-sean-michael-wilson-9781611720563","title":"The Minamata Story","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis \u003cstrong\u003egraphic novel\u003c\/strong\u003e dramatizes the story of \u003cem\u003eMinamata\u003c\/em\u003e, famous around the world as one of the most egregious examples of environmental poisoning. Identified in 1956, a final compensation settlement was not reached until 2010. Over 2,000 people were affected and over 1,700 have died.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMany people have heard about Minamata, but few know the real story or the human cost. The artist is Japanese, and the writer a UK citizen residing in Japan, giving the book \u003cstrong\u003ea great mix of narrative and authentic representation\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMovie connection:\u003c\/strong\u003e A movie titled \u003cem\u003eMinamata\u003c\/em\u003e starring Johnny Depp is currently being filmed in Japan; release date TBD (2020?). It is based on the life of W. Eugene Smith, whose photo essay on Minamata in the 1970s \u003cstrong\u003estunned the world\u003c\/strong\u003e. Note that our book is not a direct or licensed tie-in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAuthor Wilson has a \u003cstrong\u003esolid track record\u003c\/strong\u003e of historical documentation of Japanese history and culture. His works include \u003cem\u003eThe Book of Five Rings, Yakuza Moon,\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eBlack Ships\u003c\/em\u003e. New Internationalist, a CBSD client, publishes Wilson's recent book \u003cem\u003eThe Many Not the Few\u003c\/em\u003e, ISBN 9781780264448.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis book appeals to ecowarriors of all ages, but the manga presentation makes it \u003cstrong\u003ea good choice for younger readers\u003c\/strong\u003e, although it is not marketed as a children's title. Most recently, the story of Minamata reminds us of the problem of lead-poisoned water in Flint, Michigan, and represents the same kind of governmental bungling and indifference.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAUTHOR PAGE ON WIKIPEDIA\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sean_Michael_Wilson\"\u003ehttps:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sean_Michael_Wilson\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMARKETING POINTS\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGraphic Novels are hot:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eAccording to \u003cem\u003ePublishers Weekly re Y2018:\u003c\/em\u003e This is a marked difference from the 1.3% increase seen across all print publishing (not just graphic novels) in the U.S. and it indicates healthy growth for the category.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eAccording to \u003cem\u003ePublishers Weekly:\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eAccording to \u003cem\u003ecomicbook.com May 2019:\u003c\/em\u003e with shonen bringing in the bulk of money.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eNot only is the sale of manga on a rise in North America, but the report reveals that about 25% of the entire graphic novel market belongs to manga in the United States.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eStatistics on Eco Activism groups:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Wikipedia, there are 150 active Eco Activism groups in the US. Some of the biggest include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eThe Sierra Club: 1.3 million members\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eWorld Wildlife Fund: 5 million members\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eGreenpeace: 2.5 million members\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eNatural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): 1.2 million members\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47464449638636,"sku":"9781611720563","price":34.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781611720563-the-minamata-story.jpg?v=1775049062","url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/products\/the-minamata-story-by-sean-michael-wilson-9781611720563","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}