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What are the best non-fiction books (or secondarily, movies) about battling entrenched corporate interests + being on the "right side of history"? eg. erin brockovich. Battles against big industries, like energy, or pharma, where the legacy players were big and powerful, David & Goliath type tales from business history. Especially where the little guy one. If not book or movie, then good investigative journalism / pieces
Hi, thanks for your question about non-fiction books and films about battling major industries or corporate interests similar to the Erin Brockovich story. The short answer is that there are several major books and films dealing with this subject, and many of them have been influential in creating legislation, if not just righting a wrong. Below is a list of books/films and brief descriptions of their cases. These films and books were chosen as "best" because of their relevance to your specific request, customer ratings and popularity from major retailers. They all detail legal cases or settlements involving individuals and major companies, publications, or institutions.
Amazon: 4.5/5
In 2009, Canadian singer David Carroll released what would become a viral video called “United Breaks Guitars.” The song was inspired by a recent flight Carroll took with United Airlines where the airline broke his guitar, part of his checked-in luggage. He continually asked United for compensation, and eventually released the song in frustration. The video went viral and United stock decreased by 10%.
This book and film combination talk about the first class-action sexual harassment lawsuit in the US. Filed in 1988 and lasting 14 years, the book details the Jenson v. Eveleth Mines class-action lawsuit dealing with the 1975 harassment case where the only female miners accused the company of misogynistic practices, gender discrimination, and abuse. The women eventually won the case. North Country is the film adaptation of the case starring Charlize Theron.
Amazon: 4.5/5
This book deals with the 1999-2002 WorldCom fraudulent financials scandal. At the time, Cooper was a chief audit executive at WorldCom and she details her experience in uncovering part of WorldCom’s fraudulence. The scandal resulted in a revision of the financials that reduced profits by over $3.2 billion.
Amazon: 5/5
This book deals with the human rights case for 17-year old Joelito Filartiga, a Paraguayan teen that was tortured and killed by the country’s police. The book is written by Richard Alan White, who is personally acquainted with the family, and talks about the legal battle pursued by White and Joelito’s father, a famous Paraguayan artist Dr. Joel Filartiga.
Amazon: 4.5/5
This book is in the process of being turned into an HBO movie, with much controversy. The story is about a tobacco farmer “whose cells are taken by Johns Hopkins University without her permission in 1951” and involved in several major medical innovations, including in vitro, HIV/AIDS and cancer research, and vaccinations. The current controversy is rooted in Lawrence Lacks (Henrietta’s son) accusing the author and filmmakers of taking advantage of his mother’s story and of skewing the family’s image.
RT: 87%
This story involves a lawsuit against Larry Flynt, creator of Hustler magazine, and a major censorship case against him. The lawsuit was due to a parody of Jerry Falwell, a priest and political commentator, as a drunkard, which Falwell found offensive; the case was ruled entirely in favor of Flynt in the spirit of free speech. The film stars Woody Harrelson, Courtney Love, and Edward Norton.
RT: 80%
This film addresses post-WWII British women working in Ford’s Dagenham factory and the strike that took place there after allegations of sexual discrimination against male factory workers and management. The women were also demanding equal pay. The film is produced by BBC Films and stars Sally Hawkins, Bob Hoskins, and Miranda Richardson.
RT: 96%
The 1999 film addresses the aftermath of a groundbreaking “60 Minutes” interview with Dr. Jeffrey Wigand, who at the time was an employee for tobacco company Brown & Williamson. Dr. Wigand broke his confidentiality agreement with the company in order to expose the dangers of smoking. The episode was meant to be aired months prior and was not, and was nearly buried in effort to avoid a lawsuit . The story resulted in several major lawsuits involving large tobacco companies. The film stars Al Pacino, Russell Crow, and Diane Venora.
RT: 95%
More of a documentary film, this Joe Berlinger production deals with what was called the Amazonian Chernobyl. This incident refers to the cause of a long-lasting legal action lawsuit against Texaco (now Chevron) and a proposed $27.3 billion in damages . The film accuses Texaco of dumping 18 billion gallons of toxic materials into the Ecuadorian Amazon’s waterways and jungle. According to a 2016 Fortune article, Chevron won a major ruling due to the prosecuting attorney’s fraudulent dealings.
RT: 60%
This John Travolta film bears similarity to Erin Brockovich because it also deals with groundwater contamination). As a result of companies irresponsibly handling toxic waste, Jimmy Anderson died in 1981 at the age of 12. The Andersons’ story has culminated in a book and a movie by the same title, and it goes as far back as 1979. The film stars John Travolta, Robert Duval, and Tony Shalhoub.
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