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A Field Philosopher's Guide to Fracking: How One Texas Town Stood Up to Big Oil and Gas
When philosophy professor Adam Briggle moved to Denton, Texas, he had never heard of fracking. Only five years later he would successfully lead a citizens' initiative to ban hydraulic fracturing in Denton—the first Texas town to challenge the oil and gas industry. On his journey to learn about fracking and its effects, he leaped from the ivory tower into the fray.
In beautifully narrated chapters, Briggle brings us to town hall debates and neighborhood meetings where citizens wrestle with issues few fully understand. Is fracking safe? How does it affect the local economy? Why are bakeries prohibited in neighborhoods while gas wells are permitted next to playgrounds? In his quest for answers Briggle meets people like Cathy McMullen. Her neighbors’ cows asphyxiated after drinking fracking fluids, and her orchard was razed to make way for a pipeline. Cathy did not consent to drilling, but those who profited lived far out of harm’s way.
Briggle's first instinct was to think about fracking—deeply. Drawing on philosophers from Socrates to Kant, but also on conversations with engineers, legislators, and industry representatives, he develops a simple theory to evaluate fracking: we should give those at risk to harm a stake in the decisions we make, and we should monitor for and correct any problems that arise. Finding this regulatory process short-circuited, with government and industry alike turning a blind eye to symptoms like earthquakes and nosebleeds, Briggle decides to take action.
Though our field philosopher is initially out of his element—joining fierce activists like "Texas Sharon," once called the "worst enemy" of the oil and gas industry—his story culminates in an underdog victory for Denton, now nationally recognized as a beacon for citizens' rights at the epicenter of the fracking revolution.
In beautifully narrated chapters, Briggle brings us to town hall debates and neighborhood meetings where citizens wrestle with issues few fully understand. Is fracking safe? How does it affect the local economy? Why are bakeries prohibited in neighborhoods while gas wells are permitted next to playgrounds? In his quest for answers Briggle meets people like Cathy McMullen. Her neighbors’ cows asphyxiated after drinking fracking fluids, and her orchard was razed to make way for a pipeline. Cathy did not consent to drilling, but those who profited lived far out of harm’s way.
Briggle's first instinct was to think about fracking—deeply. Drawing on philosophers from Socrates to Kant, but also on conversations with engineers, legislators, and industry representatives, he develops a simple theory to evaluate fracking: we should give those at risk to harm a stake in the decisions we make, and we should monitor for and correct any problems that arise. Finding this regulatory process short-circuited, with government and industry alike turning a blind eye to symptoms like earthquakes and nosebleeds, Briggle decides to take action.
Though our field philosopher is initially out of his element—joining fierce activists like "Texas Sharon," once called the "worst enemy" of the oil and gas industry—his story culminates in an underdog victory for Denton, now nationally recognized as a beacon for citizens' rights at the epicenter of the fracking revolution.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published October 19, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 22, 2016
Where's the rest of the story?! The book culminates in Denton's November 2014 ban on fracking; however, in May of 2015 governor Greg Abbott and the Texas legislature repealed the aforementioned ban. Now, considering the book wasn't published until late October of 2015, why does the author misleadingly tell a tale of one small town's "victory" over big oil and gas, when the ultimate outcome was anything but favorable?
In addition to being a citizen of Denton, I'm an unabashed anarchist who has nothing but contempt for corporate predation and government overreach. But you don't have to be a radical to acknowledge the state's enmity towards the democratic process, especially when their financial interests are threatened. In recognition of the fact that we have a repressive socioeconomic system imposed on us by corporate and political elites, any attempts to countervail their destructive undertakings should be predicated on the disclosure, not the omission, of crucial aspects of our story.
In addition to being a citizen of Denton, I'm an unabashed anarchist who has nothing but contempt for corporate predation and government overreach. But you don't have to be a radical to acknowledge the state's enmity towards the democratic process, especially when their financial interests are threatened. In recognition of the fact that we have a repressive socioeconomic system imposed on us by corporate and political elites, any attempts to countervail their destructive undertakings should be predicated on the disclosure, not the omission, of crucial aspects of our story.
December 6, 2015
This was an extremely disappointing reading experience. Like another reviewer stated, this is NOT the entire story! In fact, the most pertinent aspect of the Denton fracking issue isn't even mentioned anywhere in the book. The unfortunate reality is that despite the efforts of knowledgeable and concerned residents, fracking has not ceased in the North Texas town of Denton. So why on God's polluted earth did the author deceive people into thinking it's a story that demonstrates, "How One Texas Town Stood Up to Big Oil and Gas"?! Sure, they stood up, but they were knocked right back down when the governor of Texas passed a bill that banned their ban. The complete story would have included the utter disdain that politicians and oil companies have for democracy. Instead, we have a self-aggrandizing philosophy professor who rambles on about David having defeated Goliath. Sadly, Goliath is alive and oil well.
May 29, 2015
We hear lots about the environmental effects of fracking, but what about the impacts on our communities and our own health? Adam Briggle is a philosophy professor and the father of a young daughter. To him, being a field philosopher involves asking a ton of questions... about everything. When he begins to look at fracking with a philosopher's sensibilities, his only option is to become a fracktivist. "Not in MY backyard!" is a common saying, but when you read what he learns and imparts in this book, you'll find yourself joining in with the chant and hoping that fracking NEVER comes to your hometown.
April 10, 2016
I first heard of Briggle’s book by way of C-SPAN’s Book-TV. Having long been concerned about fracking, I was impressed with his oral presentation and ordered the book immediately. To his credit, he explores both sides of the issue—all throughout—the full spectrum of choices citizens have concerning the issue of fracking.
Philosopher Briggle opens with an epigraph from Goethe’s Faust, which I cannot possibly translate, so I offer up what two different auto-translate sources seem to do with it.
From the start Briggle, a philosophy professor at the University of North Texas in Denton, is trying to convey what his book will be about: an ancient struggle, which continues today, between those who have little power (David) to stand up against those who seem to possess it all (Godzilla).
His narrative, as near as I can judge, is part memoir, part science, part philosophy, and part sociopolitical. He sets it motion by relating how he first comes to know what fracking is. Pushing his son’s swing at Denton’s McKenna Park in 2009, he chats with a young mother, who matter-of-factly informs him that the area next to the park, open ranch land, is soon to have three new gas wells.
In some ways how else can a philosopher examine this situation except through the lens of his specialty? Such a lens offers a logical and sensible view, not often held by proponents of fracking.
In other words, hydraulic fracturing of regions deep within the earth for the purpose of sucking out energy in the form of gas is perfectly acceptable to oil and gas companies, no matter what the cost. Our children and their children, state the corporations, will have to figure out how to correct any mistakes we make, if any.
But Briggle’s book is also, as I said, part science. He walks us through the ugly steps of the fracking process. First, pieces of heavy equipment deface the land. Then millions of gallons of fresh water are mixed with toxic chemicals, forced back into the earth to shake loose the shale, and then disposed of once again by pumping it deeper into the earth once the process is complete—for now the water cannot be filtered and purified for reuse, because it has been so utterly polluted. Next, at certain times these toxic chemicals leak into the air, and if you live downwind, they can complicate, in the least, chronic breathing problems such as asthma, and at worst, after multiple exposures, cause more dire conditions. He provides proof of how the groundwater in Denton and the surrounding counties is being depleted, often with little or no remuneration to ANYONE. To the big companies the water is “free,” part of their ownership of the mineral rights to what lies below the soil which a family may have owned for generations. And I have mentioned neither the number of “earthquakes” that plague Oklahoma and North Texas nor the noise that pollutes 24/7, once the well is being constructed. Neither one of which is a minor consideration for urban life.
The sociopolitical aspect of this book may provide its most prominent strand, as Adam Briggle relates the struggle of Denton’s Drilling Awareness Group (DAG)—an amalgam of Democrats, Republicans, and Libertarians—who battle Godzilla to keep their city fracking free. The years-long crusade results in a referendum which appears on the ballot in November 2014. Briggle and his associates debate the issues with the Big Boys in every possible venue. Thugs make threatening phone calls. They are sneered at or spat upon by local gentry, who believe a ban on fracking, among other things, will cause Denton’s merchants to lose millions of dollars in revenue.
Close to the end of the ballot count, the numbers are 9,000 in favor of the ban on fracking and 6,000 against. When pro-bans are sure they’ve won the victory, there is much rejoicing on the part of those who have for many years sacrificed time, energy, and sleep. Briggle and his wife even spend the night in a hotel room, having been informed that their house might not be safe if the ban goes into effect.
In the acknowledgements, Briggle writes that immediately following the election, several oil and gas companies file lawsuits against the city of Denton. And Governor-elect Greg Abbott and his cronies have vile words for them, as well.
“I don’t know how things will turn out, but I do know that I have been educated and inspired by my journey as a field philosopher in Denton” (284), Briggle concludes, er, uh, philosophically.
On election day, Briggle monitors one of the polling stations for twelve hours to make sure there are no shenanigans by the opposition, and he speaks with a young man who fracks wells in West Texas. He wants to know why DAG wants a ban in the first place. When Briggle explains that the companies plan to frack within the city limits, the young man says, “‘They’re fracking in the city? That’s crazy’” (277).
From his mouth to . . . Godzilla’s ears. Adam Briggle’s book is a candid yet uplifting read! Get it. Read it. Give it to your friends. Seriously.
Philosopher Briggle opens with an epigraph from Goethe’s Faust, which I cannot possibly translate, so I offer up what two different auto-translate sources seem to do with it.
Daß ich erkenne was die Welt
Im Innersten zusammenhält
That I know what the world (Google Translator)
At the core holds together
The fact that I recognize what the world
In the most inner holds together (Reverso)
From the start Briggle, a philosophy professor at the University of North Texas in Denton, is trying to convey what his book will be about: an ancient struggle, which continues today, between those who have little power (David) to stand up against those who seem to possess it all (Godzilla).
His narrative, as near as I can judge, is part memoir, part science, part philosophy, and part sociopolitical. He sets it motion by relating how he first comes to know what fracking is. Pushing his son’s swing at Denton’s McKenna Park in 2009, he chats with a young mother, who matter-of-factly informs him that the area next to the park, open ranch land, is soon to have three new gas wells.
In some ways how else can a philosopher examine this situation except through the lens of his specialty? Such a lens offers a logical and sensible view, not often held by proponents of fracking.
“Fracking exemplifies the technological wager, by which I mean a gamble or even a faith that we can transform the world in the pursuit of narrowly defined goals and successfully manage the broader unintended consequences that result. In many ways, we are gambling on present innovations. I think that if we are to live with high technology we cannot avoid this wager. The question is whether we can establish conditions to make it a fair and reasonable bet. In the case of fracking, I will argue, these conditions are largely not in place” (3).
In other words, hydraulic fracturing of regions deep within the earth for the purpose of sucking out energy in the form of gas is perfectly acceptable to oil and gas companies, no matter what the cost. Our children and their children, state the corporations, will have to figure out how to correct any mistakes we make, if any.
But Briggle’s book is also, as I said, part science. He walks us through the ugly steps of the fracking process. First, pieces of heavy equipment deface the land. Then millions of gallons of fresh water are mixed with toxic chemicals, forced back into the earth to shake loose the shale, and then disposed of once again by pumping it deeper into the earth once the process is complete—for now the water cannot be filtered and purified for reuse, because it has been so utterly polluted. Next, at certain times these toxic chemicals leak into the air, and if you live downwind, they can complicate, in the least, chronic breathing problems such as asthma, and at worst, after multiple exposures, cause more dire conditions. He provides proof of how the groundwater in Denton and the surrounding counties is being depleted, often with little or no remuneration to ANYONE. To the big companies the water is “free,” part of their ownership of the mineral rights to what lies below the soil which a family may have owned for generations. And I have mentioned neither the number of “earthquakes” that plague Oklahoma and North Texas nor the noise that pollutes 24/7, once the well is being constructed. Neither one of which is a minor consideration for urban life.
The sociopolitical aspect of this book may provide its most prominent strand, as Adam Briggle relates the struggle of Denton’s Drilling Awareness Group (DAG)—an amalgam of Democrats, Republicans, and Libertarians—who battle Godzilla to keep their city fracking free. The years-long crusade results in a referendum which appears on the ballot in November 2014. Briggle and his associates debate the issues with the Big Boys in every possible venue. Thugs make threatening phone calls. They are sneered at or spat upon by local gentry, who believe a ban on fracking, among other things, will cause Denton’s merchants to lose millions of dollars in revenue.
Close to the end of the ballot count, the numbers are 9,000 in favor of the ban on fracking and 6,000 against. When pro-bans are sure they’ve won the victory, there is much rejoicing on the part of those who have for many years sacrificed time, energy, and sleep. Briggle and his wife even spend the night in a hotel room, having been informed that their house might not be safe if the ban goes into effect.
In the acknowledgements, Briggle writes that immediately following the election, several oil and gas companies file lawsuits against the city of Denton. And Governor-elect Greg Abbott and his cronies have vile words for them, as well.
“I don’t know how things will turn out, but I do know that I have been educated and inspired by my journey as a field philosopher in Denton” (284), Briggle concludes, er, uh, philosophically.
On election day, Briggle monitors one of the polling stations for twelve hours to make sure there are no shenanigans by the opposition, and he speaks with a young man who fracks wells in West Texas. He wants to know why DAG wants a ban in the first place. When Briggle explains that the companies plan to frack within the city limits, the young man says, “‘They’re fracking in the city? That’s crazy’” (277).
From his mouth to . . . Godzilla’s ears. Adam Briggle’s book is a candid yet uplifting read! Get it. Read it. Give it to your friends. Seriously.
August 2, 2025
Really good book for those wanting to read about grassroots campaigns and how to unite a diverse group of people behind a single issue. It took me a while to get through the first half of the book but I found the last part extremely riveting.
June 29, 2018
Briggle outlines the battle between the town of Denton and big oil and gas companies, trying to push local legislation to ban fracking within city limits. Much of his motivation is to improve the livability of the city and improve the health of residents. The nation is benefiting from the fracking of natural gas and transporting throughout the nation. On top of that, most of those that own the mineral rights of the land are not locals, so the city does not benefit much. However, this benefit to the nation comes at the cost of inconveniencing and possible health impacts to locals living near wells. Briggle works with many locals to attempt to have the city council accept and implement the legislation, which was eventually pushed to be decided through an election by the city. They win!
The book was written well, but it was not what I was expecting. I wanted to know more about the history and/or science behind fracking, which was briefly mentioned. If I'd known more, I probably would not have read this book. I'd recommend this to people interested in knowing how this city fought against big companies for legislation to protect the local citizens.
The book was written well, but it was not what I was expecting. I wanted to know more about the history and/or science behind fracking, which was briefly mentioned. If I'd known more, I probably would not have read this book. I'd recommend this to people interested in knowing how this city fought against big companies for legislation to protect the local citizens.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2017
Great introductory view of fracking, providing basic science, political, community and environmental impacts, as well as the main arguments for both sides of the debate surrounding this technology. I particularly enjoyed the philosophical perspective of the book and thought that it gave a different and valid framing to the issues, particularly with the play between precautionary and proactionary viewpoints toward fracking and the inherent issues with each. It did seem to drag on in some spots with large discussions of philosophical teachings/background that I think were a stretch at times for relevancy to the overall theme. But overall, I enjoyed this book.
February 24, 2017
This was an audiobook. There was an arrogance to this book that was a little hard to listen too. That said, the content was solid. I recommend everyone against fracking, sand harvesting, pipelines under watersheds, the oil industry, and environmental recklessness should read this book. The American people need to stand up together and fight Goliath.
May 17, 2019
The story of Denton is a great story, and the book obviously includes some really good facts on fracking. The highpoint, however, was the author philosophizing on being a philosopher and their role in modern society. A nice read for anyone interested in fracking or what it means to be a philosopher.
August 20, 2017
Not exactly what I was looking for, but some interesting ideas, nonetheless.
July 30, 2021
Interesting topic, but not one that kept me interested enough. Struggled to get through this
June 4, 2023
i enjoyed this perspective on local action. briggle’s analysis of the ethics of fracking also proved to be intriguing. however, the writing was…average. i suppose i expected more from an academic.
November 26, 2015
Full of potential in the title, falls short of reality
As someone who took philosophy classes as part of an undergraduate major and minor, and in graduate school, and who's familiar with the idea of "field philosophy," I was very much looking forward to this book when I saw it.
That's doubly true as someone who is an environmentalist, who has serious concerns about fracking, and who used to live in various locations in and around the DFW Metroplex, and has reported as a journalist on gas well permitting at edges of the Barnett Shale.
Unfortunately, in various ways, the reality of the book fell short of the title on both the issue of field philosophy in general, and on the issue of fracking.
On the philosophy side, he could have brought more to bear on ethics, such as issues of civil disobedience as discussed, and even espoused by, philosophers in the past. He probably also could have had more of a philosophical look at things like cost-benefit analysis, as well as related issues such as whether or not some things can even be priced, and from there gone into issues of political and economic philosophy.
There are useful tools to apply to field philosophy in general in this book. However, Briggle wasn't writing about field philosophy in general, he was writing about field philosophy as applied to a very specific issue.
On the activism side, his lateness to accept that a fracking ban, not just greater control, as being what Denton needed, is a bit disconcerting. I don't know if he was trying to "fit in" with Denton, even though he'd clearly already lived there, and contra one reviewer on Amazon, is a Denton resident and a part of Denton just as much as other Denton residents, or he generally has that non-confrontational of a personality, or what.
But, at the point the Denton City Council rejected even moderately tighter controls on fracking by a 6-1 vote, it should have been clear what was needed next.
Shortcomings on just one of the two sides of the coin wouldn't have been too serious, and I would have given the book a fourth star. But, the shortcomings on both sides cost a second star.
As someone who took philosophy classes as part of an undergraduate major and minor, and in graduate school, and who's familiar with the idea of "field philosophy," I was very much looking forward to this book when I saw it.
That's doubly true as someone who is an environmentalist, who has serious concerns about fracking, and who used to live in various locations in and around the DFW Metroplex, and has reported as a journalist on gas well permitting at edges of the Barnett Shale.
Unfortunately, in various ways, the reality of the book fell short of the title on both the issue of field philosophy in general, and on the issue of fracking.
On the philosophy side, he could have brought more to bear on ethics, such as issues of civil disobedience as discussed, and even espoused by, philosophers in the past. He probably also could have had more of a philosophical look at things like cost-benefit analysis, as well as related issues such as whether or not some things can even be priced, and from there gone into issues of political and economic philosophy.
There are useful tools to apply to field philosophy in general in this book. However, Briggle wasn't writing about field philosophy in general, he was writing about field philosophy as applied to a very specific issue.
On the activism side, his lateness to accept that a fracking ban, not just greater control, as being what Denton needed, is a bit disconcerting. I don't know if he was trying to "fit in" with Denton, even though he'd clearly already lived there, and contra one reviewer on Amazon, is a Denton resident and a part of Denton just as much as other Denton residents, or he generally has that non-confrontational of a personality, or what.
But, at the point the Denton City Council rejected even moderately tighter controls on fracking by a 6-1 vote, it should have been clear what was needed next.
Shortcomings on just one of the two sides of the coin wouldn't have been too serious, and I would have given the book a fourth star. But, the shortcomings on both sides cost a second star.
August 15, 2016
A Philosophy professor and other community activists work to get fracking banned in their town. More a story of fighting dopey zoning issues on a local level than it is about the overall issue of fracking itself. Is also a bit too self-congratulatory: they stand firm, they fight the good fight, they triumph over 'BIG OIL', and the author does all this while riding his bike to meetings (he never fails to mention that - he doesn't just go to a meeting he bikes there - and, no, I have nothing against bikers, I'm one myself) while caring for small children. And while he fights this evil after knowingly moving to a town that requires nine months per year of air conditioning at the same time he distracts his (very) young children with electronic devices, well at least he feels guilty about it.
Look, this isn't a bad book, just don't go in expecting a thorough examination of the positives and negatives of fracking. This is clearly a story about a local fight where the laws governing the issue predate the issue itself and where population increases in the area meant that the residents were, in some cases, encroaching on the frackers as much as the other way around.
Look, this isn't a bad book, just don't go in expecting a thorough examination of the positives and negatives of fracking. This is clearly a story about a local fight where the laws governing the issue predate the issue itself and where population increases in the area meant that the residents were, in some cases, encroaching on the frackers as much as the other way around.
June 13, 2016
I liked it, but it wasn't quite as engaging as I was hoping it would be. Part of me wishes it had been written by a journalist, yet it was interesting to watch a philosopher challenge himself. I learned a little bit about philosophy along the way, and I continued the confirmation that this is not a democracy in which we live, although the little guy, actual citizens, can sometimes organize themselves to defeat the real power, giant corporations and similar interests, but those wins take a huge effort and are very small. Sure, Denton managed to stop fracking in its city limits, but what about all the other places that are experiencing things that put citizens' health and safety at risk, whether it's fracking or bottled water or chemical plants....etc.
February 7, 2016
Interesting read, from several perspectives: understanding the practice and business of fracking, the governance environment affecting oil and gas in Texas, the relationship of political action to philosophical thought, the insider view of a political campaign. The author created an engaging read (though I confess, it was not always easy to follow along with the philosophical aspects). One thing I am wondering, Briggle mentions on several occasions that he played hockey...as an avid player myself, I am wondering whether he still plays, and where he played before ...But this is obviously no knock against the book!
May 15, 2016
Recommended. A classic David vs. Goliath story, this time real life. Briggle uses a combination of science and stories of fracking in and around Denton to create a readable book that covers the various sides of this complex topic.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews