Des Wilson

Des Wilson is a New Zealand-born British social activist, campaigner, and author known for establishing the homeless charity Shelter in 1966 and later serving as its director. His activism and writing have focused on social justice issues including housing reform, civil liberties, and environmental protection. Wilson's literary work includes both non-fiction books examining political and social issues, as well as novels. His 1970 book "I Know It Was the Place's Fault" documented the housing crisis in Britain, while later works like "The Lead Scandal" (1983) investigated environmental hazards. During the 1980s and 1990s, Wilson took on leadership roles in various campaign organizations, including chairmanship of Friends of the Earth and presidency of the Liberal Party. These experiences informed his 1994 book "Against the Odds," which explored the dynamics of pressure group campaigns. Beyond social activism, Wilson developed a passion for poker and wrote several books about the game, including "Swimming with the Devilfish" (2006) and "Playing With Fire" (2008). His writing in this area combined strategic analysis with personal narratives from the professional poker circuit.

Reader reviews of Des Wilson's works focus primarily on his poker books and social activism texts. What Readers Liked: - Clear, accessible explanations of poker strategy in "Swimming with the Devilfish" - Personal stories and behind-the-scenes insights about professional poker players - Detailed research and documentation in his social issue books, particularly "The Lead Scandal" - Direct, journalistic writing style that presents evidence straightforwardly What Readers Disliked: - Some found his poker books too basic for advanced players - Social activism books described as "dry" in sections - Limited personal reflection in campaign memoirs Ratings & Reviews: - "Swimming with the Devilfish" averages 3.8/5 on Goodreads (42 ratings) - "Playing with Fire" holds 3.6/5 on Amazon UK (12 reviews) - Limited review data available for his earlier social activism books - Most poker book reviews come from recreational players rather than professionals Note: Review data is limited for many of Wilson's older works on social issues, with more reader feedback available for his poker-related titles from the 2000s.

Against the Odds (1962) A memoir detailing Wilson's experiences as a young New Zealand journalist moving to Britain and becoming involved in social activism.

I Know It Was the Place (1971) Chronicles the founding and early years of Shelter, the UK housing charity, and the challenges of addressing homelessness.

The Lead Scandal (1983) Documents the campaign against lead in petrol and its effects on public health in Britain.

The Battle for Safer Food (1984) Examines food industry practices and regulatory oversight in Britain during the early 1980s.

The Politics of Water (1985) Analyzes water privatization in the UK and its impact on public services and environmental protection.

Living with Risk (1987) Explores various environmental and health risks faced by British society in the late twentieth century.

Power to the People (1991) Details the development of consumer advocacy movements in post-war Britain.

Campaign! (1995) Provides step-by-step guidance on organizing and running social advocacy campaigns based on Wilson's activism experience.

Tony Cohan writes international non-fiction about social justice and activism, with works examining protest movements and grassroots organizing. His narrative style and focus on documenting real-world advocacy parallels Wilson's approach to social issues.

Christopher Merrett chronicles the history of civil rights and social movements in Britain during the late 20th century. His detailed research into housing rights and public advocacy campaigns covers similar territory to Wilson's work.

George Monbiot produces investigative writing about environmental and social reform, with particular attention to corporate accountability and citizen action. His books document campaign strategies and movement building in ways that mirror Wilson's tactical analyses.

David Bornstein focuses on social entrepreneurship and change-making through institutional channels and organized citizen efforts. His coverage of successful reform movements and practical approaches to advocacy shares common ground with Wilson's strategic perspective.

Jonathan Kozol writes about education and social inequality through direct observation and participant accounts. His documentation of systemic problems and grassroots solutions follows similar methods to Wilson's investigative work.