'One of the less expected pleasures of this smartly written memoir is the relating of his rollicking younger years on the way to academic respectability.' – Andrea Graves, The Listener
'It's a really good read... It's amazing the jobs he's done.' – Harry Broad, RNZ Nine to Noon
'It's an engaging book particularly around political deceit and deception, irrespective of which side you're on.' – Tony Orman, Top South Farming Monthly
‘Mike Joy says things that many people agree with. Others do not. He is controversial. This has, at times, caused him considerable difficulty. But he has consistently argued his case and provided evidence for his conclusions. I wish more academics who have important things to say would follow his lead.’ – Steve Maharey, Vice-Chancellor of Massey University (2008–17)
'Mike Joy’s new memoir, The Fight for Freshwater, recounts the patient and painstaking efforts of field work and data collection. And when the science is done and useful knowledge is at hand, the frustration and heartbreak as those in positions of power and influence choose not to act on it.' – Gord Stewart, Taking the Long View
'A memoir from a tireless environmental activist and scientist.' – The Spinoff
'Mike Joy is a heroic figure, even if he wouldn’t be comfortable with that description. But he’s also a person, who tells the story of his first 64 years in a tightly-written 200 pages. The Fight for Freshwater: A Memoir is a good read whether or not you care about the destruction of Aotearoa’s waterways and ecosystems, the trampling of Te Taiao. If you do care about those things, it’s an even better read.' – Tim Jones, Takahē
'Mike Joy floats legal action over nitrate pollution 'ecocide',' – David Williams, Newsroom
'Although the book’s obvious audience is those who align themselves with Joy’s public pronouncements, I’d also recommend it to those who see him as a dangerous subversive. They might be surprised.' – David Barnes, Otago Daily Times
'There’s a sort of socratic love that shines through [The Fight for Freshwater], a serving of adoration heaped equally on his own mentors. But for every ounce of love, there’s a pound of frustration.' – Fox Meyer, Newsroom
'Dr Mike Joy has had an untypical career. Before deciding to study freshwater ecology in his mid-30s, he worked as a farmhand, truck driver, mechanic and even had a stint as an agent in the Security Intelligence Service (SIS). The 64-year-old has written it all down in his memoir, The Fight For Freshwater - the title referring to his work cataloguing the increasingly poor state of our rivers and streams, and his efforts to publicise it.' – Radio New Zealand
'Freshwater ecologist Mike Joy is a controversial figure who says things some people don't want to hear. He came to academia late, after time spent as a mechanic, milkman, truck driver, agent with the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service, and farm hand. Mike's now written a book about his life, and the research that has turned him into an environmental activist.' – Radio New Zealand
'The fight is not just for your rivers and trout fishing but also that of your children and grandchildren, so go get a copy of Mike Joy’s book. This courageous guy needs your support. Highly recommended.' – Tony Orman, NZFFA
Read 'Gaps in reporting of nitrogen fertiliser use on farms leaves an incomplete picture of impacts on water quality', Mike Joy and Megan Cornforth-Camden, The Conversation
Read 'Incident at Ōroua River: The story behind Mike Joy’s ‘freshwater radicalisation’ in The Spinoff
See 'Mike Joy: The Fight for Freshwater, drawings from a book launch', Tara Black, Tara Comics
