Asking for the Earth: Waking Up to the Spiritual/Ecological Crisis [Paperback]

James George (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1995

Asking for the Earth was first released in 1995 after the author led the international mission to Kuwait to assess damages from Operation Desert Storm. This book is even more timely today as we face the possibility of further warfare and destruction. James George presents the convincing argument that our planet is suffering from twin crises, ecological and spiritual, with a common source in our deep separation from nature and from each other. Inspired by the teachings of Gurdjieff, Thomas Merton, Tibetan Buddhism, and other contemplative traditions, the author shows that to avoid disaster we must wed scientific truth to an awakening of consciousness and acceptance of responsibility.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

James George is the retired Canadian ambassador to India, Sri Lanka, and Iran. He has a long-standing record of service concerning environmental issues. A founder of the Threshold Foundation and president of the Sadat Peace Foundation, he led the international mission to Kuwait and the Persian Gulf to assess post-war environmental damage. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 199 pages
• Publisher: Element Books Ltd (March 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1852306211
• ISBN-13: 978-1852306212
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,944,923 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

In his long life as naval historian, Canadian ambassador, environmentalist and author, James George has known a number of remarkable people and has lived in some of the world's most interesting countries, such as Sri Lanka, Greece, India, and Iran. The Dalai Lama calls him 'my old friend.' Chogyam Trungpa called him 'a wise and benevolent man, an ideal statesman.' His two books ask humanity to wake up to our true spiritual natures and to our true stewardship of the Earth. He lives with his wife in Toronto, where he was born.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Based In Fact And Experience, September 8, 2006

By 

Lee "oregonslee" (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: ASKING FOR THE EARTH: Waking Up to the Spiritual/Ecological Crisis (Paperback)

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. George in a closed setting with several colleagues. He obviously possessed an inner rectitude and calm that is absent in many of our frenzied lives. Please disregard the callous and stupid comments of R. Sequin aka "drrhs108 with respect to Mr. George's character and to the quality of the writing. The work is factual and the characters are all real participants in the events portrayed. The writing style reflects the character of the author and is calm, steady and objective. These are essential traits for an ambassador to play successfully on the world stage for so many years. The work is sensitive, stays on topic and makes a really good read.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Top five, April 23, 2007

By 

Camilla Kristi Fadum - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: ASKING FOR THE EARTH: Waking Up to the Spiritual/Ecological Crisis (Paperback)

Just so wonderfully fundamental about important things, when all others seem to be superficial - Al Gore is getting there!
Camilla Fadum, Norway

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Asking for the Earth: Waking up to the Spiritual/Ecological crisis, December 13, 2005

By 

Kenneth E. Klonsky - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: ASKING FOR THE EARTH: Waking Up to the Spiritual/Ecological Crisis (Paperback)

This book is incisive, understandable, and ultimately moving. Ambassador James George is uniqely qualified to deal with the problem of the divorce of science from spirituality. He was a personal friend of Thomas Merton, J. Krishnamurti, and continues to have a close relationship with the Dalai Lama. The message of Asking for the Earth is one of hope, despite the self-destructive tendencies that humanity has demonstrated until now. Brilliant work.