The Final Empire: The Collapse of Civilization and the Seed of the Future (Paperback)

~ William H. Kotke (Author)
Key Phrases: forest farming, natural human culture, pit house people, The Final Empire, New York, New Mexico (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In spite of its tough message, there is much compassion and humanity in The Final Empire. Right away as you begin to read this work, you sense increasingly the grand perspective in Kötke's words. He is not speaking of anarchy. He is offering vital common sense. It's just that his meaning is so unavoidably political. And so much against what we have been taught all our lives: The materialistic values of civilization teach us that the accumulation of wealth is progress. The material wealth of the civilization is derived from the death of the earth, the soils, the forests, the fish stocks, the 'free resources' of flora and fauna. The ultimate end of this is for all human species to live in giant parasitical cities of cement and metal while surrounded by deserts of exhausted soils. The simple polar opposites are: the richness and wealth of the natural life of earth versus the material wealth of people living out their lives in artificial environments. This amounts to a direct challenge to humankind. A demand for radical change. A re-envisioning of our part in the community of life and the precepts of individuality. And Mr. Kötke provides a strong argument for this case. He traces the environmental scars of civilization through the ages. Empire after empire, desertification of the top soil winds its way around the globe in an erosive helix from China to India to Mesopotamia to Italy to North America. As radical as it may seem at first glance, The Final Empire is a necessary and sensible primer for the recovery of the planet. It blends a critical statistical analysis of our deteriorating environment with a positivism of hope for a post-empire age and a new whole-human relation to the living community of Earth. Dan Armstrong, Author of the Novels, Prairie Fire and Taming the Dragon --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Author Wm. H. K¿tke is widely traveled and published. His most recent book, prior to Planet Garden, was the underground classic, The Final Empire: The Collapse of Civilization and the Seed of the Future.He has been a journalist, a radio script writer, a pamphleteer, a novelist, an essayist, and has had many articles published in periodicals. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 401 pages
• Publisher: Arrow Point Pr; 1st edition (January 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0963378457
• ISBN-13: 978-0963378453
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,121,097 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Prophetic, Inspired, Sophisticated, and Indigenous , September 14, 2007

By	George Washington "redwood" (Cherry Tree Junction, UTAH) - See all my reviews

This is an incredibly well documented and prophetic book. Prophetic in the sense that when I first read it over ten years ago, I was skeptical of many predictions. They have all turned out to come true. This book is indigenous and inspiring in the sense that it offers practical earth friendly strategies that affirm the possibility that man is part OF nature, not apart FROM it. Such a realization is necessary for the human being to continue to be participate in life in the future.

Not watered down, but rather direct to the point. Well written! Real history and facts, vitally relevant, and hence empowering! Good medicine for all earthlings. A powerful gift! Thanks Bill! We love you!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Learn why civilizations eventually collapse!, December 28, 2001

By	Brian Setzler (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews

I read this book in the early 90's and am again trying to locate a copy. This was an excellently researched book about early civilizations and their eventual collapse. I would recommend the book to anyone interested in this topic.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome, March 3, 2008

By	Ryan Kronewitter - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've read many of the anti civ books..but this one tops them all in terms of depth and scope..great read!