Like a Tree: How Trees, Women, and Tree People Can Save the Planet [Hardcover]

Jean Shinoda Bolen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2011

Like a Tree grew out of bestselling author Jean Bolen's practice of walking among tall trees and mourning the loss of a Monterey pine that was cut down in her neighborhood.

The book will appeal most to people who realize that they are "tree people." It is poetic, educational, inspirational, spiritual, and down to earth, covering the subject of trees from anatomy and physiology to trees as archetypal and sacred symbols.

It is also a strong and positive call to ecological activism, with stories of the organizations and "tree people" who are trying to save our forests and the planet: Greenpeace's Kleercut campaign to save the Boreal Forest, Wangari Maathai's Greenbelt Movement, Julia Butterfly Hill's campaign to save a California Redwood. Bolen offers a unique vision based on metaphysics, psychology, mythology, and global gender politics. She writes eloquently about deforestation, global warming, and overpopulation, as well as the work of Amnesty International and the UN Commission on the Status of Women.

The publisher will donate a tree for every book sold.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Read Jean Shinoda Bolen's Like a Tree, and you will never again see one without knowing it has a novel inside, it's supporting your life, and it's more spiritual than any church, temple or mosque. Like a Tree is the rare book that not only informs, but offers a larger consciousness of life itself." -Gloria Steinem

"I'll always remember the sadness I felt several years ago when I drove my little girl to her first day of the new school year, and saw that the huge tree that had always welcomed us as we entered the driveway in front of the school was gone. Upon inquiring about what happened, I was told that the tree had been removed to make way for a new sports field. I couldn't believe how sad I was, or how little my sadness seemed to be shared by other people at the school. It was then that I realized what a profound shift in worldview is necessary in order for us to save the planet. I applaud everyone--including the brilliant and glorious Jean Shinoda Bolen--for helping us make the shift. Bravo, Jean. You make us feel it." -Marianne Williamson

"In this book Jean Bolen expresses the essence of our deep connection to and inseparability from trees. Trees have stood by us humans always; it is the least we can do to protect and save and honor them now. Bolen's thoughts and suggestions for moving forward will, as always, help us see and feel how this might be done. This is a conversation with the Tree tribe not to be missed or dismissed." -Alice Walker



"We shouldn't simply be alarmed by what's happening to our forests, and our other fellow creatures. We should feel sick to our soul. And in this, as Jean Bolen says, women are taking the lead and showing, all over the world, that 'ordinary people' can make a difference--and that if they don't, nobody else will. Altogether, an excellent and timely book." -Colin Tudge, biologist and author of The Tree: A Natural History of What Trees Are, How They Live, and Why They Matter

About the Author

Jean Shinoda Bolen, M.D. is a psychiatrist, Jungian analyst in private practice, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center, and an internationally known lecturer. She is the author of numerous books including Goddesses in Everywoman, Urgent Message from Mother: Gather the Women and Save the World, Crones Don't Whine and The Millionth Circle. Visit her at jeanbolen.com.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 236 pages
• Publisher: Conari Press (April 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573244880
• ISBN-13: 978-1573244886
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.9 x 7.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #670,880 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jean Shinoda Bolen, M. D, is a psychiatrist, Jungian analyst, and an internationally known author and speaker. She is the author of The Tao of Psychology, Goddesses in Everywoman, Gods in Everyman, Ring of Power, Crossing to Avalon, Close to the Bone, The Millionth Circle, Goddesses in Older Women, Crones Don't Whine, Urgent Message from Mother, and Like a Tree with over eighty foreign translations. She is a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and a former clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of California at San Francisco, a past board member of the Ms. Foundation for Women and the International Transpersonal Association. She was a recipient of the Institute for Health and Healing's "Pioneers in Art, Science, and the Soul of Healing Award", and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She was in two acclaimed documentaries, the Academy-Award winning anti-nuclear proliferation film Women--For America, For the World, and the Canadian Film Board's Goddess Remembered. The Millionth Circle Initiative (www.millonthcircle.org)was inspired by her book and led to her involvement at the UN. She is an advocate for a UN 5th World Conference on Women (www.5wcw.org), which was supported by the Secretary General and the President of the General Assembly on March 8, 2012. Her website is www.jeanbolen.com.

Event schedule: http://www.jeanshinodabolen.com/schedule.html
Most current and past newsletters: http://www.jeanshinodabolen.com/newsletters/index.html

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Like a Tree: How Trees, Women, and Tree People Can Save the Planet May 1, 2011

By North Country Gayle

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

What a great book. Jean Shinoda Bolen does an excellent job of connecting the dots between respect for trees and the survival of the planet. She, like many of us, is clearly a Tree Person.

This book provides not only a basic understanding of the life processes of various species of trees, but also stories that enhance and enrich my understanding of what I've always felt about trees in general, and a special few in particular. I, like many others, had a special tree under which I sought solace as a child. As an adult trees help anchor me to the natural world, as well as the spiritual world. The author illuminates and validates the magnetic bond between trees and humans. And she clearly illustrates the urgency of protecting trees in order to preserve our place on this beautiful planet.

The book was informative and delightfully readable.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Live Saving for Mother Earth October 6, 2011

By C. Ann Smith

Format:Hardcover

Dr. Jean Shinoda Bolen has written a book that will instill in the hearts and minds of readers the motivation needed to become preservationists of trees, land, water, air; the basic elements need for our lives. Her book is a wonderful mixture of both extensive research about trees and compelling stories so that it will speak to every reader and inspire them to become a Tree Person and to recruit more and more to be the same. Thank you Jean for writing this important book that will help us to save our planet. Namaste!!! Ann Smith

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The Value of Trees April 14, 2012

By lovetodream

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Just as trees have deep roots down into the earth, so must we be rooted and have a strong connection to the earth. We must respect trees and treat them kindly. They have served Mother Earth for millions of years by giving us protection from the hot sun. They are here for us to learn valuable lessons and just by sitting on the ground next to a tree we can receive a message if we listen carefully. Wrap your arms around a tree and feel its vibration as it appreciates the love we are showing it. In our lives we must stand tall like a tree. Feel firmly rooted in the ground and do not waver. Trees can be like people but please show respect for God's creation of trees is so glorious.