One City: A Declaration of Interdependence [Paperback]

Ethan Nichtern (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 26, 2007

Ethan Nichtern, the charismatic and creative force behind New York's upstart Interdependence Project is your guide to the beauty that is everywhere in the urban jungle. There may be no greater setting for exploring the great truth of interdependence that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. expounded. With pop-culture savvy, humor, and literary liveliness, One City melds Dr. King’s message with modern Buddhist wisdom to explain how we might best live together — no matter who we are, and no matter where.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“The best introduction to Buddhism for young people. My university students love it.”—David Loy, author of Money Sex War Karma

"Destined to be a modern spiritual classic."—Noah Levine, author of Dharma Punx and Against the Stream

"A user-friendly guide to living a more meaningful life. I will come back to these words again and again."—Simran Sethi, NBC News Environmental Correspondent

"Challenges us to go deeper than just caring about 'the world,' and shares a vision for how to be accountable." —think.mtv.com

"Resonant and refreshing." —The American Prospect

“Nichtern’s passion for life, in particular modern city life, is infectious and his care and concern for the bigger picture and the craziness at large in our world make for a compelling vision. One to watch!” —WildMind.org

“Fresh and compelling: Buddhism 3.0 meets the global consciousness movement.”—Daniel Goleman, author of Social Intelligence

"A fun and fascinating look at who we are, who we can be, and how every individual can make a difference."—This Week in New York

"Nichtern speaks to us with keen, compassionate perception. This is your story and mine, alive and compelling."—Sharon Salzberg, author of Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness

"A modern urban consumer psychological survival guide." —Brick Window

"Crackles with humor and fresh insight."—Tricycle

“If you're interested in learning more about yourself, how you can relate better to others and to the world and how you can contribute to making the world a better place, I recommend the book." —TheBeautifulHeresy.com

"One City is a guide to poking your head above water and breathing fresh, clear air for the first time in maybe a while."—JerryKolber.com

"A great read for anyone looking for practical suggestions on how to leave the world in a better state than when we found it.” —Turning Wheel

"A trenchant and engaging call to an expanded awareness. Buddhism 3.0 meets the global consciousness movement.” — Daniel Goleman, author Social Intelligence
"One City is your story and mine, alive and compelling."-Sharon Salzberg, author of Lovingkindness, The Revolutionary Art of Happiness
"This is the ancient wisdom of Buddhism made relevant for people who can watch TV while listening to their iPod and IM-ing friends."-Susan Piver, author of How Not to Be Afraid of Your Own Life
"This book is great. It should reach the next generation in the same way that classics by Jack Kornfield and Ram Dass reached mine."-State Senator Eric Schneiderman (New York)
"At age 29, Nichtern is keenly aware of the consumer wallpaper of our everyday lives. We may be awash in the materialism that feeds desire, says Nichtern, but interdependence makes the planet one city."--Shambhala Sun

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Wisdom Publications (July 26, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0861715160
• ISBN-13: 978-0861715169
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.5 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #197,930 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ethan Nichtern is a Shastri, a senior teacher, in the Shambhala
tradition. At 33, he is the youngest senior teacher in the global
tradition. He is the author of the novel, Your Emoticons Won't Save You,
and the nonfiction book, One City: A Declaration of Interdependence. He
is also the founding director of The Interdependence Project, an
organization dedicated to Buddhist-inspired meditation and psychology,
transformational activism, mindful arts, and meaningful media. He
teaches and lectures around the world and is based in New York City.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Well-written, accessible and timely August 7, 2007

By A reader

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Nichtern does a great job examining the principle of interdependent existence at length, expertly weaving in illustrative personal anecdotes. He also addresses contemporary cultural, political and economic currents in context. It's a well-written and timely addition to a vital conversation.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fast-paced, succinct and intelligent September 12, 2007

By princesstonton

Format:Paperback

A great, well-written and accessible book. As someone who appreciates good writing, I have to say that the segues are particularly well done. This accounts for the incredibly fluid and logical flow as the book transitions from one topic to the next.

The topics themselves can be abstract and hard to grasp, but Ethan's exploration and explanation of them make it almost effortless to understand. He uses many concrete, modern day issues and examples to illustrate age-old concepts that could easily have been written out in a vague, fortune-cookie style way. It is very easy to relate to the ideas presented in his book.

It's a fast read and I highly recommend it!

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A gentle, heartfelt invitation... September 9, 2007

By Anonymous

Format:Paperback

I finished this book yesterday and promptly went out and bought several more copies to give to non-Buddhist friends and family. Ethan Nichtern provides a warm, human, accessible perspective on how to live an engaged, connected life. The book is infused with wisdom but never preachy or arrogant. Nichtern simply shares his own experiences and observations, along with ideas from Buddhism and Buddhist teachers, in a way that invites the reader to take whatever resonates and to find his or her own way of applying it. I recommend this book for anyone interested in Buddhism, being socially aware and responsible, or just feeling more grounded and engaged in life and his or her community. I read it slowly to savor it, was sad when it was over, and know I'll read it many more times.