The Ten Minute Activist: Easy Ways to Take Back the Planet [Paperback]

The Mission Collective (Author), M Ryan Hess (Editor), Lloyd Dangle (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 29, 2006

The planet is in trouble. Global warming, record-breaking natural disasters, 9/11, two hotly contested presidential elections, and a war abroad has left many Americans feeling uneasy with the state of our own lives and the security of the planet. We know that life cannot be sustained at the current rate of consumption, yet it is easy to succumb to helplessness and apathy. But if making a difference only required ten minutes of our time a day, how many more people would try to make a difference? Written in an edgy, engaging style, The Ten Minute Activist, shows how even the busiest person can make a difference. From buying organic milk and bison to switching from free-trade to fair trade; from choosing a Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) retirement plan to car-pooling with colleagues, The Mission Collective has compiled the most up-to-date information on energy conservation, global warming, wildlife preservation, community building, spiritual awareness and political action. The Ten Minute Activist informs and inspires with easy acts that can truly have an impact if engaged en masse.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The Mission Collective is a group of five independent writers and activists who work and live in the Bay Area.

Illustrator Lloyd Dangle has been writing and drawing the widely sundicated "Troubletown" for alternative weeklies since 1998. His illustration for the Airborne package is highly recognized and put the product on the map.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Nation Books (December 29, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560259701
• ISBN-13: 978-1560259701
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,122,091 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ten Minute Activist Provides Easy Ideas and Motivation to Improve Planet and Personal Life, March 6, 2007

By 

Joseph Brinker (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Ten Minute Activist: Easy Ways to Take Back the Planet (Paperback)

This book should go a long way towards getting young people interested in doing small things to help our planet. Historically the young have played a vital role in waking our society up to the changes we need to make, but this current young generation seems to be napping. This book is a fun way to wake them up.

My only criticism is that the writers reveal possibly too much of a Mission (the lefty, counterculture SF neighborhood) bias in focusing repeatedly on certain left-wing crusades while failing to criticize other serious, globe damaging habits that strike a bit too close to home. For example, they focus on buying only fair trade coffee and chocolate, because the mainstream versions of both of those products are exploitative, yet they make no mention of the serious trouble and oppression inflicted on many developing countries, not to mention our own communities, by the illegal trade in crystal meth, heroin and cocaine, all of which find many buyers in The Mission. With a less controversial drug like marihuana, perhaps they could have given tips on assuring that consumers assure that their sources are small time, personal growers and not in any way engaged in violence or the trade of more damaging and addictive drugs.

The important point is The Mission Collective has written an entertainingly accessible book full of relatively easy ways to improve our planet. It is sure to play to a younger, politically interested audience, and may motivate the next generation to take action. The illustrations fit perfectly. Each chapter is short and sweet. And every reader should walk away with at least a handful of ideas to make their lives and our planet a little more livable. Great job!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, September 4, 2007

By 

nettie hartsock "nettie" (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ten Minute Activist: Easy Ways to Take Back the Planet (Paperback)

This book should be highlighted everywhere in terms of the great and easy ways it inspires one to take back the planet.

Lloyd Dangle has another great book out called "Troubletown Told You So: Comics that Could've Saved Us From this Mess" on Amazon and his illustrations in both books are compelling.

5.0 out of 5 stars A no frills, no nonesense book EVERYONE should read, August 27, 2008

By 

Claudia Di Lemme - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Ten Minute Activist: Easy Ways to Take Back the Planet (Paperback)

Any and everyone who is even slightly unsettled by the current state of our planet, should take a moment to read this book!

Without being stuffy or didactic, this book is a refreshingly candid global introspect, with pertinent and simple guidelines for improving the world we live in, 10 minutes at a time. The writing is straightforward and edgy - an easy, informative and pleasant read from beginning to end.

We are f***ing up our planet in a major way, people. Damage has been done, and we only have a small window of hope in undoing the undoing. It's time to wake up. We need to act fast and act NOW. This can be done easily, intelligently and effectively, and it doesnt require any major, radical life-chages. Everyone CAN and is obligated to do his/her part.

Give the book a read - it's well worth it.