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The Better World Handbook : From Good Intentions to Everyday Actions
 
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The Better World Handbook : From Good Intentions to Everyday Actions [Paperback]

Ellis Jones (Author), Ross Haenfler (Author), Brett Johnson (Author), Brian Klocke (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)


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The Better World Handbook: Small Changes That Make A Big Difference The Better World Handbook: Small Changes That Make A Big Difference 4.6 out of 5 stars (10)
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Book Description

October 1, 2001 0865714428 978-0865714427

It would be a perfect world if everyone could quit their jobs and devote themselves fully to the causes they believed in. Instead, The Better World Handbook shows caring, but busy people how to live out their progressive values and have a life! The principle behind this engaging guide is to incorporate everyday activism into even the most mundane areas of our lives-like grocery shopping, banking, eating, reading the newspaper, and working.

The book begins with a concise summary of our society's most pressing problems that lead directly to seven foundations necessary for building a better world: economic fairness, comprehensive peace, ecological sustainability, deep democracy, social justice, a culture of simplicity, and revitalized community. Subsequent chapters are organized around intuitive topics such as Food, Money, Transportation, Work, and Media, focusing on activities that support the seven foundations for a better world. A purchase can allow a locally owned business to thrive; money invested in the right bank can create opportunities for poor communities; a vacation can contribute to preserving wilderness areas; tuning-in to public and alternative media can put readers back in control of their thoughts, feelings and values that mainstream media marginalize.

Practical and extremely well researched by four university instructors who have synthesized knowledge from a wide variety of sources, The Better World Handbook provides readers with the essential information they need to take effective actions that will make a difference across the entire spectrum of the world's problems.

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All four authors live in Boulder, Colorado where they are instructors at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Each author is deeply committed to activism.



Editorial Reviews

From the Author

We have written The Better World Handbook as the definitive guide for the average person wanting to make a real difference in the world. Our book is specifically written for well-intentioned people who may be too busy to be actively involved in social change organizations. Our intention is to reach people who normally would not consider themselves activists, people who care about creating a more just and socially responsible world for everyone but don't know where to begin.

Our book answers 3 basic questions: 1. What stops people from getting involved in making a difference in the world?, 2. What are the major challenges facing our world?, and finally 3. What can the average person do in their everyday life to make the world better? This final question is what makes up the core of the book.

6 Things That Set This Book Apart From Others:

1. Action Oriented

The real strength of The Better World Handbook lies in its simple, concrete actions. Too many books discuss the world's problems without offering actions that the average person can take to make a difference. Our book is completely action oriented. We give you all the necessary information, making each action as simple as possible. We also encourage you to interact with the book by writing notes and checking off the actions you complete.

2. Intuitive Organization

We have organized The Better World Handbook in the most intuitive way possible. Chapters in most books about social change relate to general topics rather than concrete areas of life. People are not accustomed to thinking about their lives in this way. We organize The Better World Handbook intuitively, according to areas of people's everyday lives. People are more likely to take actions related to concrete areas of their own lives such as Shopping, Food, and Travel rather than general problems like 'Saving the Environment,' 'Bringing Peace to the World,' or 'Working for Social Justice.' You will find actions in every part of your life that can make a positive difference in the world.

3. Written For The Average Person We have written The Better World Handbook for the average person. Too often, books on social change are oriented towards academics or activists already in social change networks. While our book may appeal to those audiences, we wish to reach average well-intentioned people who care about the world but have little time, interest, or resources to engage in 'traditional' activism. To this end, we keep the overall tone of the book positive and solution focused so as not to weigh down the reader with the world's problems.

4. Everyday Activism The Better World Handbook offers actions that most people can take NOW. Many books propose grand solutions to social problems but fail to offer immediate, everyday actions for the reader to take. For example, most people will not picket a corporation's headquarters, but they may boycott a corporation's products if they use sweatshop labor. Whenever possible, we suggest actions connected to everyday life.

5. Comprehensive Approach The Better World Handbook covers a range of values and social problems, integrating corresponding actions into every area of the reader's life. Many books are 'single issue' oriented; they focus exclusively on the environment, political activism, or social justice. Our book is much more comprehensive, guiding you towards the possibility of living out your values in every aspect of your life. We also thoroughly research a variety of global problems, offering a creative, comprehensive vision for a better world.

6. Engaging Format We have written and designed The Better World Handbook in the most engaging way possible. Believing that we must engage you, the reader, before you will ever consider our actions, we include icons, text boxes, cartoons, graphs, checklists, tables, resources and imagery. We keep the tone positive, inspiring the reader by demonstrating the difference she or he can make in the world through simple lifestyle changes.

About the Author

Ellis Jones has been teaching people to make a difference in the world for over a decade with works like The Better World Handbook. A scholar of social responsibility, change and activism, he founded and directs the Better World Network.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 300 pages
  • Publisher: New Society Publishers (October 1, 2001)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0865714428
  • ISBN-13: 978-0865714427
  • Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,548,185 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
43 of 43 people found the following review helpful
The Social Justice Bible July 16, 2002
By J.W.K
Format:Paperback
Most of us want to do what is right but lack the proper information to realize our deepest values in action. We want to save the rainforest, purchase products that are ecologically sound, end war, famine, and every other ill that plagues humanity. However, we lack a clear understanding of how our everyday actions shape the world. This highly informative book will help you express your values in action.

The "challenges" this book outlines include: economic inequality, Third World debt, corporate sweatshops, war, militarization, the death penalty, media violence, natural resource depletion, air pollution and climate change, ecosystem destruction, overpopulation, lack of democracy, money in politics, media monopoly, inequality of women, racism, heterosexism, inadequate hHealth care, prisons, advertising overload, commercialization of childhood, materialism and overconsumption, fragmented communities, and finally a certain loss of our humanity.

Not to worry, though, there is no reason for cynicism. The authors are young, vibrant, and optimistic about social change. The is no pessimist's rant. In fact, section one, "the cycle of cynicism," actually deals this problem head on, offering many hopeful alternatives.

The rest of the book is action-oriented. Included are hundreds of small things we can implement in our everyday life: including pracical advice on banking and investing, shopping, food, personal lifestyle choices, friends and family, community, home, work, media, politics, travel, and involvement with organizations.

The variety and quality of the recommendations show extreme breadth of research and awareness on the part of the authors. The amount of references is staggering: including links to organizations, further reading suggestions, alternative media venues and action allert email lists.

By far and away the most practical and informative resource available for those interested in living an ecologically and socially ethical life, "The Better World Handbook" is nothing short of a bible for the new millennium. Pick up a copy and start living in accord with your values today.
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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The Better World Handbook is an inspiring and refreshingly different kind of "how-to" guide for people seeking to embody their hopes for a more just and caring world. By touching on all the major areas of our daily activities, authors Jones, Haenfler and Johnson ably negotiate the interconnectedness that describes our personal, economic, environmental and political relationships. I was impressed both with the Better World Handbook's comprehensibility and with the logic of its organization. Straighforward subject headings, relevant chapter introductions, and an easy-to-understand presentation of opportunities for personal and collective action define the book.

Some readers may label the book as "progressive" and dismiss it because of its advocacy of a number of social change organizations that might also be labelled as such, but I think the book can prompt any of us--wherever we are on the religious or political spectrums--to explore the various aspects of our lives with a view towards justice and sustainability.

The book also tends to be counter-cultural even while meeting the reader right where s/he is, integrated into the dominant culture. The Better World Handbook frequently sheds needed light on many of the disintegrating and unhealthy forces of our modern society. I liked the margin notes and text boxes scattered throughout the book that provide compelling facts and statistics, lending weight to the authors' arguments for the suggested courses of action in each chapter.

One part of the book that I especially liked but was disappointed not to see more of was the inclusion of the authors' personal stories and experiences. In the chapter on travel, for example, co-author Ross Haenfler relates his experience, while travelling in the American Southwest, of choosing to buy a hand-woven rug directly from a Navajo woman rather than through a retail tourist shop in the area. I would have enjoyed hearing more from Ross and also from the other authors about the personal experiences (both positive and negative) they've had while trying to put their own suggestions into action. This might have helped bring the authors further into dialog with their readers.

The Better World Handbook is a wonderful and timely book. I wish to thank the authors for the huge commitment they have made to this project; it is a gift to all of us who hope for a better world and wish somehow to be signposts of that new reality.

Brian Ladd
Boulder, CO

December 8, 2001

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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
An invaluable resource November 18, 2004
Format:Paperback
Want to make a difference but don't know where to begin? Try reading "The Better World Handbook" by Ellis Jones, Ross Haenfler, Brett Johnson, and Brian Klocke. They offer a variety of actions on issues like poverty, environmental damage, and free trade that you can incorporate into your life. What's great about this book is that you can pick and choose what works for you at the moment - there are suggested actions that may not seem doable now but you can probably do later. You don't have agree with each issue the authors describe and suggest actions for, and the authors make a good attempt at avoiding a self-righteous tone. I have notes and have highlighted what actions I can manage, and will keep referring to this list (probably on the new year's eves to come).

The authors first explain our culture of cynicism and define the 7 most common traps that prevent people from taking action on issues they care about. I found this especially revealing as I have often caught myself in one or more of those traps. They then describe the seven foundations of a better world (economic fairness, comprehensive peace, ecological sustainability, deep democracy, social justice, culture of simplicity, and revitalized community) and have a list of references on each foundation. What follows are numerous actions regarding money (e.g. banking), shopping, food, personal living and relationships, community, home, work, media, politics, transportation, and travel. Some of the website links they include are not up-to-date, so I strongly recommend doing a search on the organizations mentioned and trying to find similar links and organizations.

This book is a starting point and can inspire other actions that are not included in the book. Reading "The Better World Handbook" is an invaluable first step to realizing that one person can really make a difference.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great Resource for the Environmentally Conscious
I am a sponsor for an environmental club at my school and we use this book as our basic resource for information, for ideas to promote environmental awareness within the school,... Read more
Published on January 4, 2007 by B. D. Wilcox
Change your world with just 300 pages
This book has been such a great tool in getting college students motivated. I took Sociology from Ross Haenfler this semester and it was AMAZING. Read more
Published on May 6, 2006 by Justin T. Livingston
Practice What You Preach
I LOVED this book. It gives all kinds of good practical advice on how every day actions really CAN make a difference. Read more
Published on February 2, 2005 by bohemian theologian
Tedious Secular Liberal Drivel
Want to Change the World (tm)? Then stick with your old Utne Readers. There's nothing in this book you won't find there, and dozens of other places. Read more
Published on July 24, 2004 by A. A. Campbell
Simple changes in our lives can make a big difference.
The Better World Handbook is an amazing guide to healthy everyday living. It has information on how to better ourselves individually and how we can include ourselves in the... Read more
Published on August 21, 2002 by "musicalliyah"
Empowering
Accessible, comprehensive, and inspiring. The Better World Handbook is an incredible resource for anyone who wants to make a positive impact on the world. Read more
Published on January 27, 2002 by H.Gamgee
Best Professors Ever!!!!
These three were all professors of mine at the Univeristy of Colorado, Boulder and they profoundly changed my world views. Read more
Published on January 22, 2002 by Courtney
An Inspiration
This book is an inspiration. It's seems like it was catered specifically to me. I am always wondering when I purchase something, even "natural" products, whether or not... Read more
Published on November 18, 2001 by Paul
Very Disappointing
Have you ever been around someone who thinks they are better than you because they don't watch TV, eat only organic foods, and refuse to support big, bad corporations? Read more
Published on November 14, 2001 by Ndugu
Want a better world?
This is the best book of its kind I have seen. In a straightforward fashion, the authors review the ways in which you can get involved with the many, many organizations available... Read more
Published on November 12, 2001 by Eleanor A. Hubbard
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