30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Visionary, Smart, Loaded with New Information and a Great Read, August 19, 2009
This review is from: Threshold: The Crisis of Western Culture (Hardcover)
It is nice to know that some things in this world are reliable and predictable. Books by Thom Hartmann fall into that category. This book is smart, loaded with new information and as with most of Thom's books, visionary, seeing both the forest AND the trees. He identifies some of the biggest problems we are facing in what we do and how we think... and he provides concrete solutions-- not necessarily easy though.
His discussion on the evolution of freedom is excellent.
His discussion of how we are connected is fascinating and the new info on how an ancient connection to nature is healing autoimmune diseases is incredible.
Thom explains why CEOs of the biggest companies are psychopaths. It makes a lot of sense.
If we're going to change this planet and save humankind, we need to change our ways of thinking and seeing. Hartmann delivers a lucid, enlightening, enjoyable read that gets to the heart of the matter. As always, Hartmann weaves in new facts and an incredible access to history and historical anecdotes that puts new ideas into historical context.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
33 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Required reading for Progressives, October 8, 2009
This review is from: Threshold: The Crisis of Western Culture (Hardcover)
Thom Hartmann is a man of many voices. To many, he is the harbinger of optimism for those afflicted with Attention Deficit Disorder. To others, he is a guide to conscious living in such books as The Greatest Spiritual Secret of the Century, The Prophet's Way, and The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight. To more still, he is the radio talk show host and political analyst who penned What Would Thomas Jefferson Do?: A Return to Democracy and Screwed: The Undeclared War on the Middle Class. With his latest book, Hartmann has truly crossed the threshold to becoming one of the most lucid voices of the Progressive movement.
In many ways an amalgam of many of his previous books, Threshold: The Crisis of Western Culture serves not only as a cautionary proclamation of our unsustainable lifestyles, but also a guide to getting us back on the right track toward environmental sustainability, working democracy, and social justice. Hartmann highlights three main areas where Western Culture and the Capitalist/Consumerist mentality have impacted the planet: the Environment, the Economy, and the Population. He then outlines the four mistakes which have led to the perils we face and how we can correct them. Hartmann postulates that the greatest detriment to our future is our way of thinking. If we can only change that and look at the world and our interaction with it from a different perspective, we can avoid what could possibly result in the extinction of mankind.
First, we need to stop thinking of humankind as something separate from nature. Though we like to classify ourselves as more than animals because of our opposable thumbs and ability to philosophize, it is imperative that we realize the planet is a living organism of which we are a part. It is not something that we can beat into submission, but a part of ourselves for which we must take care.
Secondly, we must unravel the myth that our free market economy is the natural order of things and the only way to run a democratic society. With the misguided acceptance of a corporation as a person though it needs no food, water, shelter or any other basic human need, America is coming perilously close to becoming completely "corporatized" and sacrificing the experiment of democracy for fascism. Hartmann demonstrates the truly natural order of democracy and the unfortunate plight of 95% of our wealth and decision-making being placed into the hands of .01% of the population.
Third, we need to validate the role of women throughout the world and empower them. Hartmann reveals the differences in societies that honor women and those that treat them as the property of man. By realizing the wisdom they offer and empowering them to make their own decisions, our population crisis could be averted, abortions would be largely minimalized, and balance could return to our society.
Lastly, we need to realize that we cannot bomb the world into democracy and force the world to like us through violence. Just as we need to realize our unity with nature, we as Americans need to realize our connection to the rest of the world. The ongoing tragedy of our fear-based reaction to terrorism is not only that we are depleting our financial and human resources, but that we are also disintegrating our souls and becoming exactly like the enemies we have sworn to rub out. To truly oppose the activity of terrorism and to gain allies around the world, our own activities must be those of creation and not destruction.
As an author and researcher, Hartman weaves a stunning array of information into an accessible page-turner that should be considered required reading for everyone in the Progressive movement. He pulls no punches in his disdain for the conservative ideology and the desire to trade democracy for the feudal "corporatocracy" of fascism. To those who continually decry the role of government and view it as an enemy to be fought against, Hartmann reminds us that in America our government is supposed to be comprised of the People, was created for the People, and must be reclaimed by the People.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Insight Into What's Happening to our Democracy, September 6, 2009
This review is from: Threshold: The Crisis of Western Culture (Hardcover)
This is a must read for progressives and liberals that are concerned about the direction our democracy is headed in and should be required reading for conservatives. Mr. Hartmann pulls material from some of his other books but he puts it all together so the reader gets a very comprehensive view of what's happening in our world and in the American democracy. Mr. Hartmann knows history and his book is a refreshing read for anyone that feels they are not getting the whole truth when reading most contemporary writers of political commentary. His description of corporatocracy and its impact on our world, and the gradual movement to the right of our democracy are both a wake up call and a real insight into how it all came about. This book is a serious work about a serious issue in our time.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
