Threshold: The Crisis of Western Culture [Hardcover]

Thom Hartmann (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

What begins as skillful (and scary) prognostications about climate change's impact devolve into an unfocused mishmash in this mélange of history, philosophy, science and anthropology. Air America Radio Network host Hartmann (The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight) marshals solid research to demonstrate how overpopulation, pernicious trade policies, rampant consumerism and other excesses are devastating the Earth. The utopia he envisions, which owes much to Scandinavian social democracies, is unimpeachable, what with its emphasis on gender equality, ecological consciousness and a renewed spirit of democracy. Unfortunately, the author cannot direct his ire, and the book buckles under breathless plaints that leap from the history of lacrosse to neurology to our relationships with animals in the span of a few pages. The result is a frustrating, hard-to-follow conclusion that obscures the valuable arguments that distinguish the book's striking opening. (July)
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Review

"If you're looking for a book that offers BIG answers to the BIG questions and that lays it all out in concise, clear, common-sense English you have it in your hands! Hartmann both lays it out and lifts us up."
-Jim Hightower, Nationally syndicated columnist, radio commentator, best selling author and editor of the Hightower Lowdown.

"America's most popular progressive talk show host brings his powerful political and historical insight to bear on the most important question of our time: To what may we humans aspire in this time of crisis and how can we achieve it?"
-David Korten, board chair, YES! magazine, and author Agenda for a New Economy: From Phantom Wealth to Real Wealth and The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth Community

"At last: a book that defines the problems of our current robber baron economy and presents solutions that integrate natural laws with the way we live, work, and shop. Thom Hartmann once again dazzles us with brilliant ideas and eloquent writing."
-John Perkins, New York Times Bestselling Author of Confessions of an Economic Hit Man and The Secret History of the American Empire

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Viking Adult (July 23, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670020915
• ISBN-13: 978-0670020911
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #350,279 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An urgent look at our world's looming crisis and what we must do to avert it, July 26, 2009

By	Sacramento Book Review "Sacramento Book Review" (Sacramento, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Threshold: The Crisis of Western Culture (Hardcover)

In //Threshold: The Crisis Of Western Culture//, writer and Air America host Thom Hartmann argues that the deteriorating state of our planet, where the dynamics of environmental, economic, and population change are boiling over the limits within which society can function, is inevitably near at hand. In clear and impassioned prose, Hartmann busts the myths and ideologies of religious fundamentalism, capitalism run amok, male domination, and militarism that are draining our world of its natural and human resources and engendering the suffering of millions for the benefit of the few.

No mere jeremiad, //Threshold// examines cultures that have thrived, from the mother city of Caral, Peru to modern Denmark, and targets five areas of policy--national, religious, economic, corporate, and environmental--for specific and immediate reform. Radical in its scope and boldness but simple in its commonsense logic, //Threshold// illustrates the mistakes we have made--as a culture, as a country, and as individuals--and provides the inspiration and motivation readers are looking for to build a better, more sustainable world for all.

Part prophecy, part call to arms, part policy prescription, //Threshold// is the wake-up call our society so badly needs.

Reviewed by
Dominique James

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Required reading for Progressives, October 8, 2009

By	Steven R. Mcallister "InkenSoul Press" (Sarasota, FL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

22 of 24 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

By	Robert Kall "Rob Kall of Opednews.com" (Newtown, PA) - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)

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.