Wisdom for a Livable Planet: The Visionary Work of Terri Swearingen, Dave Foreman, Wes Jackson, Helena Norberg-Hodge, Werner Fornos, Herman Daly, Stephen Schneider, and David Orr [Hardcover]

Carl N. McDaniel (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1595340084 | ISBN-13: 978-1595340085 | Publication Date: February 10, 2005

There are many books on the environment, but Wisdom for a Livable Planet stands out by using inspirational stories of successful activists to explore major environmental issues and offer proven solutions. This passionate, nonpartisan book makes the case that the environment is — or should be — beyond politics. Each story here — 8 in all — provides a portrait of an individual's courageous campaign to improve the conditions for life on the planet. Terri Swearington, nurse and mother in West Virginia, tackles one of the world's largest incinerators burning toxic waste next to an elementary school. Dave Foreman, cofounder of the Wildlands Project, leads the effort to restore functional ecosystems and preserve biodiversity by re-wilding almost half of North America with wolves, jaguars, falcons, and other animals. The work of these and the other six visionaries profiled here points to how real reforms can create a brighter future for all life, including human.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

By personalizing critical environmental issues via profiles of eight "visionaries" agitating for a more livable planet, this informative if occasionally wordy work brings something new to the Earth-activist bookshelf. McDaniel (coauthor, Paradise for Sale) certainly covers his ecological bases: his subjects are prominent in the areas of hazardous waste incineration, biodiversity, sustainable agriculture, appropriate technology, population control, rational economic planning, climate concerns and environmental education; their unflagging enthusiasm for the well-being of the planet infuses the book, which at times veers toward the pedantic, with a redemptive, zealous energy. The portrait of Teri Swearingen is the most accessible: for two decades, the West Virginia nurse and mother fought construction of a toxic-waste incinerator near an elementary school. The portrait of Wes Jackson is the most inspirational: for almost three decades, the geneticist's Land Institute in Kansas has worked to spread the word about farming practices that preserve good soil rather than poison it. And the portrait of David Orr is perhaps the most forward looking: the professor of environmental studies at Oberlin College believes that Earth's future lies in developing "culture-transforming" environmental education. The stories of these eight ecological warriors are profoundly appealing in that they show the diverse ways that people can commit to a common cause. (Mar.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Catastrophic natural disasters remind us that we are part of nature and at the mercy of nature, yet we assume that everyday environmental disorders won't affect our lives. Not so, says biologist McDaniel and the eight inspired activists, educators, and scientists he profiles. Adept at cogent explanations of complex matters, McDaniel uses the groundbreaking work of the visionaries he portrays as starting points for clarifying reports on concerns ranging from climate change to the need for "rewilding" to restore biodiversity. But it is the personal element that makes each issue resonate in this engaging, often moving group portrait. McDaniel spends time with all of the innovative thinkers as he tells the inside stories of their callings and the adversity they face. Nurse Terri Swearingen became an intrepid activist when a huge toxic waste incinerator was built next door to a local elementary school. Wes Jackson coined the term and now seeks to practice "sustainable agriculture." Economist Herman Daly advocates for a "steady-state economy" in sync with ecological realities. By combining biography with crucial information and thought-provoking analysis, McDaniel creates an ecological and philosophical atlas mapping where we stand today and which paths we should follow for a more environmentally sound tomorrow. Donna Seaman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Trinity University Press (February 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1595340084
• ISBN-13: 978-1595340085
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,023,538 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Important book, May 8, 2005

By 

Sean Devine - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wisdom for a Livable Planet: The Visionary Work of Terri Swearingen, Dave Foreman, Wes Jackson, Helena Norberg-Hodge, Werner Fornos, Herman Daly, Stephen Schneider, and David Orr (Hardcover)

'Wisdom for a Livable Planet' highlights the incredible environmental contributions of eight people in various fields. It gives a sense of the breadth of environmentalism today, while uniting all eight of the book's subjects in their resolve to fight against the overwhelming forces of anti-environmentalism found in our political and academic institutions today. Why is it so hard to fight to protect our planet? Because most of us see everything through the filter of economics which treats the environment as a commodity. Until leaders (political, educational, and spiritual) understand the importance of defending our environment, until they spread the word of living within the context of our environment, we are doomed to destroy ourselves. Those leaders could start by educating themselves with this book. I think everyone should read it. I even donated a copy to my local library.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Important and thought-provoking, May 25, 2005

By 

Mary Buell - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wisdom for a Livable Planet: The Visionary Work of Terri Swearingen, Dave Foreman, Wes Jackson, Helena Norberg-Hodge, Werner Fornos, Herman Daly, Stephen Schneider, and David Orr (Paperback)

"Wisdom" is a collection of very readable and thought-provoking
biographies of people who are trying to make a difference at a time when every obstacle is being placed in the way of ideas and actions that are concerned with our future. These people are today's heroes. McDaniel knows his subject and explains in very understandable terms the ideas and actions of each person plus what their causes mean for the future and the consequences if we don't listen to what they are telling us. Everyone, regardless of their political persuasion, should read this book.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book and great addition for relevant courses, August 20, 2008

By 

Howard Whiteman (Paris, TN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wisdom for a Livable Planet: The Visionary Work of Terri Swearingen, Dave Foreman, Wes Jackson, Helena Norberg-Hodge, Werner Fornos, Herman Daly, Stephen Schneider, and David Orr (Paperback)

I can't say enough good things about this book, and the heroes within it. If you want inspiration, it is here. If you want to get energized to fight for the environment, you will find it within the pages of this book. I use it in my courses to bring hope to my students, which are otherwise doom and gloomed by our current environmental conditions. There is plenty of that in this book, but the hope within it makes it quite different from other similar works. It has my highest recommendation.