This book is something of an anachronism really. It would easily find its place somewhere in the mid nineteen thirties along with other radical pieces of literature entirely focused on the alleged goal (or "purpose" to use Paul Hawken's term) with complete disregard for the human consequences. Let us save Men against himself shall we?
Unfortunately for M. Hawken (and fortunately for us) the time of extreme movements - from Communism to National Socialism - feeding from people's fear and ignorance are well behind us. This is Earth in the twentieth century and even though the ability to reason is not always as spread out as we'd like, information and more importantly knowledge are freely available to - almost - all thanks to the internet.
As far as Ecology goes the United States is quite late in the game. Anyone who has lived through a national election in the United States would have to agree; Ecology is nowhere to be found in the debates. One can only dream of seeing a political "third way" with an agenda even partly based on Ecology. There is just no equivalence to Die Grünen or Europe Ecologie Les Verts - respectively the German and French Green Party or any other European Green parties for that matter (did I mention I'm French?)
Still, the current political vacuum doesn't justify the blind acceptance of the rhetoric of any Dictator Wannabe who still believe that the ends justifies the means.
This book is way too reminiscent of the darkest hours of the past century; its "WE" resonates at every line as regularly as the beating heart of the leftist propaganda from which it derives all its rhetoric.
From the beginning and through two third of the book the reader is subjected to the endless pounding of one single idea; Corporations are evil. The author seems to live under the impression that repeating something a hundred times make it true. Of course he seems to also live under the impression that the big red monster we've seen around for a century or two (depending of where you live) has anything to do with "Free Market Capitalism". Need I remind you that what Capitalists call "Free Market" is, you know, FREE MARKET??? That is to say "Unimpaired" in case you have issue with the whole concept of Freedom.
You don't get to steal fifty (or more) percent of the wealth created by free trade of manufactured goods, regulate all aspects of life, heavily tax and subsidize both food and energy and somewhat call it "Free Market" just because you refuse the paternity of that bastard child named "Socialism".
Yes, Free Market is the best system out there to create wealth. Thank you very much Captain Obvious but you don't get any brownie points for recognizing what the rest of us have learned from the unfortunate history of the twentieth century and specifically from the lesson of the Cold War.
Two third in the book M. Hawken tells us that Green Tax are the solution to pay for the "hidden cost" of production. Unfortunately taxes are not signed into law by people, they're not signed into law by private businesses either. They're created by...the US Government. Yes, that same government that was conspicuously absent from the book until now.
Almost immediately the author admits that he can't calculate those "hidden cost". Well, more precisely we're told that "they cannot be measured" (his arrogance is baffling really) so I guess we (the people) will have to write a blank check.
The last third of the book is an enumeration of dubious analogies aimed at convincing the readers that new green taxes are needed in order to give more "incentive" to the people to do "the right thing".
Aside from numerous and useless name dropping (including - don't laugh - Chomsky) the reader is left out in the cold waiting for some sort of studies, or some numbers that would back up the empty statements...in vain.
The author's lack of knowledge in finance becomes all too evident when he tries to redefine the concept of "Auto Insurance" and completely discard the loss for insurance companies as if it would not have any further consequences just because we look away...
I will pass on the numerous contradictions and intellectual frauds that can be found pretty much at every page. If you're a student in Linguistic and are somewhat familiar with leftist propaganda you might enjoy testing your knowledge with this book. It gets old quickly I must say.
The book hit rock bottom when the reader is told that we can't really count on the federal government (what can you do with $4 trillion/year nowadays really?) and that "WE" somehow are responsible for the solution...which totally contradict the "Green Tax" scheme which again has nothing to do with "the people".
It's unfortunate that in these times of needs we're stuck with such complete nonsense. Readers will do a favor to Mother Nature by 1) not buying the book and 2) spend more time enjoying the mountains away from cars, houses and shopping malls.
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Top reviews from other countries
Chaitanya Sethi
Excellent book on Business' responsibility towards sustainability
Reviewed in India on August 19, 2020ababyotter
Powerful message, weak writing
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 10, 2021
bomble
A must read for those who care about our future.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 12, 2014
