BOOK REVIEWS

By Sonia von Matt Stoddard

 

THE ZERO-WASTE LIFESTYLE

Live Well by Throwing Away Less

By Amy Korst

Trash is ultimately connected to every environmental problem we have today, from habitat destruction to pollution and chemical exposure. It impacts every decision in our daily lives.

Whether you’re interested in moderate or extreme trash reduction, here is your guide to ending the year with all of your trash fitting into one shoebox. You begin by reorganizing your life around the concept of trash-free living. Then, you will begin to put the ideas into practice, from grocery shopping and meal planning to composting and recycling.

Is it possible to live waste/garbage-free in a country where the average person generates three pounds of landfill-bound garbage in a day — more trash than any other in the world?  The answer is yes! You can lead a happier, healthier, more sustainable life by adopting this lifestyle; however, many of the replacement “options” mean you must eliminate certain items entirely.

Published by Ten Speed Press, this book is available at your local bookstore or www.crownpublishing.com

 

UPRISINGS FOR THE EARTH

Reconnecting Culture With Nature

By Osprey Orielle Lake

A recipient of the 2011 Nautilus Book Award, which judges distinguished literary and heartfelt contributions to positive social change, responsible leadership, green values, conscious and high-level wellness, this book addresses the actions required to mitigate environmental crisis, as well as the long-term societal and personal transformation needed for systemic, creative and enduring change.

Weaved together here we find history, ecology, social commentary and women’s leadership to map out an integrated approach to working in partnership with nature, and to become truly attuned to the natural world. Each chapter invites us to explore the various landscapes of urban areas, valleys, forests and wisdom of land-based knowledge from different cultures and histories. Whether you’re already an agent of change, or newly awakened to these issues, this book will provide you with inspiration to that end.

Published by White Cloud Press, this book is available at your local bookstore or www.whitecloudpress.com

 

DIET FOR A NEW AMERICA

How Your Food Choices Affect Your Health, Your Happiness,

and the Future of Life on Earth (25th Anniversary Edition)

By John Robbins

Originally published in 1987, and revised to compliment life as it is today, the core commitment of this book is to educate and enlighten us as to food consciousness. Our eating habits, at their core, influence every aspect of our life: sustenance, health and industry, among a few. Knowing the explosive truths about our food and the food industry is the basis of this author’s cause.

As Americans, we are privileged to have the option of selecting the optimum diet. No self-deprivation is necessary. You need only to understand your healthiest, most economical, compassionate, and least polluting choices. From the beginning of a food source, to its eventual consumption, this book opens our eyes to the process, and explains how we can become responsible stewards of our earth and its bounty.

Published by New World Library, this book is available at your local bookstore or www.newworldlibrary.com

 

 

THE LONG RIDE

The Record-Setting Journey by Horse Across the American Landscape

By Lucian Spataro Jr., Ph.D.

The recipient of two major awards, including the 2012 IPPY Outstanding Book of the Year Gold Award for the book “Most Likely to Save the Planet,” and with a forward by Jane Goodall, this book is an elaboration upon the first telling of the story — Ride Across America in 1991.

This beautifully-illustrated “coffee table book” documents the Arabian horseback journey of author Spataro, across 2,963 miles of America, in order to draw attention to the way in which humans are destroying our environment, and more specifically with respect to the rainforests.

All changes in nature have consequences. As humans, we must respect this balance and have an obligation to take action. Here is the story of one man and one horse, making a tremendous effort at effecting positive change.

Published by Green Rider, LLC, this book is available at your local bookstore or www.thelongride.com

 

KISSED BY A FOX

And Other Stories of Friendship in Nature

By Priscilla Stuckey

Many previous societies have viewed plants, animals and the earth as friends. The sense that the whole world is alive is becoming lost to those who transfer attention to books instead of nature itself.

The author experienced “interspecies communication” firsthand, as she was able to send thoughts to a bald eagle that were answered. Trusting in her experience brought her courage. When her understanding started to diverge from mainstream rationalisms, including the religious kinds, she did not discount them. In fact, she began to pay attention. The eagle had bestowed upon her a tremendous recognized blessing and opened her up to a new kind of faith and worldview.

By widening your circle of friends to include all that is of the earth, and through individual stories of those encounters, we are brought closer to the paradigm of nature that is all around us.

Published by Counterpoint Press, this book is available at your local bookstore or www.counterpointpress.com