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Liked It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “Bill’s book was very meaningful to me. It’s not a book that solves the world’s problems by any means. It certainly is inspiring, mostly at the personal level, which is power in it’s own right, because that means it has the potential to spark the community that Bill advocates. |
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“In Deep Economy, Bill McKibben provides a persuasive case against our current growth-based economic system. His critique of free-market capitalism, with its enormous emphasis on industrialization, is carefully written and extremely effective. Instead of the long held mantra of "go big or go home" exhorted by traditional economists, McKibben proposes that the best way to curb the effects of global warming, prepare for peak oil, and improve our quality of life is to localize our economies and rebuild our communities from the ground up. McKibben builds his case with the foresight and precision of a lawyer, analyzing and ultimately refuting every counterargument and enforcing his claim with studies, surveys and a good dose of personal experience. McKibben's clarity of thought, eye for detail and irony, and willingness to include personal anecdotes and stories in his writing makes Deep Economy is as enjoyable as it is informative--a rogue radio station, a community garden built on a former trash dump, and a remarkable Chinese man known as "the Rabbit King" all make sure of this. McKibben tempers his fears about our collective future with optimism for change, and the result is remarkably engaging. If you have concerns or even just curiosity about our economy, the twin threats of global warming or peak oil, agriculture, food, or social justice, give Deep Economy a try. ”
Tessa K wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Main points: 1) Human should derail from the insatiable pursuit of economic growth and efficiency. 2) Local economies/communities. The world simply cannot support our desire if the developing countries soon follow the footpath of the developed ones in terms of resources and energy usuage. A book about a sustainable future for human on this planet. Plenty of case studies and examples (perhaps a bit too much) to support his arguments.”
Goliath wrote this review 4 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Bill McKibben is founder of 350.org, a world-wide organisation committed to getting carbon emissions down to 350 parts per million, so that we may try to avoid going higher than a two-degree increase in global warming. This book is a blueprint on how our communities can cope with the challenge, economically and socially.”
Jay R wrote this review Saturday, November 14 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“3 1/2 . Pretty good as far as environmental books go- brings up many valid points about what we as a society need to do to protect our environment.”
Kelsey wrote this review Thursday, November 12 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Shows the razor-thin margin of security we have with our current system of survival. You will not buy your next box of Special K without thinking about McKibben's terrific work here. Makes you want to run to your Saturday Farmer's Market and buy everything they have.”
ExpatFromHell wrote this review Tuesday, October 6 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A truly inspiring book. Both alarming and filled with hopeful examples that we might really begin to turn around the patterns and habits we have formed that have become so destructive. Highly recommended!”
Mr. Slaughter wrote this review Friday, August 14 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“An important book that challenges your view of the world and our economy; it was published before the economic crisis of 2008, and in retrospect it is downright prescient. Its central theorem is simple: happiness and sustainability come not from pure economic growth, but by the nurturing of communities and a sense of belonging. The argument is superbly supported by a series of examples, both in North America and abroad. The result is a hopeful, optimistic, yet urgent manifesto for our times.
Daniel Roy wrote this review Tuesday, March 17 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Note: I read this book as a follow-up to Michael Pollan's "Omnivore's Dilemma", and it worked perfectly as a companion piece. Whereas Pollan examines the food chain and the benefits of small-scale, sustainable agriculture, McKibben takes it two steps further by seeing how the same logic used in community farming can be applied to almost every sector of our economy, and why it makes sense. I definitely recommend both these books as a reading set.”“This book is a must read with today's economic situation! It amazes me that it was wretten a few years ago. Too bad so few people took the wake up call it offered.”
Debbie F wrote this review Friday, March 6 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
0 of 1 members found this review helpful“This is book is okay, I gave it one star because it was just a bunch of narrative about reverting back to a more conventional, fundamental economy being more localized. I definitely didn't like this considering I had to read it for a class.”
Frank M wrote this review Friday, October 24 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
