Musing Crow

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 4 stars

“I am always interested in books that make a case for sustainability – some of these books are dry as unbuttered toast, some posit the same suggestions that have been made time after time – few come up with anything novel. This book does just that. In her book, “The Sustainable Network: The Accidental Answer for a Troubled Planet”, Sarah Sorensen suggests how networking can help to amplify the small things that each of us can do to aid our ailing planet.

Ms. Sorensen first defines her terms – networking meaning not only in terms of computers but also in terms of each and every one of and the influence we can have on others can be used to effect changes on the enviromnet, technology, as well as social issues.

Some verbiage taken directly from The publisher, O’Rielly’s, states the books strong points best perhaps:

* Discover how the sustainable network connects us all, with examples of how it's already effecting change
* Understand how this network magnifies the impact of even the smallest change and newest idea
* Explore the role that various market and political forces play
* Learn how the network can be improved to better address environmental, economic, and social conditions
• Get practical advice that you or your business can follow now

Another interesting idea that Ms Sorensen postulates is that increasing available band width will make the internet, networking, more easily available to people, businesses and governments – which, she believes, will lead to ‘faster innovation’. Interesting concept – and ,perhaps, correct.

As I understand this book, we can all be considered as spokes on a wheel – all of us are part of that network. The books calls each of us, every person, very business and every government , to take up a role in enabling the network as a whole to use it’s cumulative power to effect positive changed for out planet.

I liked this book more than I thought I would. In places it is a bit dry but all in all it is a very readable, very positive book that I think belongs on many bookshelves. Each of us, as part of a whole network, can effect positive change one step at a time.

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Musing Crow wrote this review Sunday, December 6, 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“I was not quite sure just what I would think of this book when I first saw. I think I was leery of the title - only because I tend to dislike titles like ' fast, fun easy' or fun & quick'. Don't get me wrong we all need a quick fix at times and more or less instant result can be a very good thing sometimes too...I am just one of those people who stills likes real letters and finds more comfort in slow cloth than quick and easy.

The first thing I noticed about this book is it's quality. It's a nice size, the paper is high quality and the cover spiral binding is very well made - these are things that I so look for in books - and yes, I am a page 'sniffer'. I love the smell of ink on paper - and I can be critical of paper color and paper quality - the latter especially in hard-covered books or those books that are made to get a lot of use. Of course the next thing that I looked at were - what else?! - the patterns. The patterns are divided into sections with titles such as "On The Go" (bags, lunch bags, lap top covers etc), "Household Affairs" (tea cozies,aprons, hot& cold packs), "Outfit Your Small Wonder" (obviously geared to clothing for your own little one). There are patterns for dog couture items, toys for children, great shopping bags and a wealth of small projects that really can be made with just a yard of fabric. Also included are things like sewing fundamentals - good for beginners or as a refresher for those of us with older cloth fixations. A couple of the 'patterns' are more like instructions for doing things like covering a cork board or scale with fabric. No necessarily sewing projects but they can be done with a yard or less of fabric.

Some of these projects are for things that we could all probably figure out how to make. I don't know about you , but there are times when I am thrilled not to have to re-invent the wheel - and enjoy the fruits of what others have made pattern for so that I can save my brain cells for the more involved projects that I barely have to complete as it is. Simple and right in front of me with a "how-to" can be a real time save. have been on a kick to find good looking alternatives to to the now ubiquitous grocery store provided 'green' bag. This book includes two patterns that are good. All in all I really like this book a lot and will highly recommend it. It seems to have something that will please everyone and is one of those books that will be a good resource and reference book - and yes, it does hold a lot of things that could be termed "fast, fun and fabulous" ! Give it a try - I don't think that you will be disappointed.

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Musing Crow wrote this review Thursday, December 3, 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“I got this book via Inter Library Loan to see if I wanted to purchase it. It is BEAUTIFULLY done. It's more eye candy than strictly a "how to" book, but the images are stunning. A page of photography of a field of flowers, or part of a garden is translated into embroidered stitches. I found a technique I could use right away. It's a gorgeous book.
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Musing Crow wrote this review Monday, October 1, 2007. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 0 stars

“A very good read ! Historically based novel about Frank Lloyd Wright's great love. Well done book - easy to "get into" - one of those books that you look forard to reading !
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Musing Crow wrote this review Monday, August 27, 2007. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“While it may not really be the only astrology book you'll ever need - it DOES give a large amount of information. Well ordered and easy to read.”

Musing Crow wrote this review Monday, August 27, 2007. ( reply | permalink )