Rating: 
Summary: Book Falls Short of Legacy
Review: Admittedly, the saga of Julia Butterfly Hill and the Luna Tree-sit is an incredible and inspiring tale. Anyone wanting to gain insight into the mind and motivations of Hill, and to share in her perspective of this 2 year long act of civil disobedience, will certainly want to read "The Legacy of Luna". Beyond these elements however, the book is a great disappointment and fails to live up to the monumental significance of the story it attempts to portray.As many other reviews attest, "Legacy" is an easy read. I personally finished the book in less than 4 hours. This readability is unfortunately a result of the book's lack of substance and disconnected ramblings. In her rushed effort to complete the book Hill has failed to capture and articulate the genuine spirit of her action, instead providing a mostly dry account of day to day life in the tree mixed with meandering philosophy. By failing to consider the widespread effects and ramifications of the tree-sit - from its context and sometimes controversial influence within the modern environmental movement to the role the action played in effecting the dynamic of government forest policy on a local and national scale - Hill leaves the reader without a definite sense of just what the legacy referred to in the book's title is. "The Legacy of Luna" also falls short of providing a comprehensive account of the story in its failure to address many significant events and efforts on the ground which directly related to Hill's success. The reader is instead brought along on the journey in the vacuum of isolation that was Hill's two years in Luna. Considering that the book was written while Hill remained in the tree, having no opportunity to stand back and take account of the bigger picture, Hill's perspective is understandable. Yet as a reader I was left feeling that much was left unaccounted for, including the massive community effort which supported Hill's action that is at best is given passing reference in the book. This considerable omission, along with comments contained in the book's jacket, unfortunately perpetuates the public's romantic perception that the tree-sit was the action of a lone individual. As the author's Media and Ground Support Coordinator for over one year (I ceased involvement with the tree-sit in April, 1999), I have first-hand knowledge that Hill is a deeply spiritual, gifted activist and a passionate and articulate speaker and writer. Complaints regarding inaccurate timelines and erroneous accounting of events aside, the greatest disappointment is the book's failure to reflect the true legacy of Hill's accomplishments. In the publication of this book Hill was given what may possibly be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a long-standing and profoundly influential work along the lines of Aldo Leopold's "Sand County Almanac" or Edward Abbey's "Desert Solitaire". Instead, in her hurry to complete the book while under the daily pressures of her action, Hill has produced an interesting, yet unsubstantial account of her experience. Readers desiring to learn more about the context in which Hill's action was conducted are encouraged to read David Harris', "The Last Stand: The War Between Wall Street and Main Street Over California's Ancient Redwoods". For another account of a personal journey within these magnificent forests Joan Dunning's, "From the Redwood Forest: Ancient Trees and the Bottom Line: A Headwaters Journey" will be of interest.
Rating: 
Summary: Up for a cause Not for herself
Review: After finishing quickly because I was so drawn to it I can say it was an easy read but it proved a point that standing up for what you believe in will get you somewhere. Julia didn't go up in Luna to get famous she went up to save her and the hillside and the city below. She ended up staying for 738 days and leaving as a well known woman who saved a tree and got caught in the middle of a political standoff. Julia went through torture for her tree: two winters, choked out by smoke, small sleeping quarters and many other oddities. And the entire time she never waivered she stood strong like Luna and that is something that anyone can aspire to do. I read this after a drive through the Redwoods and from what I saw there I would climb anyone of those trees like Julia did if it meant saving that forest or just one of those trees so someone else later on could see what has taken years to form and build and what sometimes only takes minutes to destroy. Our Trees fall at a fanomial rate every year and anyone who is involved inthe tree sits every year in the northwest is savinga little peace of the earth for you me and the generations after us that might see a litle of what we had a chance to. Thank You Julia and all the tree sitters out there for what you do everyday, standing up for what you belive in.
Rating:
Summary: Bravo!
Review: I remember Julia Butterfly Hill making her stand and remember being so proud of her (and impressed with her bravery). This is a good book recounting what she went through and some of her thoughts over that period. So much of her love for this planet comes through and that was what really spoke to me throughout since I feel the same. I think its hard to write that kind of passion into words - but her actions speak so much more loudly than words. Wonderful work!
Rating: 
Summary: The "Silent Spring" of our time
Review: Julia Butterfly Hill is the Rachel Carson of our time. I loved this book ... There are very few people who "walk the walk." Julia truly shows us how to make a difference with this book.
Rating:
Summary: Legacy of a Butterfly
Review: Julias book hits a sharp note. We can do something to make an impact if we try hard enough! Julia " Butterfly " hill, is now 26 and is an inspiration to so many! The book deleves you into the world as Julia sees it. Written with true feelings it is a must for all of you who need a spiritual lift, or have a deep passion for our environment! Starting out with her terrible accident she had, which ultimately sent her in an upward spiral to make her life truly meaningful. She headed twords her legacy in dec, of 97 and recounted everything from pacific lumbers terrible attempts to get rid of her by trying to both starve her out of the tree, and sending huge helicopters near her that made the tiny 6x8 platform she lived in a piece of flimsy paper blowing up and down in the wind as she held on to dear life. She writes several poems about life, luna ( tree ) and pacific lumber. Gifted with a truly passionate touch, Julia reminds us to listen to the wisdom of the earth, live by it and learn from it. There are very few books that give such an impact to the reader to bring them into the world of julia and to live the life of a person who is so truly genuine and inspirational. All proceeds go to her circle of life foundation, in hopes to keep our environment a healthy and stable one. I recommend this to all readers young and old, and if you read this book and dont feel overwhelmed with emotione you have not payed close attention to her message, of love and respect to all circles of life. Happy readings. ( Warning you may feel the sudden urge to go out to a tree farm and buy a tree to plant!)
Rating:
Summary: Inspirational and Educational
Review: The amazing story of a young woman who spent two years of her life living in a tree, in order to help save the old growth forests near my home town in Humboldt County, CA. Before I read this book, I had thought of her ordeal as more of a publicity stunt than anything else. After reading of the hardships she endured, and the tone of her personal convictions though, it became quite clear that this was no "stunt". Whether you agree with her stance on the environment or not, you have to respect her conviction for her personal beliefs. This story sheds some light on how our youth are using passive activism to help save our planet. The book is remnicient of Thoreau's Walden in many ways. While it certainly is not be on the literary level of Walden, it definitely is a refreshing change from the many books of today's "me" generation.
Rating: 
Summary: Keeps your attention
Review: This book definitely keeps your attention for the simple fact that it is so strange. I really admire this woman for living in a tree for two years for a good cause. It seems like a great adventure to write about. The book was well written, and I even am a member of the Sierra Club, but this girl is different.
Rating:
Summary: inspiration
Review: This book was above all else very inspiring. The conviction and passion of Julia Hill definately come across full force. She's a very wise person and her observations about life are thoroughly thought-provoking. I must say I didn't know much if at anything at all about the whole Luna tree-sit before reading this. So I cannot comment about how well it documents the episode. I did assume from the relatively short length of the book and the fact that she does generally just share her own personal, inward stories from her time in Luna that it wasn't a great chronicle of the entire activity around the tree-sit. However as an inspirational book to fire up the activist in you (or just to help you do what you know is right) it's perfect!
Rating:
Summary: A great book!
Review: This is a great book and I enjoyed reading every page. Very inspirational and moving. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Finding Balance
Review: This is an amazing story. I think if you are of one extreme political view or the other in regards to the redwoods, or environmentalism, you will be softened somewhat after reading Julia's odyssey. It is largely written from a place of neutrality (the heart), and does not "preach", nor is it angry in tone. I am a Northern Californian myself, and after experiencing personally the enormous anger/hate that goes on between BOTH sides of the spectrum, i.e. the logging industry, and the environmentalists, her book was very refreshing. It was as if, by climbing the tree, and remaining in it for so long, Julia stood on the fulcrum of both extremes. I remember one part of the book where, after a confrontation with one of the loggers, she lowered down a photograph of herself dressed in a formal gown. Seeing her as someone he could identify with, and not just as a tree-hugging-hippy out-to-ruin-his-life-by-taking his livelihood away, shifted him. It may be that I believe Julia is a saint, simply because I'm a tree fanatic. But I feel she has really helped shift a lot of the stagnatic energy on both sides of the tree agenda. She has a wonderful heart, and I believe most of you will be able to identify with her, just as that logger did. The only reason I did not give this book 4 stars, is that there are parts of the writing which seem repeated or slow. But definately, read this book... it is a very unique story!
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