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Summary: After a life of lies people are hesitant about the truth
Review: This phenomenal book will leave you in awe, as you begin to realize all the untruthful-facts we've been fed ever since we were children and are still being fed today. Thom pulls the sheet off the truth, which was placed by large corporations in hope to keep people as mindless consumers. The ideas put forth in this book ARE the answers. As stated in my title though most may be hesitant at first, such as the gentleman/lady of Kirkus reviews. The only answer now is simplification, and a return to ourselves and our Core, no more complex thinking or "solutions" which are more (and worse) problems in disguise. Most importantly are all the ways that YOU, both directly and indirectly, can benefit and change your lifestyle, those around you, and thus benefit and change the world. This book has an immense wealth of knowledge and truth that makes it invaluable. After reading this book your life will be forever changed for the better as your eyes are opened after their long "slumber".
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Summary: Brilliant! A must Read.
Review: Thom Hartmann's 'take' on the current global issues that we all face and which must be addressed, is comprehensive and unsettling. His views on the Wisdom of Older cultures compared to Younger cultures like our own, make so much sense.Thom, however, doesn't just list the problems. With the suggestions in this book and in his other work 'The Prophet's Way' (Another must read) he lays out the message that we can change this all if we wish. The hard part is that this 'change' has to start within each of us. In the words of Gandhi ... 'We must be the change we wish to see'. Brilliant stuff again from Thom Hartmann.
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Summary: Visionary, Inspiring, Life changing
Review: It's nice to know you are appreciated when you recommend a book, and I have probably had more people come back to thank me, after reading this book at my suggestion, than any other book, except, perhaps, for his other visionary book, Prophet's Way. I was not surprised when I learned that based on the writing of this book, Thom Hartmann was invited to personal meetings with both the Pope and the Dalai Lama. He was invited because they like to meet with people whose ideas have the potential to make the world a better place. This book has already begun to change the world-- one person at a time. I know at least 50 people who have read it and they think about the planet, about values, about what it means to be a human in a different way. It will change you too. You'll read the paper and watch the news differently, see ways things could be better, make different choices. Hartmann is a blend of James Michener and Rachel Carson, telling a gripping story that starts before the beginning of human history and leads up to the present--but rather than being about Hawaii or Chesapeake or Texas, as Michener covered, Thom covers the world's ecology and energy. This is the kind of book which starts movements with millions of people heartfully involved. It's a book every student--and, indeed, every citizen of the world, should read. Thom's newest book, at this writing, Unequal Protection, is another great book and it has the potential to help make the world a better place too. Check it out.
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Summary: Historically biased, self serving, rehashed information
Review: Aside from the fact that "Last Hours" really offers nothing new, nothing that illuminates anyone who is even somewhat informed about the environment or history, it is an innaccurate and biased book as well. Hartmann takes pains to blame a good portion of our environmental and social problems on European conquers and oppression of Natives. However, if Hartmann was truly fair and honest, he wouldn't compare his own values in 1998 (year of publication) to those held by monarchies and explorers or centuries past who obviously were not very morally illuminated, sought to add to their own power (nothing new about that). And yet, condemning the oppression of Natives by European conquerers isn't exactly a novel concept, and it is an easy one to make for anyone with a conscience. Such awful actions of course continue by governments and institutions to this day. It's simply alot easier to simply blame Columbus and Cortez, although their explorations opened an infinite amount of doors for millions of people in Europe and eventually led to the Democracy that is America. It is the same democracy that allows Hartmann to freely publish his opinions. He freely defends some Founding Fathers belief in slavery -- Jefferson, Washington, Madison -- since "it was the reality of the day" yet makes no attempt to make the same logical application to European conquerers and the reality of THEIR day. Hartmann of course concludes that the earth is seriously polluted and that the earth is overpopulated. He tosses stats around as "proof" but he tells half the story. He doesn't even mention that some European countries face a shortage of young people to work in certain jobs and that their death rate is HIGHER than their birth rate. He doesn't mention that food producing technology allows us to produce alot more food than ever before. He doesn't mention that TONS of food are literally thrown away by consumers and farmers on a regular basis. What is the solution to all these problems? Hartmann suggests that we take up communal living. Now understand that such an idea has benefits, but do we really need to live with others to make our own food? Can I not feel unity with humanity without actually living in close quarters with them? Would Hartmann himself be willing to give up his present life style to do what he suggests?
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Summary: reader from montana
Review: A very petty criticism. Where did Quinn get it? Sartre, Epicurus, perhaps Kierkegaard, or the French Anarchist. Actually, Camus may be the best bet. Either Quinn or the reviewer do no know much intellectual history to think such a common and simple thought is theirs.
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Summary: Where have I heard this before?
Review: This book, although interesting in many forms seems to have been taken from another source. I do not discredit the author for what he claims to be his own thoughts on the subject but I believe that Daniel Quinn said it much better. The use of certain terms seem to have been lifted directly from the pages of "Ishmael" or "My Ishmael". Though the ideas in all of these books need to be pushed forward and retold to others I felt as though the author was trying to become a leader himself. He seemed to be telling me "the right way to live". There is no right way to live for "ALL" people. I may be a bit bitter on the subject at the moment and may later regret these words but they state my feelings at the moment perfectly.
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Summary: Egalitarianism is what might bring the change!
Review: The author in this book has pointed out how our lifestyle and indeed, our entire worldwide modern civilization, is possible only because we are rapidly using up a 300-million-year-old non-renewable resource: ancient sunlight, principally in the form of oil, but also coal and gas. There are also figures and diagrams that indicate further that this resource - at current rates of consumption - will run out in our or our children's lifetime. There are economic aspects to these theories as well - for example, as oil becomes progressively less available, its price will rise. This rise in price will affect the price of everything made from or with oil - from plastics to manufactured goods to the food we eat produced by oil-powered farm machinery and transported in oil-powered trucks and trains. Particularly the book is about the nature, and the ways it has been misused. It also guides through a number of ways through which we can prevent the misuse and can undo the damages that has already been done so far. There are various aspects, which have been highlighted by the author, particularly those pertaining to oil conservation. There has been a lot of discussion in the book about the oil wastage and methods to prevent the same. There are also other detailed topics, which have been covered in this book and a lot of reference work has been carried out as well. This book is definitely neither a call for revolution nor anarchy. There are ways shown in the book about the older culture people who have literally survived successfully and about the younger culture (that's what we are!), who have been the cause of sudden damage, though these damages are reversible. The older cultures were particularly respectful as they knew that greed would lead to sudden decline of their race in entirety. This in particular we were unaware of and became greedy enough to snatch as much as possible in one go - who cares whether what you get or not, I have enough! - this has been the attitude we have been living from long time. This has been the way of the younger culture - and if we don't change our way soon we will be the cause of our own extinction. The author suggests that we need to wake up to the cold, clear reality of the situation we have created in our world, and the reasons behind why it is the way it is are as follows: - 1. The dominator younger culture sees everything in the world as potential food or material for itself. 2. It will grow and consume until there is nothing left to consume, and then our culture and our ecosystems will collapse, leaving billions of starving humans, polluted soil, air, and waters, and millions of dead species in its wake. 3. By adopting some of the lessons and worldviews of our ancestors - who lived in a stable fashion on the planet for at least hundred thousand years - we can change direction and create a sustainable and livable future for at least a portion of the planet. These facts have become esoteric truths, as intellectually we do understand that older culture view of the world was in fact more scientifically valid than ours. When we really touch this kind of understanding we then get transformed. This change further transforms us with our understanding of "how things work." Out of that understanding, our idea that all creation is part of us and us part of it - and therefore its' all sacred and has value - grows to certainty. This book I am sure will definitely change your perspective of viewing the nature and will surely bring a change for the good. I hope you will enjoy this book as much as I did. Happy reading!
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Summary: Life Changing--A Must Read!
Review: Thom Hartmann's "The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight" is the most comprehensive book I have ever read on the history of our planet's ecology and spirituality. Writing of both his personal experiences with indigenous cultures as well as his extensive research, he compares our "younger culture" of materialistic consumerism to the ecologically and spiritually healthy "older culture." In a style of writing which is easily accessible, his book shows what we have lost over the centuries as we have separated ourselves from one another, from the earth and from the Divine. The hope which Thom Hartmann's book offers is profound. Transformation of our world is possible and absolutely essential for the survival of the human race. He makes many suggestions for reconnecting to one another, to the earth and to the Divine. If enough people begin practicing the reality of "only love prevails" I believe that transformation will begin--transformation of human hearts, transformation of our younger culture and as a result, transformation of the planet. My husband and I are recommending this book to all of our friends and family, sending copies to those who can't afford to buy one themselves or notes with all pertinent information to those who would buy it. In less than one month we have already purchased five copies and will definitely be purchasing many more. If you only read one book this year, please let it be "The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight." It offers a new and hopeful perspective for healing our planet and insuring our future.
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Summary: Simple language so everyone can understand it
Review: First, I want to destroy the Kirkus review, which was nothing more than a typical answer written from the ivory tower of intellectualism. Obviously the reviewer has never studied any anthropology, or else I believe the reviewer would have been personally able to attest to tribes' abilities to live more peacefully and sustainably within their natural settings. It seems that the reviewer felt that his/her's intelligence was insulted by such seemingly oversimplified answers to global issues that must transcend understanding and easy solutions. Not so. Hartmann's solution to industrial societies' blind march into the depletion of stored energy sources (i.e. oil) is truthfully, while easily describable, very difficult to do. So while the simplest things are true in life, doing the simplest things is the hard part. I cannot stress enough that changing our cultural attitude about our place in the world (i.e. no longer believing we're gods to do whatever we want to the environment and powerless people through the frightening powers of religion and science) is terribly difficult. So while, I understand the reviewer's frustration that things seem too simple in Hartmann's 300 page all encompassing panacea, I would just like to challenge the reviewer to stop being a drain on limited natural resources that are fast disappearing. Oh, and that means not watching anymore TV, can you dig it? And you thought it's so simple... Hartmann's book tells us where we are now, what brought our ancestor's to this point, and where we want to go. Yeah, it's true how to get from where we are today to where we want to be is not so easy when you figure in 6 billion individualistic people with each person having a separate agenda. But hey Jesus has been preaching it for thousands of years anyway and no one's listening: don't live for yourself, live for one another and for the higher purpose - all life. Building a critical mass of people who know what's going on - for knowing is half the battle I learned from G.I. Joe - will create the opportunity for some positive changes to be set in motion and actually done. When enough people understand the first part of the book, then can the second and possibly the third part be digested and acted upon. Thanks for reading this, and I hope everyone forms their own informed opinion.
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Summary: Brilliant at times, but lacking in some places
Review: Beginning with a brilliant argument about how all life is made of sunlight--scientifically explained, actually--Hartmann makes a convincing case for sustainability. He also explains how tribal peoples were inherently sustainable, healthier, and how we can learn from their organizations and beliefs. His message is vital and lucid; however, I felt some of his solutions--"Reconnecting with God--directly," "living off the grid," and higher spiritual consciousness--in some ways only affirm what has been done for eons without a noticeable global effect. Otherwise, this is mostly on the mark.
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