All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes

Book Description

"Thoroughly enjoyable . . . an important document drawing more much-needed attention to the hidden history of a people both African and American."--Los Angeles Times Book Review.

Customer Reviews:

Through Angelou's Eyes.......2006-08-11

From purely a literary standpoint, I find ALL GOD'S CHILDREN NEED TRAVELING SHOES perhaps the best of Angelou's series of autobiographical works that I have encountered thus far. It is the fifth "installment," having been preceded by I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS, GATHER TOGETHER IN MY NAME, SINGIN' AND SWINGIN' AND GETTIN' MERRY LIKE CHRISTMAS, and THE HEART OF A WOMAN. While I suppose that any of these could be read in isolation, to do so would be analogous to reading a single chapter from a full-length novel. One may enjoy the contents of that single chapter but will miss all the background material that explains how the characters reached that point in time and space as well as everything that follows to explain and wrap-up the story. For the same reasons, one really should read each of Angelou's books and in chronological order, too. Consequently, if one is examining reader reviews before purchasing ALL GOD'S CHILDREN, and if this is the first of Angelou's books being considered, please wait. Reading the others first will enhance significantly the reader's enjoyment of this one.

Pure autobiographies tend, in my experience, to be rather dull reading for the most part. Where is the excitement in a list of events and dates? That sort of dry recitation of historical facts is the reason that most of us were likely bored to somnambulance by our high school history textbooks. Happily, this is not at all that sort of autobiography. What one finds in Angelou's books is the world seen through her eyes and interpreted by her mind, and she carries with her the filters built strand by strand by her life experiences.

What "life experiences"? Being born Black into a legally, socially, culturally and thoroughly segregated country. Being abandoned by one's father. Being shipped across country by one's mother to be raised by an aging grandparent. Feeling the constant scorn and belittlement fostered by racial segregation. Bearing a child when one is still herself a child. Being duped by another into prostitution. Failing at an attempt at marriage. On the other hand, conversing with such figures as Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. Touring Europe as member of a musical cast. Living in Africa. Angelou's experiences, both negative and positive, were emotionally extreme, or at least significant, events, and they created interpretative filters that are quite different from those of essentially all of her readers. This difference is what makes her books captivating to read and worthy of her readers' consideration.

I suggest that the epitome of Angelou's skill as a prose author of the first five books I have mentioned above comes in the closing chapter of ALL GOD'S CHILDREN. Her encounter with the Ewe tribal women in the marketplace in Ghana's village of Keta is expressed in nearly supernatural terms. In the actual event, she is merely mistaken for another person, but, to Angelou, the encounter firmly establishes Africa as her spiritual homeland, the origin of her own ancestors who, generations earlier, were sold into slavery in a strange land across the ocean. The skill with which she describes her feelings at this encounter is one to which any writer might aspire.

I must admit to another aspect of Angelou's writing that I find almost annoying, however, and that is her repeated and continuous reference to the effects of slavery. If any evil exists in the universe, if sin seeks an embodiment, if a cause for all the misery in the contemporary world must be identified, Angelou finds it in slavery. Judging solely by the attitude revealed in these five books, one could conclude only that all Caucasians are blue-eyed devils, that they alone made possible the eternal and unforgivable sin of enslavement, that no redemption is possible and that racial integration is never achievable or even desirable. If there is such a concept as "original sin," it has nothing to do with a mythological Adam or Eve in a "garden of Eden" but rather with the insufferable conceit of Whites and the horror of slavery, most particularly slavery in the United States. To judge by the attitude that pervades these five books, one would think that Angelou was herself born into slavery, exploited economically and sexually by her White masters, and denigrated to the very edge of sanity. Not to excuse or to minimize in any way the physical and emotional pain of slavery, its immorality or absence of any ethical justification whatsoever, but "methinks the lady doth protest too much." She claims for herself an understanding of the debasement of slavery that her own history does not support. She assumes a mantle as spokesperson for long dead generations that she is not qualified to wear. To what extent historical slavery and racial prejudice may bear the blame for what were her own poor choices in life I am hardly qualified to say, yet I would caution the reader to bear in mind the fact that we are seeing events through the author's intellectual filters and that no one's filters are totally objective.

Having said that, I hurriedly add that my critical observation should in no way deter anyone from reading Angelou's books. On the contrary, while I may feel that she is at times presumptuous in assuming spokesperson status on the topics of slavery and contemporary racial bigotry, her perceptions provide many revelations for her readers and are worth noting. On now to the next book of this series, A SONG FLUNG UP TO HEAVEN.

Her Poems.......2005-09-26

her poems are so great. They teach great valuable lessons that we should all here.

Great........2004-04-23

I thought it was a great book. It was my first ever read of Maya Angelou. I think the book has made me a fan of her. Her style of writing was mellifluous, sincere, and truthful.

I am not a very emotional person, but the part that made my eyes water was when Maya went to the market in Kato, as the book ended. She met Ewe women who instantly confused her for an Ewe. They were sure Maya was an Ewe decendant because of her features and tone of voice. Once, she was mistaken for a Bambara, and an Ahanta as well. It was beautiful. I admire Maya for her having fortitude and being curious and passionate. She loves her people and was more than willing to come back home to America to help them by working for Malcolm X, promoting civil rights, et al. I have great respect for her. She also learnt how to speak the Fanti language, which I would guess was not easy.

It was a great autobiography. I wonder what would have happened if she had married the Malian Fulfulde man.

Maya Angelou: My Hero.......2004-03-15

Maya Angelou's auto-biography reveals a loving and spiritual soul that many of today's readers don't get enough of. Her devoted and rich way of writing is very moving and will leave you in awe.
In his "journa", Maya Angelou confesses her opinions about different cultures around the world. Being and African-American and having lived in Africa, she writes with a really strong love for the people of that continent. She shows her love for the Christian religion and her son, Guy. The two of them moved through Cairo, Ghana, Liberia, and Egypt gracing others with her talents and liveliness. Even after enduring difficult times and tragedies, Maya's character stilled managed to gain self-control and keep her boldness to find a way out.
Maya is a poet, a performer, a writer, a traveler, a musician and a mother. Of all of her accomplishments, I was most impressed with her poetry which is occasionally expresses throughout this book. With her poetic voice, she turns her life story into a great and powerful poem. The moon is "red as fire over black hills" is an expression from one of her great poems that critics acknowledge. I think that is was a good idea to add quotes from many of her poems because then you not only learn her words, but you almost "become" her words. I really do look up to all of Maya Angelou's accomplishments.
I think that Maya Angelou's words will be very inspiring to readers all around. Not only is she inspiring to me, but to many others that have read her books. William McPherson, from the Washington Post Book World says,"Maya Angelou regards the world and herself with intelligence and wit; she regards the events of her life with style and grace". I agree with him that she is very inspirational in everything that she does.
This is a deservedly popular book about the amazing life, love and goals of Maya Angelou. I can only hope that this book will touch your heart like it did mine!

Maya Angelou: My Hero.......2004-02-27

Maya Angelou's autobiography reveals a loving and spiritual soul that many of today's readers aren't getting enough of. Her devoted and rich style of writing is very moving and will leave you in awe.
In his "journal", Maya Angelou confesses her opinion about different cultures around the world. Being an African- American and having lived in africa, she writes with a strong love for the people of that continent. She shows her love for the Christian religion and her son, Guy. The two of them moved through Cairo, Ghana, Liberia, and Egypt gracing others with her talents and liveliness. Even after enduring difficult times and tragedies, Maya stilled managed to gain self control and keep her boldness to find a way out.
Maya is a poet, a performer, a writer, a traveler, a musician and a great mother. of all of her accomplishments, I was most impresses with her poetry which is occasionally expressed throughout her book. With her poetic voice, she turns her life story into a great and powerful poem. "The moon is "red" as fire over black hills" is an expression from one of her great poems the critics acknowledge. I think that it was a good idea to add quotes from many of her poems because then you not only learn her words, but you almost "become" her words. I really do look up to all of Maya Angelou's accomplishments.
I think that Maya Angelou's words will be very inspiring to readers all around. Not only is she inspiring to me, but to many others that have read her books. William McPherson from the Washington Post Bookk World says, "Maya Angelou regards the world and herself with intelligence and wit; she regards the vents of her life with style and grace". I really do argee with him that she is very inspirational in everthing that she does.
This is a deservedly popular book about the amazing ife, love and goals of Maya Angelou. I can only hope that this book will touch your heart like it did mine.

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ALL GOD'S CHILDREN NEED TRAVELING SHOES
Angelou Maya
Manufacturer: Random House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000J4Y1CU

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All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes
Maya ANGELOU
Manufacturer: SOLD
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Leather Bound

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All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes
Maya ANGELOU
Manufacturer: Random House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes
Maya Angelou
Manufacturer: Vintage Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes
MAYA ANGELOU
Manufacturer: Recorded Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette

All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes (Leather Bound)

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All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes (Leather Bound)
Maya Angelou
Manufacturer: Easton Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Leather Bound

General | Poetry | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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Brand new leather bound book, accented in 22 kt gold.

All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes (MAYA ANGELOU CLASSICS, Volume 2)

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All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes (MAYA ANGELOU CLASSICS, Volume 2)
Maya Angelou
Manufacturer: Easton Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Leather Bound

All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes - Franklin Signed First Edition

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All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes - Franklin Signed First Edition
Maya Angelou
Manufacturer: The Franklin Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Leather Bound

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Memoirs | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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All Gods Children Need Traveling Shoes
Maya Angelou
Manufacturer: Easton Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Leather Bound
ASIN: B000KU9WQ8

Product Description

Brand new leather bound book, accented in 22 kt gold.

Amazon.com

Alvin Kernan, seeing no prospects in his native Wyoming, enlisted in the U.S. Navy in the spring of 1941. As a seaman on the U.S.S. Enterprise, he saw the destruction and smelled the fires still burning as the aircraft carrier returned to Pearl Harbor from maneuvers on the day after Japan's surprise attack. Years later he would see and smell much the same thing in Japanese harbors. In the time between, Kernan had some exceptional adventures, which are chronicled in Crossing the Line. This reflective memoir is utterly unpretentious in providing an engaging view of ordinary Americans at war. Leaving the grand historical themes for other writers, Kernan tells us what it was really like for the sailors in the fleet, during fierce combat as well as during some lively recreation.

Customer Reviews:

One of The Best.......2006-02-15

Alvin Kernan has written one of the best books on WW2 I have ever read, and I've read a lot of them. His descriptions of his wartime experiences are crisp, vivid, and relevant.

If any of us are ever tempted to generalize in a negative way about sailors in the U.S. Navy, I suggest they read this book all the way to the end. What Kernan went on to do after the war is just as impressive as what he did while he served Uncle Sam.

A wonderful little book.......2005-12-30

Alvin Kernan was a 17-year-old from a poor family when he enlisted in the Navy in 1941. He was assigned to the carrier Enterprise and was aboard on Dec 7, 1941. He served aboard carriers most of the war, including a tour aboard the Hornet and he was aboard when she was sunk. He spent most of the time with the torpedo squadrons and gives a vivid account of the Battle of Midway. Most war histories are written by or about the leaders and it is unusual to find someone who was there for all the battles but who was seeing it all from the bottom up. After the war, he went to college on the GI Bill (as did I) and eventually ended his career as dean of the graduate school at Princeton. This is a vivid and knowledgeable account of the carrier war from one who was there and is a skilled writer. Anyone interested in the navy in World War II should read this book.

A real page-turner!.......2005-07-25

. When you think of an east coast university professor who specializes in the humanities--Shakespearean literature, in this case--you probably won't be visualizing someone who started adulthood by engaging in vicious aerial gunnery duels with Japanese fighters and otherwise living the stressful, profane, hazardous life of an enlisted sailor on three World War II aircraft carriers, one of which was sunk while he was aboard. Such is the case, though, with retired Yale professor Alvin B. Kernan, author of "Crossing the Line," one of the most interesting and often gripping sagas of navy life that I've read.
. The book came as a surprise to me, on two counts. One, I knew that Kernan had been an aviation ordnanceman on the USS Enterprise during the Battle of Midway, and later an aerial gunner. But I had very little notion of the depth of his wartime experiences, not only as an aircrewman but also in escaping the sinking of the USS Hornet in the Guadalcanal battles and in a harrowing deployment aboard the escort carrier USS Suwanee (CVE-27). Suffice to say in this short review that Kernan earned a Navy Cross, a DFC, and five air medals from inside the turret of a TBF Avenger!
. And two, I had previously read Kernan's fictitious account of the Battle of Midway, "Love and Glory," which I thought was interesting but flawed in a number of regards (see my review on Amazon). For that reason, I was a little dubious about reading "Crossing the Line." Would this be another "interesting but flawed" piece of work that would cause me to keep my red pen handy while I read it? No. Crossing the Line is simply outstanding. Anyone with an interest in WWII naval air action will also want to read this book. I highly recommend it. Yes, there are a couple of minor nits that a very knowledgeable historian might want to pick, but they are so insignificant as to be unworthy of mentioning here. "Crossing the Line" will not disappoint you. In fact, you'll probably find it hard to put down.
. (Reviewed by R. W. Russell, Battle of Midway Roundtable, www.midway42.org)

A wonderful memoir of the life of a young Navy sailor during.......2001-03-05

Alvin Kernan's "Crossing the Line: A Bluejacket's World War II Odyssey" is a wonderful memoir of the life of a young Navy sailor during World War II. Written in a humorous and sophisticated writing style, it provides the reader with a strong sense of what it was like for a young boy to leave his home and spend four years growing up in the midst of a war at sea. I am sure that Kernan's experience parallels that of my grandfather, who left rural Arkansas for the first time ever as a young 17-year old to take part in large Pacific invasions. If only young people today could understand the sacrifice and hard work that these young men faced. Kernan vividly makes his youth come to life with "Crossing the Line." A must read for avid readers of Navy and World War II subjects.

A little-known modern classic.......1999-12-23

The modesty and intelligence of this amazing book are equalled only by the gripping story it tells. One of the best memoirs of youth, war and manhood I have ever seen.

Crossing the Line: A Bluejacket's Odyssey in World War II (Yale Library of Military History)

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Kernan's Best WWII Book

Crossing the Line: A Bluejacket's Odyssey in World War II (Yale Library of Military History)
Alvin B. Kernan
Manufacturer: Yale University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books

Naval | Military | History | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0300123159

Book Description

In this memoir of life aboard aircraft carriers during World War II, Alvin Kernan combines vivid recollections of his experience as a young enlisted sailor with a rich historical account of the Pacific war. Kernan served in many battles and was aboard the Hornet when it was sunk by torpedoes in the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands.
“One of the most arresting naval autobiographies yet published.”—Sir John Keegan
“An honest story of collective courage, evocative, well-written, and fixed before the colors fade.”—Kirkus Reviews
“[Kernan] recounts a wonderful and exciting American story about a poor farm boy from Wyoming who enlisted in the Navy. . . .[He] has written eight other books. I will go back and read them all.”—John Lehman, Air & Space
“Details . . . make the moment vivid; that is what it was like, on the Hornet in its last hours.”—Samuel Hynes, New York Times Book Review

Customer Reviews:

Kernan's Best WWII Book.......2007-10-01

When you think of a Princeton University professor who specializes in Shakespearean literature, you probably won't be visualizing someone who started adulthood by engaging in vicious aerial gunnery duels with Japanese fighters and otherwise living the stressful, profane, hazardous life of an enlisted sailor on three World War II aircraft carriers, one of which was sunk while he was aboard. Such is the case, though, with author Alvin B. Kernan. His wartime autobiography, "Crossing the Line," is one of the most interesting and often gripping sagas of navy life that I've read.

The book came as a surprise to me, on two counts. One, I knew that Kernan had been an aviation ordnanceman on the USS Enterprise during the Battle of Midway, and later an aerial gunner. But I had very little notion of the depth of his wartime experiences, not only as an aircrewman but also in escaping the sinking of the USS Hornet in the Guadalcanal battles and in a harrowing deployment aboard the escort carrier USS Suwanee. Suffice to say in this short review that Kernan earned a Navy Cross, a DFC, and five air medals from inside the turret of a TBF Avenger!

And two, I've also read Kernan's series of novels that relate to his wartime experiences: "Love and Glory," "Attack-Repeat-Attack," and "Fear In the Dark." I thought they were interesting but rather flawed (see my reviews on Amazon). For that reason, I was a little dubious about reading "Crossing the Line." Would this be another interesting but flawed piece of work that would cause me to keep my red pen handy while I read it? No. "Crossing the Line" is simply outstanding. Anyone with an interest in WWII naval air action will want to read this book. I highly recommend it. Yes, there are a couple of minor nits that a very knowledgeable historian might want to pick, but they are so insignificant as to be unworthy of mentioning here. "Crossing the Line" will not disappoint you. It is by far the author's best WWII book, and darned good by any measure.

CROSSING THE LINE A BLUEJACKET'S WORLD WAR II ODYSSEY

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CROSSING THE LINE A BLUEJACKET'S WORLD WAR II ODYSSEY
Alvin Kernan
Manufacturer: Naval Institute Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000M28I7S

Book Description

Although thinkers such as Thucydides, Rousseau and Hobbes are considered central to the realist tradition, Michael Williams re-evaluates their positions. Arguing that such philosophers were not concerned with methodological issues of rationality and anarchy, as commonly interpreted, Williams asserts that they wanted to establish political practices for leaders which would ensure order. His original interpretation of major thinkers will interest scholars of international relations and the history of ideas.

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Realism is commonly portrayed as theory that reduces international relations to pure power politics. Michael Williams provides an important reexamination of the Realist tradition and its relevance for contemporary international relations. Examining three thinkers commonly invoked as Realism's foremost proponents - Hobbes, Rousseau, and Morgenthau - the book shows that, far from advocating a crude realpolitik, Realism's most famous classical proponents actually stressed the need for a restrained exercise of power and a politics with ethics at its core. These ideas are more relevant than ever at a time when the nature of responsible responses to international problems are at the centre of contemporary political debate. This original interpretation of major thinkers will interest scholars of international relations and the history of ideas.

Book Description

The Story of Cassandra

Cassandra was the young and beautiful daughter of Priam, the last king of Troy. Apollo bestowed upon Cassandra a special giftÂ—the ability to see the future. But when she refused his favors, he twisted her gift with a curse, so no one would believe her prophecies.

Customer Reviews:

A Different Kind of Environmentalist, Perhaps?.......2006-05-25

In this book, the author skillfully co-opts the thinking and valuable contributions of those considered to be pro-people-oriented development, such as Susan George and Amartya Sen, as well as those considered to be anti-environmentalist, such as Julian Lincoln Simon, to peddle his brand of feel-good, evangelical environmentalism. The author does make an attempt to partially define some of his terms, such as `growth' and `development' but curiously refrains from defining many terms underlying his central concepts. On one hand, he buys into the popular notion that the situation at present is dire, but on the other hand, as an evangelical environmentalist, he departs from traditional apocalyptic environmental camps when he insists that while on the face of it, enormous challenges exist and that there is a very real possibility that these challenges could get worse, they are nonetheless challenges that humanity can overcome, so long as we exercise what he calls our `distinguished quality of consciousness'.

In the Prologue, he introduces the central theme of the book, Cassandra's Dilemma. In Greek myth, Cassandra had a double-edged curse: she could see the dangers threatening others, but could not prevent them. In Greek myth, even though Cassandra's predictions were always correct, no one believed her in advance of the outcome, thus whatever she foretold always came to pass. In modern times, the author means to invoke Cassandra as a representation of all those, from scientists to concerned citizen-environmentalists, who in increasing desperation advocate for a change in course, as they see humanity and the world it inhabits headed for destruction; yet, no one it seems (or so they say) believes them.

However, in Greek myth, Cassandra was always correct, but in modern reality, the scientists and concerned citizen-environmentalists have had a less than enviable track record in the prediction business. Too often, the most vocal of the scientists and concerned citizen-environmentalists, much like the boy who cried wolf, sound the environmental alarm and make dire predictions, only to see the alarms and predictions turn out to be false. Moreover, in contrast to the mythical Cassandra, these doomsayers command a ready following of believers, many of whom are in positions of power and authority.

Atkisson presents the architects of World3- a mathematical computer model that consistently produced a pattern of results characterized by rapid exponential growth followed by collapse five or more decades from the starting point, who later become the authors of the book Limits to Growth based on the model, as the modern-day equivalent of Cassandra. As he sees it, the role of Cassandra is a no-win situation, as success in conveying a message of doom leads to being proven wrong (the crisis is averted because people see it), while failure in conveying the same message leads to catastrophe (the crisis comes to pass because people do not see it). However, the problem with this warped logic is that his position assumes automatically that any assertion made by the Cassandra-figure is correct, and regrettably, history has shown repeatedly that this is not the case. Plainly speaking, the Cassandra-figure is ultimately proven wrong simply because the basis for his or her prediction was not right in the first place.

Yet, when proven wrong, the modern-day Cassandra-figure is quick to point out, most incorrectly, that people got his or her message and averted the crisis (even though most of the people may have never heard of the person), or, in more insidious cases, that although the specific prediction was right, the timing was wrong, and the prophecy of doom may yet be fulfilled, albeit sometime in the conveniently vague future (this last statement has some rather disturbing connotations of a religious, Millennial hue). As such, being a Cassandra-figure is actually a win-win situation, and a profitable one at that, and not a lose-lose or Catch-22 proposition, as Atkisson would like us to believe, since many of them have the ear of the powerful, influential people in industry, academia, government and activist circles.

In reading this book, I think the real problem Atkisson tries to address does not have anything to do with Cassandra's Dilemma, but everything to do with increasing levels of public apathy with regard to environmental issues. Having been fed a steady diet of bad news, and witnessing the dire predictions of doomsayers prove false (while continuing to do the very things that the Cassandra-figure says will bring about our eventual downfall), most of the public no longer seems to care about the environment in the way that Atkisson and other eco-hip luminaries feel that they should. Incidentally, Lester Brown acknowledges this in his book Plan B, where he states that terrorism has taken center stage in a world beset with numerous environmental problems.

Thus, the real problem, as far as Atkisson and other Mother Earth Gurus see it, has to do with the level of belief, and not necessarily whether or not people believe, in the notion that there are pressing environmental concerns. In other words, he laments that everyone is not buying their b------t (props go out to Penn & Teller for that last bit!). True to form, Atkisson does not feel that the real problem turns on exactly what he and other concerned citizen-environmentalists believe, and their approach to advocating this belief. One can see evidence of this in the first chapter, where Atkisson extols upon the virtues of the Limits to Growth, particularly the governing equation underlying the mathematical model World3 made world famous in the 1970s. The very fact that folks can presume that everything worthwhile in the world can be distilled into a mathematical equation strikes one as arrogant and foolish and truly boggles this reviewer's mind. The model, like Atkisson's argument, rests on certain assumptions, and if any one of those assumptions are incorrect, then so too is the conclusion flowing from the argument or model.

Therein exists the real problem. Too often, the predictions of the doomsayers rest on faulty assumptions, assumptions which under certain limited contexts hold, but when generalized fall apart. Too often their view of the current state of affairs is framed in ways that do not agree with the actual situation. These faulty assumptions generally flow from a certain type of outlook, a particular set of biases that, frankly, are very negative, and by themselves adequately explain why the Cassandras almost always get it wrong. Who was it that said `the fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars but in ourselves'? Perhaps he should have said, `the flaw, my dear Cassandra, lies not in the stars, but in yourself', instead.

A Good Optimistic Outlook.......2004-08-31

Don't be put off by the cover photo. This is a great overview of the environmental issue. But as opposed to many books by environmental doomsday prophets, this book tells a cautionary tale but also offers hope. It also gives some practical examples of how we can affect change. Although it gets a bit cheesy at times, Attkisson's optimism is refreshing.

Hip Shooter with a Big Heart.......2003-02-15

Believing in Cassandra has terrific quotes; the story about how long it took to lick scurvy was fascinating and the central message is hard to argue with.

Here are a couple of editorial observations:

Shooting from the Hip
The book is sprinkled with loose analogies that weaken the author's position. For example, on page 141 AtKisson says people are in a "lemming-like stampede over the cliffs of history." This is a weak analogy because lemmings don't jump off cliffs. What's more, AtKisson missed an opportunity to dig into the possibility that population crashes are a part of nature. According to the Canadian Science Journal, Lemmings don't jump off cliffs and their population increases up to 500 times then crashes to almost nothing as part of a natural cycle. Dr. Charley Krebs figured this out and came up with something called the Krebs Effect or Fence Effect.

Economic Translation
AtKisson doesn't talk much about debt. The US consumer is more in debt than at any time since WWII. Most of the bad, unsustainable consumerism that he talks about is made possible by car loans, home equity loans, cheap mortgages and credit cards. Raising interest rates is very simple way to kill wasteful consumer spending, conserve natural resources -- and keep the world in an economic depression. The Fed could do it tomorrow.

Getting to the Point
AtKisson writes at length about the sustainable lifestyle, but waits until page 173 (Seven Principles of Sustainability) to describe what the lifestyle is.

Unnecessary Paraphrasing
Karl-Henrik Robert's 23rd draft of System Conditions was good enough to send to every household and school in Sweden but for some reason, AtKisson rephrased it for his readers. Surprisingly, when I looked up the actual wording in the footnotes, it turns out to be precise, agreeable and actionable.

Irony and Sarcasm
I don't know why AtKisson closes with a quote from Henry Ford.

I believe in AtKisson's central message. If the book were more tightly written I'd give it more stars.

Believe AtKisson.......2001-11-14

Don't stop, don't even slow down - hit the button right now to add this book to your shopping cart. You'll be glad you did. Once you have read it, be sure to pass it on. It combines a message of urgency with an outlook of hope. It made me cry, but it made me think. Alan AtKisson holds a mirror up to all of us, and makes us look at ourselves. He never indicts us, or judges us, and he shares the blame, the sorrow, and the hope right along with us. He brings a positive message into a gloom and doom movement.

Believing Cassandra.......2001-06-18

Excellent review of the global warming issue, including history and current aspects, and a good introduction for those new to this concern. Addresses the points raised by those who do not consider this a serious concern. While raising awareness, also points to possible actions individuals can take. Very positive approach to a very serious contemporary issue.

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