Dreams

Jensen's furthest-reaching book yet, Dreams challenges the "destructive nihilism" of writers like Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris who believe that there is no reality outside what can be measured using the tools of science. He introduces the mythologies of ancient cultures and modern indigenous peoples as evidence of alternative ways of understanding reality, informed by thinkers such as American Indian writer Jack Forbes, theologian and American Indian rights activist Vine Deloria, Shaman Martin Prechtel, Dakota activist and scholar Waziyatawin, and Okanagan Indian writer Jeannette Armstrong. He draws on the wisdom of Dr. Paul Staments, author of Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World, sociologist Stanley Aronowitz, who discusses science's lack of accountability to the earth, and many more. As in his other books, Jensen draws heavily from his own life experience living alongside the frogs, redwoods, snails, birds and bears of the upper northwest, about which he writes with exquisite tenderness.

Having taken on the daunting task of understanding one's dreams as a source of knowledge, Jensen achieves the near-impossible in this breathtakingly brave and ambitious new work.

This compelling work of social and ecological philosophy by one of the most important thinkers of the deep ecology movement, examines the spiritual and philosophical beliefs of indigenous peoples, great contemporary thinkers, sociologists and scientists to provide a comprehensive exposition of Jensen's personal belief system and the underpinnings of his work in the radical environmental movement. Topics explored range from fungi to species extinction to materialism and monotheism. The volume will appeal to environmentalists and general readers interested Jensen's thoughts on modern civilization and nature. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)