Synopses & Reviews
It would be a perfect world if everyone could quit their jobs and devote themselves fully to the causes they believed in. Instead,
The Better World Handbookshows caring, but busy people how to live out their progressive values
andhave a life! The principle behind this engaging guide is to incorporate everyday activism into even the most mundane areas of our lives-like grocery shopping, banking, eating, reading the newspaper, and working.
The book begins with a concise summary of our society's most pressing problems that lead directly to seven foundations necessary for building a better world: economic fairness, comprehensive peace, ecological sustainability, deep democracy, social justice, a culture of simplicity, and revitalized community. Subsequent chapters are organized around intuitive topics such as Food, Money, Transportation, Work, and Media, focusing on activities that support the seven foundations for a better world. A purchase can allow a locally owned business to thrive; money invested in the right bank can create opportunities for poor communities; a vacation can contribute to preserving wilderness areas; tuning-in to public and alternative media can put readers back in control of their thoughts, feelings and values that mainstream media marginalize.
Practical and extremely well researched by four university instructors who have synthesized knowledge from a wide variety of sources, The Better World Handbookprovides readers with the essential information they need to take effective actions that will make a difference across the entire spectrum of the world's problems.
Marketing
National print advertising
National print, radio, and web publicity
Author events in Boulder and Denver
Co-op available
All four authors live in Boulder, Colorado where they are instructors at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Each author is deeply committed to activism.
Review
"Cynicism is the social disease of our age. Cynicism is what passes for
insight when courage and vision are lacking. If there is such a thing as a
single cure for cynicism, this book is it. The Better World Handbook gives us a
step-by-step 'blueprint' for creating conscious global citizens. It's a manual
for better living that you will find yourself using over and over again."
Kevin Danaher, cofounder, Global Exchange; author, Ten Reasons for Abolishing
the World Bank and the IMF
Review
"This handbook helps you answer that age-old question, 'What can I do?'
With the help of the handbook, it turns out you can easily do a lot. Buy it,
share it or get it from the library, but most of all, use it to change our
world for the better. This is an impressive resource for people who want their
everyday actions to reflect caring and compassion for the environment and
others."
Betsy Taylor, executive director, Center for a New American Dream
Review
"The Revolution is not just around the corner, it's around every
corner. I love this old saying because it captures the important truth
highlighted in this book: The world can be changed through action in our
everyday lives where we spend our money, how we help out in our community,
the ways we travel. This practical, inspiring handbook shows us that small
improvements can add up to a big difference in our world."
Jay Walljasper, editor, Utne Reader; co-author, Visionaries: People and Ideas
that Can Change Your Life
Review
"The Better World Handbook provides a wealth of practical ideas for
transforming our everyday activities of shopping, living, and working into an
artful way of life that is more sustainable, just, and meaningful."
Duane Elgin, author, Voluntary Simplicity and Promise Ahead
Review
"This is exactly the resource consumers need to help create
a sustainable world. The extensive background information and action steps are
great tools for anyone looking for ways to make change happen now!" Alisa
Gravitz, executive director, Co-op America
Review
"Wow! What an incredible resource! It reminds me that
what people really want out of life is to make a difference and have some
fun, and this book tells you how to do both at the same time. We in the
Simplicity movement encourage people to buy less stuff, but books are
exempt particularly books like this!" Cecile Andrews, author, The Circle of Simplicity: Return to the Good Life
Review
"An excellent look at issues we face and concrete
actions--small and large--that we can take to address them. The book also
includes a large collection of useful resources." Paul Loeb, author, Soul of a Citizen: Living With Conviction in a Cynical
Time
Review
"People everywhere are hungry for meaning and
purpose, wanting to make a difference, and be of service to something
larger than themselves. The Better World Handbook provides valuable
information and resources to manifest these intentions into practical
reality. Keep a copy on your desk or reference shelf and use
it." Michael Toms, CEO, New Dimensions Broadcasting Network; host and executive
producer, the internationally syndicated "New Dimensions" radio interview
series; co-author, True Work: Doing What You Love and Loving What You Do
Review
"We can make the world a better place and this book
shows you how easy it is to really make a difference. I highly recommend
that you buy it, use it and enjoy what you can do to help create positive
change." Jeffrey Hollender, president, Seventh Generation; author, How to Make the
World a Better Place
Review
"This is a very useful resource. If you are wondering
how to start making social change, start with this
Handbook." Rabbi Michael Lerner, editor, Tikkun magazine
Synopsis
The Better World Handbook shows ordinary, caring people how to live out their values and have a life as well! This user-friendly guide incorporates everyday
activism every area of our busy lives like grocery shopping, banking, eating,
reading the newspaper, and working.
About the Author
Ellis Jones, Ross Haenfler and Brett Johnson are
college instructors and PhD candidates at the University of Colorado,
Boulder.
Ellis Jones received his Master's Degree in International Peace Studies
from Notre Dame, and then spent the next 2 years of his life in the Peace
Corps teaching Panamanian students and teachers to care for their
rainforests. Since his return to university life, Ellis has focused all
of his energies on bridging the gap between academics, activists and the
average citizen.
Ross Haenfler emerged from the straight edge punk rock scene to study,
teach, and participate in social movements. His courses include U.S.
Social Movements, Nonviolence, Implementing Social Change, and Self &
Consciousness. Each class creates possibilities for students to live more
fulfilling lives while making a difference in the world.
Brett Johnson has been a dedicated member of the environmental and simple
living movements for years. He coordinates his apartment complex's
composting program, leads voluntary simplicity workshops, and is an
Eco-cycle block leader.
Table of Contents
Preface
Building A Better World
The 7 Foundations Of A Better World
Actions For A Better World
Chapter 1 -- Money
Chapter 2 -- Shopping
Chapter 3 -- Food
Chapter 4 -- Personal
Chapter 5 -- Friends & Family
Chapter 6 -- Community
Chapter 7 -- Home
Chapter 8 -- Work
Chapter 9 -- Media
Chapter 10 - Politics
Chapter 11 - Transportation
Chapter 12 - Travel
Chapter 13 - Organizations
Index
Tear Out Shopping Guides
How You Can Help