Jeff

I love Kunstlers other book "The Long Emergency", his blog and interviews but was a bit disappointed by this novel. The story is a bit flat and predictable. The descriptions of the post collapse society was interesting, but left me wanting more detail on the characters. A very one dimensional story.

It's an OK listen one time through, but doubt I'll listen to it again.

After studying Buddhism on and off for 6 years I have to say this book has drawn me closer to the teachings. It's a wonderful story of how we are woven into each other's lives and how one person can affect the lives of many. The Buddhist teaching that "one candle can light thousands of other candles and not have it's life shortened." really applies to this story.

This quote from Daisaku Ikeda used in the book pretty much sums it up....

" I feel most deeply I have done something creative when I've thrown myself wholeheartedly into a task and thought it through instinctively to it's conclusion, and thusly I've won a struggle to enlarge myself. It is a matter of sweat and tears.

The creative life demands constant effort to improve one's thoughts and actions. Perhaps the dynamism involved in the efforts is the most important thing. You will pass through storms and you may suffer defeat. The essence of the creative life however, is to persevere in the face of defeat and to follow the rainbow within your heart.

Indulgence and indolence are not creative. Complaints and evasions are cowardly, and corrupt life's natural tendency at creation. The person who gives up the fight for creativeness is headed, ultimately, to the hell that destroys all life.

You must never slacken in the efforts to build new lives for yourselves.

Creativeness means pushing open the heavy door to life. This is not an easy struggle. Indeed, it may be the hardest task in the world. For opening the door to your own life is more difficult than opening the doors to the mysteries of the universe but, the act of opening your door vindicates your existence as a human being and makes life worth living. No one is lonelier or unhappier than the person that does no know the pure joy of creating a life for himself.

To be human is not merely to stand erect and manifest reason and intellect.

To be human in the full sense of the word is to lead a creative life."

I'm on my second listen and enjoying just as much this time around, if not more.

Wonderful story that I wished had been a bit longer. Actually laughed out loud a few times. The teachings are worked in the story in a non-obtuse way making it quite listenable to those not interested in Buddhism.

After owning a couple of Joel's other books, I was very happy to see him finally offering a reading of his new work. You can hear the passion in his voice and feel the deep belief in the messages he is relaying about our food, government and state of family life in America. He is an excellent speaker and his narration is superb.

I found the book's message very moving and at the end when Joel's voice was actually breaking with emotion talking about his farm and family, I also had tears in my eyes. As one who feels the same love for his farm and lifestyle it really struck a chord. The message is powerful and the logic is as sane as it gets.

I highly recommend this book. In fact, I can't recommend it enough. Download it and I guarantee you will not be disappointed. It might just change your perspective on life. It reaffirmed mine.

I found the person/voice reading book exceeding annoying. Explaining every detail of the equipment got old really quick. Also the referencing of God, Fox news and very conservative world views wore me a bit thin. A great reference piece for learning what you will need in a survival situation, but a horrible novel....

Wishing I had let this one pass and saved my credits. Try "Earth Abides". It's one my favorite books dealing with a societal collapse plot line.

Although skeptical at first, I gave the program a try. By the end of the first week I was seeing progress. As I worked my way through the audio program I decided to also get the physical book as a point of reference.

I highly recommend this book to clear the cobwebs and focus your creative energies.

Palast's reporting for the BBC of the Bush/NeoCon crime family are well documented and concise. The humor injected lightens the mood of the otherwise depressing/disgusting subject matter of lies and deception perpetrated on the American people and the world at large.

Everyone who voted for Bush needs to read this book. For the rest of us, it confirms what we already suspected or knew.

This is an excellent piece of straight up journalism. The world needs more journalists like Palast instead of the those in the talking head media we have today who are afraid to investigate the real story, as ugly as it may be.

Highly recommended.

I've read several books on Hendrix and by far Room Full of Mirrors gave me a glimpse of the real Jimi. A complete story from a rough and troublesome childhood to rock God.

I highly recommend this book for any fan wanting to know the real story of the Voodoo child.