Harmony

By: Charles HRH The Prince of Wales

Narrated by: Charles HRH The Prince of Wales

Length: 11 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's Summary

For the first time, HRH The Prince of Wales shares his views on how our most pressing modern challenges - from climate change to poverty - are rooted in mankind's disharmony with nature, presenting a compelling case that the solution lies in our ability to regain a balance with the world around us.

With its holistic approach, this provocative and well-reasoned book takes the discussion of sustainability and climate change in a new direction. Prince Charles shows how the solutions to problems like climate change lie not only in technology but in our ability to change the way we view the modern world.

For decades, the Prince of Wales has been studying a wide array of disciplines to understand every aspect of man's impact on the natural world, and in that time he has examined everything from architecture to organic farming to sustainable economics. Now, for the first time, he speaks out about his years of research, presenting a fascinating look at how modern industrialization has led us to a state of disharmony with nature, created climate change, and pushed us to the brink of disaster.

From the rice farms of India to the prairies of America's corn belt, from the temples of Ancient Egypt to the laboratories of industrial designers, Harmony spans the globe to identify the different ways that contemporary life has abandoned the hard-earned practices of our history, a shift that has spurred a host of social problems and accelerated climate change.

Drawing on cases from farming, health care, transportation, and design, the Prince of Wales also offers solutions for change, creating a new vision for our world, one that incorporates the traditional wisdom of our past with the modern science of our present to avert catastrophe. In the end, Harmony paints a holistic portrait of what we as a species have lost in the modern age, while outlining the steps we can take to regain the harmony of our ancestors.

©2010 Charles, HRH The Prince of Wales (P)2010 HarperCollins Publishers

An Excellent Exploration

You probably already know each of the concepts and talking points presented in this well written book, but rather than being a simple review the book offers a "big picture" view. To me the material was organized in such a compelling and intelligent way that it transcends many of the more piecemeal offerings available. Charles is able to weave together what is wrong with the way we are living in the world and what needs to be done to fix the problem beautifully.

Be prepared--this is not an easy listen. It can become overwhelming to have all the woes of the world laid neatly at your feet. And yes, occasionally the book becomes the "blame game". It liberally spreads the blame around and in doing so it brings many of our personal choices under scrutiny. You will find yourself rethinking simple decisions and choices you make each day. It is necessary and humbling to see how a myriad of small things are compounded into big problems with a global impact.

I thought Charles did a good job with the narration. However, several friends found his tone and manner off putting. I agree that his speaking style takes a bit of time to settle into--but he speaks with passion and laughing sarcasm very effectively.

This is a book that needs to be heard and acted upon. Well worth the time.

30 of 33 people found this review helpful

Inspired and inspiring

Would you consider the audio edition of Harmony to be better than the print version?

Yes.

What did you like best about this story?

The message of unity in the physical and spiritual world, supported by HRH's deep knowledge of history, art, archeology and philosophy.

What does Charles, HRH The Prince of Wales bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Because it is read by the author, his passion for the subject comes through and it feels like a conversation. Also, he has a fabulous accent.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The whole thing! I have listened 3 times now.

Any additional comments?

HRH, The Prince of Wales has demonstrated himself to be a thoughtful, creative and innovative thinker. It is heartening to think that someone with such an outlook and such insight will be king of the British Commonwealth one day.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Inspiring

Would you consider the audio edition of Harmony to be better than the print version?

I picked this book up on a lark and am absolutely amazed and inspired by this work. I had no idea who this man is (although of course know his face and name) and am thrilled to find such an inspiration in a man of authority. I will listen to this again and again.

Any additional comments?

I found listening to HRH actually read his book added a lot to the understanding.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

YES! YES! YES!

The information presented here is not new material, but HRH Prince Charles eloquently discusses these topics seriously, respectfully, and with the assumption that we can, together, do something to fix these social-environmental problems, to restore harmony with earth and humanity. EVERYONE should listen to this book.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

well argued philosophy for survival

Would you listen to Harmony again? Why?

I almost certainly will, because it is a reminder of the philosophical underpinnings for my 20 year striving to live a sustainable life and respect the Earth and all her creatures.

What did you like best about this story?

As well as articulating a philosophy for the survival of the Earth and our species and others, I appreciated the descriptions of the various educational and environmental initiatives that so many people are undertaking. They were inspiring. Though I believe we have gone too far down our current path of greed and destruction to avoid catastrophe, it is a moral imperative for each of us to do what we can to reverse the headlong rush to destroy this planet that sustains us.

Which character – as performed by Charles, HRH The Prince of Wales – was your favorite?

Charles! He has striven for decades to improve the world, and has mostly been criticized for it. I admire his persistence.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Needs more chapter breaks for my average intellect

I liked this book. The narration was quite good. The ideas advanced in the book, particularly on all things sustainable and durable, are sensible and timely. At the risk of sounding picayune, I do think the book would be easier to listen to if the chapters were shorter. This is an interesting read. The writing, editing and narration are jolly good.

7 of 9 people found this review helpful

Fantastic

Now I am going to read it again. I love his ideas. Please pass this one on.