The Fifth Sacred Thing

De: Starhawk

Narrado por: Maya Lilly

One act of courage can change the world.

The year is 2048. Climate change and bio-warfare have ravaged much of the Earth, and societal meltdown has splintered the US into fragments. But out of the ruins, Northern California has built a thriving culture based on respect for the four sacred things: air, fire, water and earth.

The Fifth Sacred Thing is an epic tale of freedom and slavery, love and war, and the potential futures of humankind. It tells of a 21st century California clan caught between two clashing worlds: one based on tolerance, the other on repression. It is both a love story between two people and a war story between two opposing ideals.

©1993, 1994 Miriam Simos (P)2016 Miriam Simos

fantastic story well read, sang and emoted.

I've read this story in book form and adored it as a work of optimiysticism. The narrator exalts the story with her glorious interpretation, bringing to life the music found within.
It remains a classic for the inclusive awakening of what our hearts wish is possible. An anthem to solar/lunar punks, lovevolutionists, and those looking beyond the pains of war.
There is a place for all of us, if we choose it.

A parable for our world

This work of art is a parable for our world, even more relevant today than when I first read it decades ago. California in civil war, corporations and the wealthy against the resistance, southern California without water... And the Bay Area isolated from the rest, a non-violent diverse inclusive society with clean flowing surface water everywhere, gardens and food forests free for all, no one hungry, no one poor, everyone with a home and love and something to contribute. Some might call it utopian but a Permaculture Designer might call it plausible. A life-sustaining vision either way, a guiding light for us to consider, a choice we could make.

The questions at the heart of this enchanting and riveting tale are about being free, about choosing a lifestyle that allows the Earth and all Her complex diversity to thrive, about being non violent in the face of extreme ruthless aggression. about love, magic, healing, and the intelligence of Nature. It offers a picture of a local direct democracy society that respects Nature, a society choosing to live simply and co-creatively within the limits of what Mother Earth can handle

There are so many colorful diverse complex and iconic characters in this cast and they're not all human. They're masterfully given voice by this gifted narrator, she does so much more than read the text, you feel like you're listening to radio theatre, a different voice for every character.
Once I started listening I couldn't stop. This is one of those special books for everyone to read or hear...and think about.

Amazing narrator and beautiful story

I enjoyed this book so much. The narrator or does a great job bringing the story to life. There are great lessons to be learned in this book.

Read Me

One of my favorite books. Pulls no punches grappling with a confrontation with evil, and at its heart is a sweet vast terrain of the the possible. I read it every 10 years or so. It always speaks to something new in me.

Changed my life

This book moved and inspired me like no other. it was a gripping story with deep currents moving through. It truly changed the way I think and gave me vision. Highly, highly recommend.

A fantastical outlook on issues we face today!

Can non-violence actually prevail? What would be necessary for it to succeed on a wide scale? This story brings hope amid our current world, a world still bent on war and bombs.

Indigenous wisdom expropriation

Love the story and the characters. This is the ecotopia we long for, with its complications in relationships but beauty and wisdom. My heart yearns for this place and feels alive with the possibility of fighting for it in my own world. Highly recommend to anyone looking for strong, well written protagonists, indigenous wisdom, and a bit of magic.

Must read!

An unnerving foretelling of future times to come should we continue our current trajectory. This book breaths hope and magic into my soul!

Move over Star Trek, this is the society i want

loved the premise, the characters, all of it. has come into my top 10 books

A SEDITIOUS PIECE OF LITERATURE

This charismatic book is absolutely incredible, contained within is the power to change our lives 🙏