The Story of Stuff

How Our Obsession with Stuff is Trashing the Planet, Our Communities, and Our Health-and a Vision for Change

By: Annie Leonard

Narrated by: Annie Leonard

A classic exposé in company with An Inconvenient Truth and Silent Spring, The Story of Stuff expands on the celebrated documentary exploring the threat of overconsumption on the environment, economy, and our health. Leonard examines the “stuff” we use everyday, offering a galvanizing critique and steps for a changed planet.

The Story of Stuff was received with widespread enthusiasm in hardcover, by everyone from Stephen Colbert to Tavis Smiley to George Stephanopolous on Good Morning America, as well as far-reaching print and blog coverage. Uncovering and communicating a critically important idea—that there is an intentional system behind our patterns of consumption and disposal—Annie Leonard transforms how we think about our lives and our relationship to the planet.

From sneaking into factories and dumps around the world to visiting textile workers in Haiti and children mining coltan for cell phones in the Congo, Leonard, named one of Time magazine’s 100 environmental heroes of 2009, highlights each step of the materials economy and its actual effect on the earth and the people who live near sites like these.

With curiosity, compassion, and humor, Leonard shares concrete steps for taking action at the individual and political level that will bring about sustainability, community health, and economic justice. Embraced by teachers, parents, churches, community centers, activists, and everyday readers, The Story of Stuff will be a long-lived classic.

A Must Read Book

What made the experience of listening to The Story of Stuff the most enjoyable?

Reading The Story of Stuff made me feel like I was living in another world. I do not educate myself to the harmful tradgic events surround me. I carelessly live my life unaware of the damage I could be causing my mind or body. Change is difficult but I am seriously working on some issues.

What did you like best about this story?

The whole book was an adventure in awareness, growth and society.

Which character – as performed by Annie Leonard – was your favorite?

No one character comes to mind. All references were worthwhile.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes! I may not have wanted to listen to this book but it was one that I needed to listen too.

Any additional comments?

How do we educate other about the abuses going on in our society and in third world countries.

Important book

Annie Leonard has done extensive research on the impact of our consumerist lifestyles in North America in particular. At the same time she has made a sincere attempt to make the content accessible to all, on a topic that should be of concern to everyone on the planet, but in particular those of us who by our everyday choices can reduce our disproportionate impact on the planet for current and future generations. I will buy this book for any of my friends or family who would be willing to listen to it or read it. I wish it were required reading in schools.

Life changing.

This is a must read. Sobering and inspiring. Can we make this a required read in schools??

It’s the 2020’s now and still terribly true

I’ve always loved this book and the messages behind it!! Terrible the US has only dug deeper into the landfill that will be it’s grave.

an excellent entry point

Annie does an excellent job at breaking down these very complicated sustainability issues into clear, concise language. that quality makes this book a wonderful starting point for those who have growing concerns about climate change and our environment.