While I was at Earth Spirit Rising, listening to interesting speakers mention many different authors and books – and walking around the Grailville book store transplanted to Xavier – I of course bought books.
I’ve heard lots about Thomas Berry and Brian Swimme, and their writings. Thomas, well known to many at the conference, left the planet just a few weeks before. A short clip of him reading one of his poems, and then leading us in it, was part of one evening. So I bought the book they wrote together – The Universe Story – A Celebration of the Unfolding of the Cosmos. David C. Korten was one of the speakers, and I ended up with 2 of his books: the impactful The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth Community, and the more recent Agenda for a New Economy: from Phantom Wealth to Real Wealth.
The one I’m going to read first, though, was not mentioned by anyone, but just sat quite modestly on a shelf, waiting to see if I’d notice. Ecotopia, a novel by Ernest Callenbach, was called “An environmental classic” by Time, and actually published in 1975. I am a Utopian, and love this writing, which is always a search for the life the writer knows is possible, but can’t find. I’m surprised I haven’t written one.
Utopians imagine down to the smallest detail how life would work day to day in a world where society is perfect, especially in terms of the issue they are passionate about. This book, then, is not about a brave new world, but a ‘green new world’. And it’s set in the nation created when northern California, Oregon and Washington State seceded from the Union. Can’t wait to read it!