Book Reviews
This is a lovely book - a great book to keep on your coffee table or bedside, open it up and read a few pages. It offers insightful information and effective strategies for making a positive impact in/on the world. It's perfect for those who are overwhelmed and feel paralyzed to make any type of dent. – A M Koenig, California
As I read through this book, I highlighted the pages that were of most interest to me. Now, I have ~50 ways that I personally will try to change the world. I was so impressed with this book, I ordered 12 copies to give to friends! Hopefully, they will highlight the pages that are most pressing for them and begin to take action. My only stipulation when giving the books away was that if they didn't plan to read the book and get active, they must pass the book on to someone else. – D Seymour, Pennsylvania
This book changed my life. Such simple suggestions that are easy to achieve, but add them up and suddenly you are living a different kind of life and thinking in a different way. If everyone on planet earth read this book and followed just one suggestion what a wonderful world it would be. – A Temelini, South Carolina
This is a great reference book; full of great ideas to improve the planet that we all live on, and also ideas to improve the lifestyles of people who are more dis-advantaged than we are. What you get are 365 ideas and plans for a "future course of action", which includes links on the Internet, which allows you to quickly to explore these ideas further. It is full of facts and figures on a wide variety of subjects. – Andrew, UK
I loved the book, but I have to say it's not what I'd consider a 'sit-down-and-read-in-one-afternoon' book. It's one you have to refer back to, or read through numerous times simply to absorb everything. Some of the 'ideas' for the day are very ambitious and couldn't be accomplished in just one day. As I said I love the book, it's well set out, well written (although the author seems to be set on making me feel bad for being an omnivore in some parts) and I've already started doing some of the suggested ideas. I think I'll buy this book....and a present for my friend who lent me her copy!!! – “White Tiger Lost Angel”, UK
The Everyday Activist: 365 Ways to Change the World (this is the Canadian title) by Michael Norton is my first book and is a good pick to start out 2007. The main idea of the book is that we can all make a difference in making the world a better place and offers up 365 ways that we can do it. Here is a sampling of the ideas.
* Support fair trade chocolate (March 24)
* Support the Hippo Roller, an easier way for people to fetch more water in developing countries (May 7)
* Start your own aid agency--it is easier than you think (May 26)
* On Canada Day, throw a neighborhood party (July 1)
* Become a local oracle (September 18)
* Stand up against violence against women (November 25)
Each day offers information about the problem and some practical steps one can take to make a difference along with web addresses and examples of how it could work. The idea of the book is to promote awareness and give people an opportunity to make a difference instead of just wishing someone else would. While I read the book cover to cover, it didn't take me that long and you really don't need to. It is one of those books that once you open it you feel more enlightened after five minutes or so and it is one that you will want to keep on a shelf to keep going back to. – Jordon Cooper, Canada
