The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight

Ecology and spirituality are deftly intertwined in this well-written discussion of how we can save and preserve life on earth. Vermont author Thom Hartman offers a highly persuasive argument for adopting the spiritual values of our ancient ancestors, which means living with a strong connection to the earth as well as the sun that nourishes us all. Nowadays, humans often perceive themselves as separate from nature and born to dominate it, says Hartman who lays out some frightening, albeit thorough, research on the destruction of the planet. But as the book progresses, he guides readers into a convincing and intelligent vision for reversing our destructive ways.

Mostly, we could all use an attitude adjustment. For example, he explains how native and tribal cultures often considered all forms of life to be as sacred as human life--an attitude that may be one of our best shots at planetary longevity. Hartman devotes his final section to "What the Average Person Can Do", which includes the chapters "Turn Off the TV", "The Modern-day Tribe: Intentional Community" and "Reinventing Our Daily Lives and Rituals". --Gail Hudson

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US Presidential Candidates 2008 need to read this! - Rated
As all the other reviewers have said - this book is vitally important for the planet. But it is also an interesting look at the deeper meaning of life and what this means to each person through his or her own life.

I really do recommend it and hope that more and more people read it.

Inspiring and written by a man who knows his stuff - Rated
I have just read this book and found it (to coin a cheesey phrase) 'Life Changing'. I have read other books along these lines but so far this one has had a more profound affect. Some of what is written I have come across in other places but having it backed up by science and historic fact (of which this book prompted me to do some of my own research) seemed to make it that bit more understandable and sadly at times depressing and frightening. Yet the last part of the book leaves you hopeful, in fact I was reading the final parts at an outdoor coffee shop at my local garden centre, some of the closing chapters made such sense and struck a chord that the whole place around me seemed to come alive like never before. I thoroughly recommend this book.

Mind-blowing!! - Rated
This truly IS one of the most important books you will ever read in your life. I have been as guilty as most at turning a blind eye at the way the world is run, and the damage we are causing the planet, I suppose beleiving that "how can I make any difference" is justification for not making a difference. Also thinking that the tipping point into disaster was way off.....not so, it is right on our doorstep and we ALL need to make changes to save the Earth. This book has inspired me to look into taking the neccessary steps to make those changes, for me it is intentional eco-village communites, and I am amazed at how many pioneering groups there are like this in the world, and just how lightly we can live on the earth and still live a comfortable life. Buy the book...go on you know you want to!!

Awesome - Rated
I was sufficiently impressed by this book to write to Thom Hartmann to thank him for writing it! He replied.

Buy it. A review is only someone else's opinion. However, my opinion is that not reading this book will mean you miss out on one of the fundamental reasons that you exist at all ....

a journey to awaken your slumbering soul... - Rated
Ever felt twinges of unease at the way we merrily strip our planet of it's vital resources? Do you wonder how we are going to cope with increases in population, or what we will do when the oil resources run out? This book addresses vital questions such as these, and Thom draws on a plethora of research to back up his views.

Thom takes us on a journey, looking at why we came to be facing the crisis we are in today. He looks at ancient tribes and compares tribal attitudes towards the planet (respecting nature) with our current western attitude (dominating nature). We need to respect the earth, to treat it with care. This book is a call to AWARENESS, and the realisation that, every act we do no matter how small, is important, as we are all connected.

Yes, this book will make you both depressed and angry at our actions. Yet in the second half of the book, Thom looks at practical things we can do, from small acts of kindness, turning off the TV, or joining/beginning an intentional community, amongst others. There is also a list of suggested reading at the end of the book, in addition to the footnotes throughout.

Buy this book, and buy copies for your friends! As Neale Donald Walsch says in the Afterword in this book: "You have just read one of the most important books you will ever read in your life."

Will this book change your life? That depends on you. If you believe in the message in this book, you will never view things in quite the same way again.

I also recommend 'The Prophet's Way', also by Thom Hartmann, in addition to this book.