This book is beautiful. It is difficult to read because it is deep, lengthy, and analyzing a depressing situation; but it is wondrous in its insight, poignancy, and thought-filled-ness.
It has greatly expanded my perspectives and convictions on farming, agriculture, capitalist “agribusiness,” being human, and living on earth. Every chapter and sometimes every page brings new revelations, new connections between ideas, and new excitement!
Some of my favorite quotes:
“the basic cause of the energy crisis is not scarcity; it is moral ignorance and weakness of character. We don’t know how to use energy, or what to use it for. And we cannot restrain ourselves.”
“it is impossible to care for each other more or differently than we care for the earth…the earth is what we all have in common”
we are “not too good to work with our bodies, but too good to work poorly or joylessly or selfishly or alone.”
I would give the book 5 stars for its ideas, insight, beauty, and depth…but it is also rather lengthy, digresses often, and is sometimes difficult to wade through. I am excited to re-read this or something similar from Berry, but I don’t think I’ll have the energy for it for awhile!