4 comments about The Essential Agrarian Reader: The Future of Culture, Community, and the Land.

1. Editor Norman Wirzba's counsel that we cannot live well if we do not attend to the human and non-human "bonds of relationship" is of deep import in an age of mindless surfeit masquerading as self-realization.



2. Did not like, thought stories were full of Idealistic nonsense. Unrealistic options for the family farmer.



3. This collection of writings provides a full spectrum of academic approaches to the subject of living on earth - sustainably. It identifies the consequences of choices, those that are, ultimately, unsustainable, and those that could lead to a liveable future.
   
   The fact that my copy was eagerly borrowed by a graduate student economist will serve as an indication of its value and relevance.



4. I'm only about half way through but I think it's okay. Maybe a bit self-satisified. My Dad from Massachsetts, much more conservative, hated it and found it unreadable. He particularly complained about the article on growing food on the commons; it was in Weston, MA - one of the richest towns in a rich state, which lost all credibility.

No comments about Green Computing and Green IT Best Practices on Regulations and Industry Initiatives, Virtualization, Power Management, Materials Recycling and Telecommuting.

5 comments about Diamond: The History of a Cold-Blooded Love Affair.

1. I thoroughly enjoyed the read. A good over view of the orgin, history, exploration, marketing, and commodity of the diamond market, without the dry technical jargon. I was completely facinated by the gamble one takes by purchasing large stones in the rough, and the tedicious craftsmanship that goes into cutting and polishing a beautiful diamond. I loved the history and discussion on famous diamonds and their journey though the hands of royality, soliders, religous conflicts, and theifs. Made you stop and think, what are diamonds really worth? I would of enjoyed color photos thou!!!!!



2. Though my background in diamonds - not counting some jewellery I got my better half sometime ago - is almost nil, I picked up the book because of the attractive title and jacket ... and I must admit that I thoroughly enjoyed the journey narrated by Matthew Hart.
   
   The book, peppered by anecdotes and stories, presents a great overview of the complex diamond trade. The book is as much about globalization of business as it is about shining stones for which consumers pay millions. And this is where the author creatively weaves narratives around aspects of the Business of diamonds: production and extraction, value addition during each aspect of the chain, marketing and promotion and the complexities of pricing and gobalized supply chain.
   
   The chapter (Rosy Blue) on the Indian contribution to the modern value chain of the diamond industry was especially interesting to read. Not many of us realize that much before Indians became synonymous with the global hi-tech and software industry, Indians were already well entrenched in the international diamond trade. The parallels between the two industries are unmistakable:
   * Hundreds of thousands of cutters and polishers (programmers and designers?) work offshore in back-offices
   * There has been a strong ambition to move up the value chain: by gaining representation as DTC sightholders (or management consultants to Fortune 500 clients)
   * The majority of foot-soldiers in the trade remain `invisible' though a few leaders are the visible face of the trade in Antwerp (and in global technology consulting)



3. Matthew Hart, former mining editor of the Rapaport Diamond Report, opens "Diamond: A Journey to the Heart of an Obsession" with the journey of a spectacular 81-carat pink diamond, from the "garimpeiros" who plucked it from Brazil's Abaete River in 1999 until its disappearance into the hands of a private collector. The saga provides a window on the idiosyncrasies and uncertainty of moving a truly rare diamond through the trade and a seductive introduction to this recent history of the diamond business, which dealt in $6 billion of rough per year when this book was published in 2001.
   
   Hart periodically digresses for explanations of how diamonds are formed, a brief history of De Beers Consolidated Mines, and exotic stories of famous and famously expensive diamonds. But this book's primary focus is on developments in the diamond industry over the past few decades. Two chapters are dedicated to the breathless race to find and exploit diamond pipes in Canada in the 1990s, from the innovative use of high-chrome low-calcium garnets as diamond indicators to the frantic "staking rush" that pit BHP, Aber, and Dia Met against one another in Canada's frozen Barrens.
   
   We peek inside Nos. 2 and 17 Charterhouse Street in London, where De Beers diamonds are sorted and sold, and "Diamonds" brings us up to date on the cartel's abandonment of its historic "market custodian" role. (For an in-depth account of De Beers' fascinating and speckled history, see Stephan Kanfer's The Last Empire.) There is a chapter on the hazards and thrills of cutting and polishing diamonds, including the 274-carat, 247-facet Centenary Diamond, cut by Gabi Tolkowsky in 1991. No discussion of diamonds would be complete without mentioning its time-honored "culture of brigandage", as Hart puts it, so he regales us with tales of modern diamond crooks.
   
   Particularly interesting is the rise of India's diamond polishers, who created the market for low-end diamonds from stones that had not previously been considered gem quality and thereby changed the economics of diamond mining. Hart dedicates a chapter to the issues raised by the "diamond wars", or "blood diamonds". This was written during the Sierra Leone Civil War and before the Kimberly Process. "Diamonds" jumps around a lot, covering a lot of geography and various aspects of the business. As a whole, it presents a picture of how and why the diamond industry changed in recent decades and what it is today.



4. Overall this was a great read. I knew nothing about diamonds. This book was mesmerizing with its explanation of how diamonds are formed, how people search for them, and how key players in the diamond industry rose to power and ran/run their companies. It was fascinating to learn about the stories surrounding some of the worlds premier diamonds; I never knew, or cared, but now I would certainly like to see diamonds like the Great Star of Africa, the Centenary, and the Koh-i-Nor.
   
   Unfortunately this book didn't always engage me. I was glued to the first few chapters, but as soon as we hit the exploration of diamonds in Northwestern Canada I faded away; drifting back and forth to reading and cleaning my house. The problem is, Hart is able to absorb the reader in the first few chapters by describing very clearly the history of diamonds, but as soon as the staking of Canada comes into play, the writing style changes. I felt like Hart had written two books, and I had to muddle my way through to get to the other side of it and back to the book I had been enjoying. There is interesting information to be gained in these chapters (beginning with "The Long Hunt"), but perhaps it's because I'm not into diamonds that I found the information a bit boring and too needlessly detailed compared to the previous chapters.
   
   The book does discuss "conflict diamonds" or "war diamonds," which is mainly why I picked up this book. Unfortunately it doesn't cover enough of it. Hart discusses how easy it is for "conflict diamonds" to intermix with other diamonds so that buyer wouldn't / couldn't know their origins before they purchased the diamonds. He also discusses how companies do little to prevent "conflict diamonds" from entering their mix and selling them. And how easy it is for people working at diamond mines or for diamond companies to steel them (very fascinating, but would like to have read more about it). Hart does discuss methods that could be used to distinguish "conflict diamonds" if only companies were willing to go the extra mile.
   
   One of the most interesting things I learned in reading this book was India's ability to profit from their cheap labor in polishing and cutting smaller diamonds. I had been reading books about offshoring jobs to India and China, and found it surprising that India had managed to gain a foothold in the diamond market as well - who knew? Another thing I learned, but not directly in this book, is that the Rhodes Scholarship was founded by Cecil John Rhodes, the founder of De Beers.
   
   I do have to add that having read this books I am less likely to want to own another diamond.



5. "Diamond" is very illuminating. This book gives a great summarized history of the diamond business as it exists today: the DeBeers monopoly, the Koh-i-Noor, the recent exploration in Canada's Arctic, etc. It also explores some of the geology behind diamond mining, the art of cutting, polishing, and shaping the gems, and various smaller issues within the diamond trade. Hart does all of these things while maintaining something of a narrative continuity. It reads like a long, uninterrupted conversation with a professor over afternoon tea: smooth, objective, and knowledgeable.

1 comments about Architectures for Agreement: Addressing Global Climate Change in the Post-Kyoto World.

1. This isn't a technical book, but it's not lazy Sunday reading either. It is a well laid out book though. There are 6 proposed "architectures" (post-Kyoto frameworks) presented-- along with 1 or 2 competing reviews are each proposal. Due to this organization, you get a total 360 view of the policy issues and trade-offs involved. Perhaps, due to the academic tone, it might be a little off-balanced away from business realities. However, this is not, in any way, a biased environmental ranting book.

3 comments about The Natural Step for Business: Wealth, Ecology & the Evolutionary Corporation (Conscientious Commerce).

1. This is a terrifc book in that it not only lucidly explains the framework of the Natural Step but also gives some excellent practical examples of major corporations starting down the path towards sustainability. This will give them a great competitive edge. With examples like the Natural Step model being applied by the likes of IKEA and Interface one can remain optimistic in the face of the torrent of negatives about the degenerating nature of the world environment. I hope that this book will encourgae others to look nto what the Natural Step has to offer..



2. The authors provide a real service with this book. So far much of the published work on The Natural Step framework has remained conceptual, without a lot of practical examples of the model in practice. The case examples of IKEA, Collins Pine, and Interface provide valuable references for organizational managers and consultants who are working to build more sustainable organizations. I highly recommend this book.



3. Exceptional book describing the background of the Natural Step process but more importantly provides evidence that companies who embrace sustainabilty in every aspect will be well rewarded for their efforts. Well done with loads of detail.

No comments about A Voice for Earth: American Writers Respond to the Earth Charter.

No comments about Food and the Mid-Level Farm: Renewing an Agriculture of the Middle (Food, Health, and the Environment).

5 comments about Media Selling: Broadcast, Cable, Print, and Interactive.

1. I found mr. warner and mr. buchman's book an excellent treatise on media sales. I also enjoyed the anecdotes. I have not seen a book like it.



2. The anecdotes help make this an interesting read..which is difficult for a textbook. It is excellent for something thinking about going into the field or who is looking to review the basics.



3. There have been scores of texts devoted to transactional selling skills. There are also some fine texts on Media Planning and buying....This is the first that I have uncovered that gives a comprehensive view to the skills needed to establish value and compete as a media sales rep. I was in radio sales management for27 years..I am currently teaching Advertising Sales at the University level...this text resembles the first 3 months of a rookie sales person.



4. This book is a must read for anyone interested in getting into media sales or those wanting to sell more effectively. Charlie is a consummate pro who balances decades worth of actual media sales experience (not as a consultant, but as a front line seller) with finely honed skills as a teacher. His contributing authors take a pragmatic approach to each of their subjects that allows you to jump to the section to match your interest in specific media platforms. Read this book yourself and make it required reading for your sales staff and watch the number of sales call go up, quality pipeline increase and deals get to closure faster.



5. Mass Media has replaced the public square in the 21st Century. I teach production and design for media. For those who want to teach media literacy and an understanding of media and media systems in the United States this book offers valuable insight into our media's inner workings. Charles Warner spent decades in the trenches and board rooms of major media organizations. Without the knowledge of the inner workings of the systems for which they design, my students cannot produce meaningful and transformational design for the industry. As consumers of media and practitioners in the making of media, we need to understand the media selling world. Charles Warner's real world anecdotes are worth the price of the book. The Cable Television chapter by William Grimes is required reading for my Broadcast Design students. This book essential reading for anyone who wants to understand how the economics of media affects the democratic dialogue in the public sphere.

3 comments about The Logic of Sufficiency.

1. Thomas Princen presents a unique view on sustainability, introducing and developing the concept of sufficiency while using a creative and original style of writing.



2. This is a very well-written book, whose importance cannot be emphasized strongly enough. It deserves to be read widely, not only by academics and policy makers, but by all those who are concerned with the status quo and know that something has to change in our way of doing things, but have a hard time seeing how. As a whole, the book presents a detailed and compelling response to those who think there is ultimately no better way to solve the world's problems than to create better technologies, expand the economy, and let the markets solve the problems of displaced or hidden costs to the environment.
   
   Princen shows, first, that the logic of efficiency (according to which maximizing goods and minimizing costs tends to be the ultimate argument for doing things) is only one among many approaches to good reasoning, and that its predominance came about as a result of a good deal of struggle and support by a wide range of institutions. It is also deceptive, in that there are always hidden costs and unexpected outcomes when a given efficiency is instituted. Suppose, for example, that we achieve the goal of more fuel efficient cars. Does that guarantee we will have less pollution and use less gas? Maybe it will mean more people will drive more often (using more energy and creating greater pollution in total even if not individually) and there will be a greater need for roads and higher numbers of fatalities on these roads. Moreover, such an achievement may help obscure and prolong some the many problems that are at least in part caused and supported by global fuel dependency and the need to constantly find new oil sources and to transport oil across the world: oil spills, destruction of ecosystems, not to mention worldwide conflict and economic inequality, even religious strife. The point is that we live in a complex world, where maximizing one variable can have an unexpected impact on other variables; or worse, where the choice of which variable gets maximized can be deliberately picked in order to obscure other outcomes that are less palatable. The "logic of efficiency" and "cost-benefit analysis" approaches to decision making are in the end not efficient and rarely take into account the real costs of the practices they endorse.
   
   As an alternative (not as a replacement, but as a viable but different approach), Princen offers the logic of sufficiency, a principled extension of the commonsense intuition that sometimes enough is enough. Just because we can build faster cars, does that mean we should? Just because we can extract oil from the Alaskan wilderness, does that mean it is incumbent upon us to do so? The answers to these questions are complicated, but sometimes, under the sway of the logic of efficiency, we seem to forget to ask or we assume that the answers are obvious: if it makes things cheaper, or faster, or gets us more of what we want, then of course we should! But we are often unprepared for the "side effects" of such improvements -- like urban sprawl and increased crime, or (to pick another example) the spread of disease that came as a side effect of our convenient and inexpensive new methods for delivering fresh spinach.
   
   What is perhaps most distinctive and worthwhile about Princen's book is that he shows the logic of sufficiency is not just a principle. It underlies what a number of flourishing communities have done in order to avoid the losses to their livelihoods and communities that they saw would follow if they followed the trends of maximizing profits and goods. They saw that in order to maintain their lifestyles they had to draw limits and restrain themselves. He deliberately chooses what he terms "hard cases" -- not those who deliberately isolate themselves from the modern world for ideological or religious reasons -- but companies and communities who, for both reasons of self-interest and as a result of their unique circumstances were led to make decisions that go against the grain of "progress" and "growth" and in the direction of sufficiency and sustainability. Princen sees the stories he tells of such peoples as reason to hope that as the rest of us grasp our own increasing dependence on a precarious and limited set of natural resources we will also begin to think differently and will come also to decide that enough is enough. Thomas Princen has written a very important and hopeful book, full of insight and thoughtful argument that can help guide us through such a transition. Highly recommended.



3. An inspiring, original, and thought provoking attack on today's environmental problems. Moreover, solutions are suggested rather than the average "go green" book that lists off the world's problems and leaves the reader with the question of "Now what?" I whole heartedly agree with the major themes of this book- they challenge the average American to be conscious- a trait each citizen is completely capable of having.

5 comments about Asphalt Nation: How the Automobile Took Over America and How We Can Take It Back.

1. No wonder our American jobs are being outsourced oversees - we demand more money from our employers so that we can drive farther from our home to work and spend, spend, spend on our cars to do this. We think buying a cheaper house in the 'sububs' saves money, but we spend more money on our cars and gas bills in the long term than we initially bargained for. Living closer to where we work maybe the solution - or telecommuiting (whatever happened to that idea?) but that's not really the point of the book, just an unstated theme throughout. I thought I could live in the county and work from home, but now I spend $500 a month on driving into the city and wasting precious time trapped in a car. Live and Learn - and think about reading this book (or at least the reviews...)



2. I've noticed how much design caters to car traffic for some time now. Not only are bus systems left behind in plans, but it is also difficult to walk anywhere these days. I'm not crazy about her ideas like raising gas prices, or anything that raises the misery factor for low income people struggling to keep their jalopy running (like harsh smog test requirements) but the idea of making alternative transportation easier and more attractive is good.

   There could have been a little more attention to using the already in place car infrastructure for alternative fuel vehicles. But that doesn't take away from the basic idea behind the book.




3. Less a book than a book-length sort of reportage, Asphalt Nation builds the case against the automobile to almost absurd heights. After reading the first half of the book, you wonder why cars are even legal in this country! Cars pollute, pollution is toxic, OK, we get that. Enough already.
   I was more taken with the second part, where Kay reports the history of how automobiles, and specifically traffic planners, conspired to create the sprawling, pedestrian-hostile multilane disaster we call the modern American city. This portion of the book was fascinating, and I would have liked twice as much of it.
   At the end of the day, however, I was hoping the author would have a more nuanced and thoughtful point of view than, "Cars are bad, walking is good." I already knew that. Still and all, a great book if you're inclined to think that maybe what your city needs is NOT one or two more left-turn lanes.



4. Let me first say that I completely agree with Kay's main point: Our car culture has huge costs, costs which are way out of whack with their benefits.
   
   Having said that, this book fails to convince the skeptic, which ought to be her intended audience. It's a long series of disjointed arguments and statistics and bizarre examples of planning mistakes carefully picked from history with 20/20 hindsight. Far from its other "Nation" namesakes (Suburban Nation, for example, seriously changed my outlook on how we build cities), it fails to follow some narrow trends or examples, and instead in every chapter tells the same story over and over. This book has great potential, but it feels like the sentences got all mixed up in the publisher's word processor so that no coherent story is told.
   
   If you're a fanatic, it's worth a read, but the skeptic will walk away confused and will not be inclined to buy the downtown row house Kay might admire.



5. It takes an awful lot of subsidies and tax revenues to keep suburban republicans rolling in the suburbs. Was it ever any different? How did it get this way? Read Asphalt Nation and find out!