The Sacred Balance: Rediscovering Our Place in Nature

by David Suzuki and Amanda McConnell

Book Overview

In this extensively revised and enlarged edition of his best-selling book, David Suzuki reflects on the increasingly radical changes in nature and science -- from global warming to the science behind mother/baby interactions -- and examines what they mean for humankind's place in the world. The book begins by presenting the concept of people as creatures of the Earth who depend on its gifts of air, water, soil, and sun energy. The author explains...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1553651669
• ISBN13: 9781553651666
• Release Date: September 2007
• Publisher: Greystone Books
• Length: 359 Pages
• Weight: 1.09 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

A life changing, life enhancing read

The Sacred Balance: Rediscovering Our Place In Nature by David Suzuki offers a conceptual understanding of the human condition and an ecologically sustainable, satisfying and honorable way of life in the world enveloping us all in this day and age. Providing readers with a complete grasp of nature and its most fulfilling values, The Sacred Balance intuitively presents a new direction with which one might rightfully prosper in balance with nature and one's surroundings. As a unique and concise interpretive understanding of nature and each individual's placement amidst an ever-growing and progressing nature, The Sacred Balance is very strongly recommended as a life changing, life enhancing read.

Excellent, enlightening and a "should read"

This is an excellent and enlightening work about the general state of the planet, humanity as a species, where we belong on the planet and what it means to us in terms of sustaining us as a species for the long run. Well-written and divided into chapters which could be summarized as humanity, air, earth, water, fire, community, love, spirituality and balance, this book paints an accurate state of the world picture with facts as well as metaphors. It always presents its concern about the greater picture without losing sight of the details. A great balance of general science and spirituality, with just enough facts and personal stories of many to make the points convincing, this book also is threaded with impacting and eye-opening quotes and poetry from a variety of sources and people. A superb book, overall, from someone who has seen a lot of what he wrote about. This book should be on the curriculum for senior year high school so that the future generations can get a good grasp of the world as they become contributing adults in that world which they will own and determine, more impacting than ever, for future generations. No matter how much or how little they will get from it, every bit helps at a time when that is truer than ever in the past from every one of us living today. Don't get me wrong, though, it's not the book that's profound. It's what you do with what you learn from it which will be.

Sane Science

Humanity is creating problems of a size and magnitude unprecedented in Earth history. We are razing the forests, causing mass extinctions, and have befouled earth, sky and water with with deadly toxins. While clinging to faith in science and progress, deserts quietly creep in on our venerated civilization. Within the human economy (community sounds too hospitable) as well, we see signs of collapse: some "800 million people go to bed hungry every night; and in wealthy industrialized nations, chronic unemployment, violence, social alienation, drug abuse, crime, unhappiness and the disparity between rich and poor appear to be rising. The sense that something is wrong is pervasive... People seem to feel helpless and pessimistic about the future." All of this, it must be added, in an era that many historians and pundits tout for "unprecedented scientific and technological progress." Suzuki believes that, although abundant with information and technique, we lack a working worldview and have utterly disconnected ourselves from the living planet. "What we need," he says, "is a new kind of science that approaches the traditional knowledge of indigenous communities." What we need is a new story, sense of place, deep connection and meaning - and that's exactly what this book provides. Suzuki's life-affirming narrative explains who we are, where we came from, and our proper place is in this complex, interdependent world. A beautiful blend of ancient wisdom and modern scientific thought, The Sacred Balance provides nothing less than the complete picture. A MUST READ j.w.k.

Photographs from around the world

Collaboratively compiled by geneticist David Suzuki, documentary film maker Amanda McConnell, and photo researcher Maria DeCambra, The Sacred Balance: A Visual Celebration Of Our Place In Nature is an inspirational collection of photographs from around the world, supplemented with wise and thoughtful commentary about human beings and their affinity for the natural world. Captivating images and insightful observations balance one another perfectly in this unique presentation which is especially recommended for students of ecology and the diverse and manifold wonders of the natural world.

A challenge to look at the world and our place in it.

An oddly structured book, a collage of information rather than a single thread (it would make a good basis for a hypertext/multi-media presentation). It covers a lot of ground and some readers may find it lacks depth, though it is very readable and has extensive bibliographical references.The first chapters each contain a combination of traditional scientific information, artistic views, personnal anecdotes and views from various cultural perspectives of the value of and the human impact upon this planet. Each of the first five chapters uses a classical element (air, water, fire/energy, earth, spirit/life) as a theme.He goes on to present an opinion of sensible human needs and values; personal liberty, community, diversity and similar ideas that can be attended to in ways that are both humanly satisfying and environmentally beneficial.His last chapters bring in a profoundly personal note; we are in the midst of and party to the harm being caused to this planet, which can be a crushing realisation. He offers hope that small deeds are better than no deeds, and that moving on to more wholesome lifestyles, even if they're not perfect, is needed and acheivable now. He gives example stories and suggestions that make sense for city living people.It doesn't require deep, complex thinking. It's not lost in a new age fairyland. It's pragmatic, and sound, engaging both intellect and emotions. For me it offered affirmation of my belief that finding a place in the world that is both emotionally right and rational with a lifetimes long pespective is achievable and important.