In this section we review books which we find of interest and relevance to our pioneering efforts. Our books range from fiction to social commentary, from poetry to philosophy. What they have in common is that we feel that they in some way or other can contribute to deep positive social change - whether it be more directly through some of the ideas they contain, or indirectly in the providing of valuable perspectives. And so we have chosen a collection of books that in different ways help us challenge our lenses, and give us some tools, ideas, or perspectives that help us see things from different - and often very refreshing - angles.

We hope you enjoy this list of books, and that you will contribute with suggestions and reviews of your own. Click on the book title for a full review.

African Treasures Reviews

Inspired by one of our current key learning programmes under the name African Treasures, we have started a selection of reviews of books related to African identity and heritage and African leadership, exploring what is Africa's gift to the world in these times.

"In the long run, the special contribution to the world by Africa will be in this field of human relationship. The great powers of the world may have done wonders in giving the world an industrial and military look, but the great gift still has to come from Africa - giving the world a more human face."

- Steve Biko

Fiction

The Story of B, by Daniel Quinn

Daniel Quinn with this book challenges contemporary society through a work of fiction, which have you turning the pages as the hero - and the reader? - steadily looses his own belief in what he knows to be true.

Deliverance, by James Dickey

This story is about a journey and like all good journeys it is about much more then moving through space and time. It’s about a journey from one state of being to another, it‘s a story about a deep spiritual journey; about facing yourself in a moment of survival, about looking deep inside yourself to who you are and finally it’s about how such a journey changes us.

The Glass Bead Game, by Herman Hesse

It is a story of one man's journey set in the context of an idealistic society, which is suffering from its ideals being increasingly distant from the world that it is meant to serve.

Developing our lenses

A Brief History of Everything, by Ken Wilber

A book in which Ken Wilber provides us with a map or a language, that is very helpful in distinguishing the different streams of thought of our time. It greatly clarifies the challenges and the opportunities of our time, distinguishing the noise from the essential stuff.

A Theory of Everything, by Ken Wilber

Ken Wilber continues his work towards creating an integral philosophy. In his latest work he goes a step further in opening up for the application of his work in the realms of politics, business, education and more. It gives a good lens through which to view our disciplines, fields and work.

An Intimate History of Humanity, by Theodore Zeldin

This book is an extraordinarily brave encounter of reviewing our past with the intention of building a strengthened bond of humanity in the future.

Hind Swaraj or Indian Home Rule, by M.K. Gandhi

This booklet provides the essence of Gandhi's ideas about truth and non-violence. It challenges much of what we have always been taught to be proud about as far as man and civilisations progress, and brings into focus what true freedom is really all about. I was a little shocked in reading it, to realise how much practical wisdom Gandhi offered to the world, which we have obviously not had the courage or the wisdom to accept and learn from. My consolation is that it is not too late.

Finite and Infinite Games, by James P Carse

"There are at least two kinds of games. One could be called finite, the other infinite. A finite game is played for the purpose of winning, an infinite game for the purpose of continuing the play."

Few books come along and give us, in under two hundred pages, an entirely new and intuitive set of lens with which to view reality from. I liked this book because it helped me see things from a different angle, in a different light. It helped me ask better questions and these questions in turn fuel my imagination.

On critiquing and reclaiming the concept of "Help" we have three reviews, the Development Dictionary, Helping and the third is an insightful book called Process Consultation Revisited by Edgar Schein.

Women's Ways of Knowing, by Mary Field Belenky, Blythe McVicker Clinchy, Nancy Rule Goldberger, Jill Mattuck Tarule

This book introduces different women exploring their ways of knowing and gives value to the intuitive ways of knowing often underestimated by scientific rationality.

Education and social change

Pedagogy of the Oppressed, Paulo Freire. A book which has helped many interpret the society we live in, and what keeps alive the gap between the poor and the rich. Freire articulates a progressive and revolutionary educational view as a path to freedom.

Coming Back to Life - Practices to reconnect our lives, our world, by Joanna Macy and Molly Young Brown

A practical and deep-rooted book which deals with the crisis of our times, and the shift we are in the middle of, offering a series of exercises and processes for workshops and groupwork for change-agency as reconnecting, clarifying, deepening and taking action. It is a must read for anyone who wants to help at these times.

The Moral Universe Ed. Tom Bentley & Daniel Stedman Jones

In the wake of September 11, London think-tank Demos presents a series of essays around the theme of the "remoralisation" of Western values. Contributors include: Amartya Sen, Zygmunt Bauman, Robert Cooper, Joan Smith, Mary Midgley and Jonathan Glover.

Future Focus

The Future in Plain Sight by Eugene Linden

A book uncovering the clues to the future, after which Linden describes possible scenarios of that future. Potent stuff, I tell you.

Scanning the Future Edited by Yorick Bloomfield

twenty essays from a diverse range of thinkers, among them are Francis Fukuyama, Nelson Mandela and physicist Murray Gell-Mann

Hosting

Calling the Circle, by Christina Baldwin

Principles and insights from the native americans and other indigenous folk have been collected in Calling the Circle, a book which shares methods and practices of bringing the wisdom of this old form of meeting into our modern world. It is a gem of a book.

Open Space Technology, by Harrison Owen

A book around the process behind helping small and large groups self-organise on specific action points that they are willing to take responsibility for and ensure happen.

Life Wisdom

Ethics for the New Millenium - Ancient Wisdom, Modern World, by The Dalai Lama

In it, the Dalai Lama speaks a great deal about our character, and of how we can develop and deepen it, even in this hectic world we have created for ourselves. The wisdom and peace he brings to his readers is an inspiration and a rare gift.

Siddharta, by Herman Hesse

A small treasure of a book, that throws light on some of the implications of buddhist thought, which is really life wisdom made relevant to all by Hesse, regardless their religion or background.

Organising

Birth of the Chaordic Age, by Dee Hock

Is a book which we find to be quite significant in supporting the shift and evolution of our way of organising.

Social Commentary

Mental Fight, by Ben Okri

This book is a song to the millenium. And it is a poetic wake up call. He does not mince his words, but presents us with a clear sighted view of the present stripped of pretense. It is potent, alarming, and inspiring at the same time.

The Corrosion of Character, by Richard Sennett

looks at whether the new capitalism is not in fact contributing to corroding the character of people.

The Post-Corporate World, by David Korten

gives a fairly critical, but well-researched, view on capitalism.

Civil Disobedience and Life Without Principles

Two essays said to be Henry David Thoreaus two great arguments for non-conformity.

Sustainability

Natural Capitalism, by Paul Hawken, Amory Lovins and L.Hunter Lovins

The bookstore shelves are crammed with dire warnings of environmental decline, and rosy forecasts of economic opportunity. Here, at last, is a book that reconciles these seemingly contradictory views—and offers a practical strategy for solving one in a way that achieves the other.

Cannibals with Forks: The Triple Bottom Line of 21st Century Business, by John Elkington

The process of greening our minds and industries may have been under way for 40 years, but putting the world economy on a more sustainable footing has only just begun.

Cradle to Cradle, by Michael Braungart/ William Mc Donough

"I was tired of trying to be less bad", says Braungart when he speaks about his career as a consultant and engineer trying to promote and create simple and intelligent production processes. And he refers to the well know feelings which control my own thinking quite regularly as well.

Also check out the a collection of Book Treasures - the all time favourite books of the participants to the 1999 State of the World Forum Emerging Leaders Programme.

If you wish to contribute to the Book Review page, with a suggestion for a good book and/or a review, please email Sera@pioneersofchange.net