BOOK CLUB NEWS

We started off the New Year on January 6, by discussing books we had
read about the problems in our environment.  Two of these books were
focused on global warming and the need to change our use of energy.
"Hot, Flat, and Crowded" by Thomas Friedman was described as very
informative and thought provoking, almost like a "course" on the
subject. After describing the situation, the author stresses the need to
change our ways of thinking.   In "Hot", by Mark Hertsgaard, the author 
(who has a 5 year old son) anticipates "living through the next 50
years on earth".  Our reader found the book depressing!  The author blames
large corporations for our overuse of fossil fuels, and sees little
change in the USA.

Another of our members read "The Ripple Effect" by Alex Prud'-ome.  This
was all about water and declining supplies of free water. It begins with
the (true) story of an unsolved murder in a water treatment plant.  This
led to the observation that we are more likely to read books that are
about people, not just facts and ideas.

A very different book, on a more positive note, was "Hope for the
Animals” by Jane Goodall.  We all remember the author as the young
woman who wrote "In the Shadow of Man" (1971) about living in the
jungles of Tanzania and observing the chimpanzees.   In the years since
she has advocated tirelessly for saving animals of every kind from
extinction.   This book is a compilation of stories, told in a very
personal way, of the many people who have worked to save the animals
in danger, sometimes with success, sometimes still working, but not
giving up. 
A very different book, “Lasso the Wind" by Timothy Eagan, was described
by our member as "a good read"!  It is about the history of the
environment in the American west, with some positive reports such as
needed removal of dams and cleaning up of polluted waters. 

For our next meeting, February 7, we’ll be reading any book by Willa
Cather.  Newcomers are always welcome.

Margery Robertiello