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Media & Reviews
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Yann Martel, Man Booker prize-winning author of Life of Pi :
"Every concerned citizen of this planet needs to read this book.“
"Read this book, plunge into it. It will blast away the facile inertia to which so many of us succumb. A greater, simpler, healthier world awaits us. Prepare for it, work at it. And start by reading Eleven.”
Dr. William Rees, originator of ecological footprint analysis:
"Paul Hanley’s Eleven is the read for our times. Anyone still confused about the implications for global civilization of our gathering ecological and social crises—a number of politicians and policy-makers come to mind— should not be allowed out in public until s/he has read this book. Eleven provides a fluidly accessible and meticulously researched account of the modern human predicament, but Hanley’s interpretation is uniquely buoyed above the usual tide of bad news by an ebullient confidence in H. sapiens as moral agent. The book is firmly rooted in the author’s belief that, confronted with crisis, it is possible for the world community “to choose to move against the flow of history,” that people have the capacity to change almost everything about the way they live in order to thrive with peace and justice on this finite planet. And the means are available for success—Hanley goes a long way toward demonstrating that virtually “everything that needs to be done to make the world just and sustainable is being done somewhere, successfully, already.”
"Paul Hanley’s Eleven is the read for our times. Anyone still confused about the implications for global civilization of our gathering ecological and social crises—a number of politicians and policy-makers come to mind— should not be allowed out in public until s/he has read this book. Eleven provides a fluidly accessible and meticulously researched account of the modern human predicament, but Hanley’s interpretation is uniquely buoyed above the usual tide of bad news by an ebullient confidence in H. sapiens as moral agent. The book is firmly rooted in the author’s belief that, confronted with crisis, it is possible for the world community “to choose to move against the flow of history,” that people have the capacity to change almost everything about the way they live in order to thrive with peace and justice on this finite planet. And the means are available for success—Hanley goes a long way toward demonstrating that virtually “everything that needs to be done to make the world just and sustainable is being done somewhere, successfully, already.”
Wes Jackson, Founder of the Land Institute:
“Paul Hanley has given us a blueprint for the future based on hope which would not be possible if we did not have the many good examples, both materially and in thought, that are outlined in his book Eleven.”
Trevor Herriot, author of River in a Dry Land and The Road is How:
“Our bookshelves are full of volumes telling us how we arrived at our modern predicament, but in Eleven, Paul Hanley takes on the tougher task of meticulously describing the present moment and then weighing it against a future where we will be eleven billion. Astonishingly, brilliantly, and quite convincingly, he arrives at a balance that is more optimistic than you would expect.”
Some reader comments
From Amazon Reviews:
"This is a fantastically powerful book. Not only does it synthesize empirical data that shows the extent of environmental degradation and materialism/consumerism, it also persuasively discusses the seeds of change that have already taken root. From local agricultural projects to a community level capacity building model that is successfully being used around the world, this book gives concrete examples of how we can and will (if we want to) live happily and healthfully in a world with 11 billion people."
"ELEVEN covers the territory of how humanity will face its greatest challenge in the next decades, as Earth's population reaches 11 billion souls. Unlike many such books, Hanley takes a refreshingly optimistic view that it is not too late - IF we get our various acts together. He also brings a calm spiritual voice to the well-researched science."
"After over 27 years of following this extremely knowledgeable, talented and creative writer, I have always been amazed with each of his uniquely insightful writings. It is indeed wonderful to see another masterpiece again. A must read!"
"Paul Hanely provides an important perspective on the current and future challenges facing humanity. A refreshing view less often offered by other authors concerned with the plight of humanity and the environment. Instead of the usual doom and gloom scenarios, Hanely offers a positive and reasonably attainable outcome based on a transformation of human hearts and attitudes to create a better world. He places a mirror in front of us to view the realty of our collective habits, priorities, wants and desires that fail to address the fundamental longing of the human nature and desires of the human spirit. He encourages us to look for true contentment and fulfillment elsewhere, as discussed in the book. A must read!"
" Move over Naomi Klien! I like the interspersing of personal anecdote with the otherwise overwhelming research and statistical approach. Fairly often, I will come across a turn of phrase which sets on its head my expectations about an 'environmental' book. If I had to use one word to describe this text, beyond appreciating the prodigious research and the pleasing writing style, it would be "coherent." Well worth the time to read it."
More readers reviews:
- I was excited to watch your webinar on your recently published book, Eleven, which I just finished reading and found it most impressive—specifically, the way you’ve woven together the various threads of social and ecological disintegration along with presenting many hopeful trends and prospects. I very much appreciate and marvel at what you’ve accomplished in this book.
- Reading the book "Eleven" by Paul Hanley. Amazing book about the food industry in North America. I am going to try harder to make some changes for myself and my kids. This book is factual and easy to understand, written in a smooth flowing manner.
- I'm thinking the "Transformation Model' Paul discusses starting at page 354 offers a considerable hope should various populations in the human community decide to take action that is within their (our) means. I think there is considerable merit in H.G. Wells' observation "Civilization is a race between Education and Catastrophe". I'm joining the race.
- Trevor Herriot: "Paul Hanley's new book is out. A powerful and intelligent testimony of faith during dark times. The moral integrity of this book is exactly what we need to face the challenges ahead."
For a lengthy review: "You should check out this fine review of Paul Hanley's important work:
http://iefworld.org/node/708"
