There are many books on the environment, but Wisdom for a Livable Planet stands out by using inspirational stories of successful activists to explore major environmental issues and offer proven solutions. This passionate, nonpartisan book makes the case that the environment is — or should be — beyond politics. Each story here — 8 in all — provides a portrait of an individual's courageous campaign to improve the conditions for life on the planet. Terri Swearington, nurse and mother in West Virginia, tackles one of the world's largest incinerators burning toxic waste next to an elementary school. Dave Foreman, cofounder of the Wildlands Project, leads the effort to restore functional ecosystems and preserve biodiversity by re-wilding almost half of North America with wolves, jaguars, falcons, and other animals. The work of these and the other six visionaries profiled here points to how real reforms can create a brighter future for all life, including human.

By personalizing critical environmental issues via profiles of eight "visionaries" agitating for a more livable planet, this informative if occasionally wordy work brings something new to the Earth-activist bookshelf. McDaniel (coauthor, Paradise for Sale) certainly covers his ecological bases: his subjects are prominent in the areas of hazardous waste incineration, biodiversity, sustainable agriculture, appropriate technology, population control, rational economic planning, climate concerns and environmental education; their unflagging enthusiasm for the well-being of the planet infuses the book, which at times veers toward the pedantic, with a redemptive, zealous energy. The portrait of Teri Swearingen is the most accessible: for two decades, the West Virginia nurse and mother fought construction of a toxic-waste incinerator near an elementary school. The portrait of Wes Jackson is the most inspirational: for almost three decades, the geneticist's Land Institute in Kansas has worked to spread the word about farming practices that preserve good soil rather than poison it. And the portrait of David Orr is perhaps the most forward looking: the professor of environmental studies at Oberlin College believes that Earth's future lies in developing "culture-transforming" environmental education. The stories of these eight ecological warriors are profoundly appealing in that they show the diverse ways that people can commit to a common cause. (Mar.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.