| With
Mark Edward's tour of Ireland imminent what other book could be
book of the month but Hard
Rain? See here
for more info on his tour and check out this
link for his Bantry visit.
But since Hard Rain's been book of the month
already (June) I've also included Recycle
- newly published and packed covering all angles on waste and recycling
- as it's subtitle says, an Essential Guide.
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Back in
July I was literally reduced to tears reading Hard
Rain by Mark Edwards and Lloyd Timberlake, a photographic
exploration of the state of the world and its peoples illustrating
Bob Dylan's prophetic lyrics. And I'm sitting here shaking
with emotion after just skimming through it and I have to
say something more about this book than 'This is Great. Read
it.' … If there's ever been a book that everyone should
read this is it. If you've a soul it'll touch it. If you've
a sensitive soul Hard Rain will tear it apart.
|
| Dylan
wrote the lyrics to Hard Rain during the Cuban crisis describing
a rain than kills people, animals, plant life, eco-systems,
oceans … and the planet itself. Today it's not just nuclear
destruction that threatens us - for years we've known the potential
catastrophic effects of climate change and have done next to
nothing about it. Hard Rain shows in painful detail the destruction
of planet and life that climate change has already brought about
and what the future holds if we carry on regardless. |
|
And it’s a hard, it’s
a hard
it’s a hard, it’s a hard
It’s a hard rain’s a-gonna fall.
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And reflect it from the mountain so all souls can see it |
|
I know this
stuff; I've known it for years; it's what this tiny, environmental
bookshop is all about - raising awareness and inspiring and
empowering individuals to follow a path of sustainability.
But the knowledge that we need
to change and what we need to do
to bring about that change has been around for donkeys years
and how many people care? Who's taking this on board? I can't
even begin to describe how distressed this book leaves me.
A combination of horror at the injustices of the world, the
destruction, poverty, hardships; despair that nothing seems
to be changing; and, an urgent need to do
something. And the most immediate thing I can think of is
to tell as many people as possible about this book. And desperately
hope that they will feel even a fraction of what I'm feeling
and be inspired to do something themselves. Something more.
Something Real. |
| Yet
I'm left despairing, impotent, afraid that change cannot come
about without a global shift in consciousness. A shift away
from greed and power and hatred. A shift towards world mindedness,
compassion, equality and care. And people have been saying that
for decades, probably longer, and we don't seem to be any closer.
Maybe this book can help, I don't know. But I can't end on that
note, so I'll tell you a wee bit more about Hard Rain and why
you should read it. |
|
I’ve walked and I’ve crawled on six crooked highways
|
And I’ll tell it and think
it
and speak it and breathe it |
|
The core
of the book consists of Dylan's lyrics illustrated by Edward's
evocative photographic depiction of the effects of climate
change. That's the part that'll tear at your guts. But text
by Edwards and Timberlake supports this emotive journey with
facts and figures about climate change and policies and strategies
that have not been forthcoming by those who're in a position
to implement them. And Edwards offers simple, straightforward
things everyone can do right now, from buying low energy light
bulbs (How difficult is that? Why does anyone have to be told
to do that?) to life-changing development work. In this way
Edwards offers some hope. And he offers inspiration - a copy
of Hard Rain was sent to world leaders before its release
to the public and the accompanying letter is included in the
appendices:
"Our book is an appeal to you, and
an appeal to readers to get in touch with you and ask for
your attention, for you to demonstrate the responsibility
you promise when you ask for our votes or support."
Complete with a listing of organisations,
websites, books and journals Hard Rain is not only distressing
and provocative but also an excellent source of information
and inspiration.
|
If any book can shake people out of their
complacency, this is the one. Make your libraries buy it, show it
to your friends, family and co-workers, show it to everyone you
meet every day. Read it and weep. And then do something about it.
|
Hard
Rain €21.00
Our Headlong Collision with Nature
Lloyd Timberlake, Mark Edwards
(Ill), Bob Dylan (Contributor)
In July 1969, Mark Edwards, lost on the edge of the Sahara,
is rescued by a Tuareg nomad, who takes him to his people,
makes a fire and produced a cassette player. Bob Dylan sings
`A Hard Rain`s A-Gonna Fall`. As Dylan piles image upon image,
the idea comes to Edwards of illustrating each line of the
song.
In the years that follow, he travels to over 150 countries
to photograph our headlong collision with nature. Hard Rain
is the result - an unforgettable collection of photographs
illustrating Dylan`s prophetic lyric. Images from Edwards`
personal archive, plus contributions by Sebastião Salgado,
Chris Steele-Perkins and others, combine with the words of
rock music`s great, poetic writer to form the centrepiece
of `Hard Rain`.
Award-winning author Lloyd Timberlake`s brilliantly argued
reproach of our lack of action in the face of global collapse,
will inspire readers to participate in the complex debate
about how we should best address the pressing issues of climate
change, environmental degradation and world poverty.
For more information on the issues raised in this book visit
www.hardrainproject.com
About the Authors
Mark Edwards is one of the most widely published editorial
photographers in the world. He founded Still Pictures, regarded
as the leading photo agency specialising in environmental
issues, the Third World and nature. He is the co-author of
Changing Consciousness with David Bohm and has written several
books on photography. He is based in London.
Lloyd Timberlake is the internationally acclaimed author
of Africa in Crisis. He has worked in and reported from more
than 65 countries, for the past 25 years focusing on environment
and development issues in association with NGOs, governments
and companies. He now lives outside Washington, DC, US.
128pp 2006 210x170 | |
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Waste
& Recycling
Recycle
€29.95
The Essential Guide
Lucy Siegle (Contributor),
Duncan McCorquodale (Ed)
Recycle The Essential Guide is an
indispensable handbook to recycling today. With vibrant visuals
and a clear, accessible layout, the book illustrates all angles
of the subject — from the urgency of resource depletion
on a global scale to what the individual reader can do in
their own home, and from corporate strategies for a greener
future to burgeoning small scale eco-design projects.
Recycle opens with an introduction from
renowned Guardian journalist, Lucy Siegle. In her own inimitable
way, Siegle contextualises recycling in the global economy;
discussing change and continuity and raising questions about
the future of a practice that has it’s origins in Plato’s
Republic.
Comprehensive sections on recyclable materials:
Paper, Plastic, Metal, Glass, Household Waste and Compost
follow. Each material is explained in depth; how it is sourced,
its impact on the environment, how it can be recycled and
what each individual reader can do to facilitate this process.
Interleaved between these sections are
case studies from all over the world that pay tribute to exceptionally
successful or innovative approaches to recycling. From community
initiatives such as composting in Hackney, London to national
approaches to recycling, such as that of Green Dot Germany,
they illustrate just how global this issue is, and how important
it is to learn from others, to find solutions to the ever
expanding problem of waste.
A consumer directory of eco designers
follows; chairs made out of bathtubs, bags made out of billboard
banners and tiles made from melted mobile phones are just
some of the ingenious uses that designers and artists have
found for our waste products. Funky furniture, clothes and
home accessories show that ethical living and trendiness don’t
necessarily contradict each other. Each product is illustrated
and accompanied by the web addresses and contact details of
its supplier.
The final section comprises a comprehensive
international directory, which points readers in the direction
of organisations and charities that can help them find out
more about recycling in their area.
It’s time to wake up and smell the
rubbish. It’s time to take responsibility for our waste.
Recycle is the essential guide for all those who want to take
that journey but aren’t sure where to start.
256pp 2006 270x210
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