Imagine: What America Could be in the 21st century - Softcover

Various

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0451204697 ISBN 13: 9780451204691

Publisher: NAL Trade, 2001

Synopsis

More than thirty distinguished contributors share their thoughts, beliefs, and concrete suggestions on how to create a brighter, more enriching America in the twenty-first century, covering such topics as health, the environment, education, politics, and technology in essays by Gloria Steinem, Thomas Moore, Sarah Ban Breathnach, Deepak Chopra, and other notables. Reprint.

About this title

Review

The writers in this optimistic anthology didn't want to buy into the typical doomsayer theories and gloomy forecasts when imagining the future of America. Instead, editor Marianne Williamson assembled a soul-stirring gospel choir to sing out vivid, uplifting songs of hope and imagination. When contributor John Robbins imagines the typical family meal in the year 2030, he serves organic food bought from the local farmer's market and lovingly prepared by enthusiastic family members--even teenagers. This may sound like pie-in-the-sky talk, but Robbins backs it up with a solid plan that could lead to better diets, healthier food production, and even end world hunger.

One of the most profound essays comes from Fred Branfman, who writes about "Legacies." He makes a convincing case for imagining the faces of future generations and taking responsibility now to ensure the health of their world. Other excellent contributions include Eric Utne (editor of Utne Reader magazine) speaking on a new media that becomes "the connective tissue" in our culture, emphasizing community, debate, and conversation. Iyanla Vanzant imagines "Civility," Bell Hooks gives voice to 21st-century sexuality, and John Bradshaw sees the future family. Even if you only time travel from your armchair, this is a future you'll want to spend a lifetime creating. --Gail Hudson

From the Inside Flap

In the realm of highest possibilities, what could America look like in 50 years? What kinds of changes would have to occur in order for that to happen? How can an individual or an institution best contribute to such change? And what is the deeper story trying to emerge within this nation and the world?

Best-selling author Marianne Williamson posed these questions to nearly 40 of her well-known contemporaries, inviting them to open their imaginations to all the possibilities that could exist. Imagine is their collective response: a powerful, provocative, and compelling vision of a better America and a prescriptive call to action for significant positive change.

Imagine . . . an inner-oriented system of "restorative justice" in which everyone affected--victims, offenders, families, and communities--comes together and exchanges stories to gain a deeper understanding of one another's circumstances and motives, then collectively determines a fair course of action.

Imagine . . . a national network of revamped hospitals that integrate the physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of health, combining traditional scientific medicine with alternative methods in a team-oriented, holistic approach to healing.

Imagine . . . a country where neighbors talk, eat, and laugh together; where people know and care for one another; work is rewarding and fulfilling, and everyone--young and old--has plenty of time for play.

Imagine . . . a total transformation of our political system, our socioeconomic structure, our personal relationships, and our relationship with the Divine.

Between the covers of Imagine, an unprecedented assembly of America's foremost visionaries, academics, activists, and spiritual leaders--including Deepak Chopra, Dean Ornish, M.D., John Robbins, John Gray, Sarah Ban Breathnach, bell hooks, and Thomas Moore--addresses issues of personal, internal transformation as well as institutional, external change, recognizing that the internal and external are not separate but intertwined, that we must find peace within ourselves before we can change the world around us.

Today, America is plagued by darkness, home to a plethora of problems and millions of troubled souls. Imagine moves beyond the present, aiming a shining beacon of light on a brighter tomorrow.

All author royalties from the sales of this book will be donated to the Global Renaissance Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to imagining and working toward a better world for our children and our children's children.

Edition details

• Publisher: NAL Trade
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0451204697
• ISBN 13: 9780451204691
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 432
• Editor: Williamson Marianne, Lamott Anne