Active Hope

By Joanna Macy, Chris Johnstone,

Book cover of Active Hope: How to Face the Mess We're in Without Going Crazy

Book description

The challenges we face can be difficult even to think about. Climate change, the depletion of oil, economic upheaval, and mass extinction together create a planetary emergency of overwhelming proportions. Active Hope shows us how to strengthen our capacity to face this crisis so that we can respond with unexpected…

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Why read it?

2 authors picked Active Hope as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Joanna Macy is an environmental activist and a scholar of Buddhism and deep ecology. Her writing is at once direct and gracious, inviting us to explore new ways of understanding ourselves and our world. Central to her message of hope is what she calls the "Great Turning," a revolution in which humankind will turn from industrial capitalism, which seeks infinite growth through extraction, to a sustainable civilization of compassion and interdependence. This new edition of Active Hope, co-authored with Chris Johnstone, acknowledges that the Great Turning may in fact happen in the midst of a massive societal and ecological…

The enormous challenges humanity faces today can be overwhelming to even think about, much less know how to respond. Drawing on the empowerment approach known as the Work That Reconnects, Active Hope has helped me do the inner work needed to face challenges like the climate crises, social and economic injustice and upheaval, species extinction, systemic racism, and increasing threats to democracy. The perspectives and practices the book offers have enabled me to tap into gratitude, resilience, and creativity, and find my own “path of heart” in service to my community, humanity, and the living Earth. (Revised edition to be…

From Molly's list on building resilience in hard times.

Want books like Active Hope?

Our community of 10,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Active Hope.

Browse books like Active Hope

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in environmentalism, climate change, and climate fiction?

10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about environmentalism, climate change, and climate fiction.

Environmentalism Explore 182 books about environmentalism
Climate Change Explore 182 books about climate change
Climate Fiction Explore 45 books about climate fiction