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Be The Difference: A Beginner's Guide to Changing the World by Danny Seo (New Society Publishers, 2001)
The Better World Handbook: From Good Intentions to Everyday Actionsby Ellis Jones (New Society Publishers, 2001)
Ecological Medicine: Healing the Earth, Healing Ourselves, edited by Kenny Ausubel with J. P. Harpignies, is a stimulating compilation of thoughtful, innovative essays on the natural world and health, most of which originate from talks given at the annual Bioneers environmental conference. Contributors include Dr. Larry Dossey, Dr. Andrew Weil, and our very own Peggy O'Mara. (Sierra Club Books, 2004 www.Bioneers.org)
Fatal Harvest: The Tragedy of Industrial Agriculture by Andrew Kimbrell (Island Press, 2002)
The Future of Food
Directed by Deborah Koons Garcia, this is a searing indictment of genetically engineered (GE) food and its primary manufacturer, Monsanto. Garcia first points out Monsanto's basic crimes: its assault on the biological integrity of our food supply, and its flagrant lack of concern about testing GE foods for safety. Moving on, she investigates Monsanto's crusade against small farmers. Claiming patent infringement, the corporate giant files financially devastating suits against farmers who, courtesy of the wind, find an errant Monsanto plant or two on their lands. The best way to fight back? Support organic, sustainable farming. After watching this film, I was convinced more than ever to "Go organic!" (Lily Films, 2004).
Reviewed by Melissa Chianta
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The Kid's Guide to Service Projects: Over 500 Service Ideas for Young People Who Want to Make a Difference
by Barbara A. Lewis, is a roundup of innovative ideas for getting children involved in their communities. From organizing a recycling contest to adopting a "grandfriend," Lewis clearly outlines both large- and small-scale ventures in a variety of social and political arenas. This is an older book, but well worth a place in your family library. Ages 8 to 12. (Free Spirit Publishing, 1995)
Reviewed by Melissa Chianta.
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Money Talks
Money Talks, from director Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau, takes an inside look at the tactics pharmaceutical companies employ to sell more drugs—from tempting physicians with expensive gifts to funding their own drug-efficacy studies. The documentary includes interviews with Jerome Hoffman, MD, director of the UCLA Doctoring Program; Jon Abramson, author of Overdo$ed; and former drug salespeople. Slattery-Moschkau's own experiences working for the pharmaceutical industry motivated her to make this documentary, as well as the fictional film Side Effects (starring Grey's Anatomy's Katherine Heigl), which explores the same topic, Hollywood style. (Money Talks and Side Effects: Hummingbird Pictures, 2006).
Reviewed by Melissa Chianta
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Noah's Children: Restoring the Ecology of Childhood by Sara Stein (North Point Press, 2001)
Spinning Tales, Weaving Hope: Stories, Storytelling and Activities for Peace, Justice and the Environment edited by Ed Brody (New Society Publishers, 2002)
Stop The Next War Now: Effective Responses to Violence and Terrorism
Edited by Medea Benjamin and Jodie Evans, cofounders of the grassroots organization CodePink: Women for Peace, Stop the Next War Now is a collection of fierce, articulate calls to end violence from formidable feminist activists including Barbara Ehrenreich, Amy Goodman, and Terry Tempest Williams, with a forward by Alice Walker and an introduction by Arundhati Roy. (Inner Ocean Publishing, 2005)
The Trajectory of Change: Activist Strategies for Social Transformation by Michael Albert (South End Press, 2002)
Fathering
Believing It All: What My Children Taught Me about Trout Fishing, JellyToast, and Life byMarc Parent (Little, Brown, and Company, 2001)
Dads and Daughters: How to Inspire, Understand and Support Your Daughterin a World That Pulls Her Away byJoe Kelly (Broadway Books, 2002)
FatherBirth: A Close Encounter of the Fourth Kind by John B.Franklin (Fatherbirth, 2001)
Father for Life: A Journey of Joy, Challenge, and Change by ArminA. Brott (Abbeville Press, 2003)
Fathering Right from the Start: Straight Talk About Pregnancy, Birth andBeyond by Jack Heinowitz (New World Library, 2001)
Father's Milk: Nourishment and Wisdom for the First-time Father byAndre Stein, PhD, with Peter Samu, MD (Capital Books, 2002)
Housebroken: Confessions of a Stay-at-Home Dad by David Eddie (The Berkley Publishing Group, 1999)
Pregnant Man: How Nature Makes Fathers Out of Men by GordonChurchwell (Quill, 2001)
Toolbox for New Dads offers fathers an education in everything from holding a baby to staying connected to your partner. In his aim to accept diverse parenting styles, Brott is somewhat watered-down in both the breastfeeding and cosleeping departments, at least from this reviewer's attachment-parenting perspective. However, the rest of the video offers solid advice, especially about sex and relationships. In a market with little good fathering material, this intelligent DVD is a pretty good find. (www.MrDad.com, 2006)
Reviewed by Melissa Chianta.
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