The Web of Life: Weaving the Values That Sustain Us

by Richard Love

In a collection of stories, discussion, and quotations, the author of Childhood's Future examines the interconnections among all people; the links that make up family, community, and more; and the importance of memory and personal stories. 35,000 first printing. Tour. IP.

Genres: Nature, Environment, Self Help, Parenting, Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published May 1, 1996

Reviews

[Sue Tincher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful depiction of the interconnectedness of family, friends, community, humanity, and nature. Richard Louv is a columnist for The San Diego Union-Tribune, and it appeared to me that this book is a collection of his columns. Despite the limitations inherent in that set-up--that is, each chapter being a very short, stand-alone essay--the book gelled. It is full of heart-warming tales and real-world struggles that make it easy to relate to. I also loved his book, The Last Child in the Woods, about the importance of letting kids explore the wild.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking, wise and at times comforting. A good choice during these times.

[Andrea Wightwick · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Last Child in the Woods grounds itself in the theory of children, over the course of the last 100+ years, slowly moving indoors and what toll that has taken on humans as they grow. The writer coins the phrase, "nature-deficit disorder" and how it came about. Most interesting of note to me was the steady decline in college students choosing Earth science-based majors (chemistry, biology, geology, etc.) As a result, scientists are in a predicament of creating historical documents now for fear that progress will be haulted. If a mushroom was discovered in 2020 but not documented well, a scientist in 2050 may discover the same mushroom and not further our knowledge but rather hinder our progress and innovation.

[Trace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Richard is most famous for his "Last Child in the Woods" book, which is a favorite of mine and which I try and reread every 6 months or so. But this title is not as well known and I'm curious.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It has a very nice feel good value to it. I was expecting more of a challenge such as that given in Last Child in the Woods.

[cati · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect book to start the new year with. Thank you Mary!! Lots of wisdom, humor and sentiment. I hope to share this with many friends!

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very evocative writer. The book is a collection of his newspaper columns.