Web of Life: Weaving the Values That Sustain Us

by Richard Louv

This powerful collection of words from award-winning journalist Richard Louv examines the interconnections among people―with each chapter revealing the delicate strands of life that weave us all together. Touching on the simple truths. It’s often the little things that remind us how connected we all are to one another. Through his insightful reflections, Louv reveals the many places we can find the strands that bind us to one another, and he explores where we can find these strands in our lives―from family and friendship to community and nature. Most importantly, his words remind us of the importance of seeking out these strands in our own lives. The great web of life. In this collection of inspirational stories, discussion, and quotations, Louv paints a picture for us of the great web of life. With warmth and wisdom, he weaves for us a tale of unity, composed of numerous stories and heartfelt life lessons. As we discover how we are all connected, we also learn how it is our responsibility to care for each other and the world around us. As Louv shares, “In our society, it is easy to lose sight of the web. To mend our hoop, our protective gauze, we must envision the whole ecology and not only the parts.” Open up this book of inspirational messages and
Readers of books like Braiding Sweetgrass , Wilderness Essays , or The On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are , will love Web of Life by Richard Louv.

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

256 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1996

About the author

Richard Louv, recipient of the 2008 Audubon Medal, is the author of seven books, including Last Child in the Woods and The Nature Principle. The chairman of the Children & Nature Network (www.cnaturenet.org), he is also honorary co-chair of the National Forum on Children and Nature. He has written for the San Diego Union-Tribune, the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Christian Science Monitor, and other newspapers and magazines. He has appeared on The Early Show, Good Morning America, Today, CBS Evening News, NBC Nightly News, NPRs Morning Edition, Fresh Air, Talk of the Nation, and many other programs. For more information, visit www.lastchildinthewoods.com.

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.