'Sex, Economy, Freedom & Community' by Wendell Berry.

 I recently read this book (actually a collection of essays) and thought it was excellent, although not the easiest of reads! I found this bit of blurb from the web about the book which expresses it quite well:

"In eight visionary or polemical essays, Berry sounds the themes of decentralization, renewal of community and ecological awareness that inform his previous books. The Kentucky poet/farmer/conservationist calls for the creation of a peace academy and urges Americans to "waste less, spend less, use less, want less, need less."

Although the essays are written by an American to the rest of his country and specifically, his president, there are so many themes and challenges which ring true for all of us. (The book is a few years' old now - most of the essays were written in the early nineties). I think what I liked most about each of these essays was that Berry gives no easy, quick-fix answers but simply raises big questions and then offers his thoughts on a way forward. He tackles really deeply ingrained issues and problems within the modern ideas of community, local economy, war, peace, consumerism, globalisation, greed and privacy. Whilst there is little quotation of Scripture or an overt declaration of faith in Jesus, I think you can tell that Berry's faith underpins every aspect of how he lives, thinks and cares for the world around him. I really enjoyed the essays (some more than others) but definitely recommend it if you want to read a current voice whose intellect and understanding of the issues is challenging, original and wonderfully refreshing. If anyone wants to borrow my copy, please let me know as I'll gladly lend it to you!

Jo Wood.