 Read this book and get revved up for a brighter future! |
| Review Date: September 23, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Dilys J. Burke, Arlington, MA, USA |
If you've been feeling weighed down, perplexed, and ready to throw up your hands in disgust with the pervasive mess that seems to be predominating our society, this book will be breath of fresh air! Ms. Lappe has honed right in on the fundamental problems that are feuling the mess... I swear, you will find yourself nodding and whispering an emphatic "Yes!" at many points during the first few chapters.
But beyond defining the underlying perception of powerlessness that have lead us to a "thin democracy" (based on a gross imbalance of wealth and power, creating a dogma of fear and neediness that turns the masses into disgruntled "shoppers", ever-more driven to "buy" security, safety, and happiness), Ms. Lappe also goes on to point out concrete models of true democracy at work today, and suggest simple ways in which "average citizens" can begin to re-establish a sense of empowerment in own lives, as well as those of their families, communities, and the country. The opportunities exist all around us, we just need to act on them. As she points out through numerous examples, by redirecting our thought processes, raising our voices, and redefining our goals and needs, we can use our God given intelligence, intuition, and compassion to develop equitible policies and build sustainable neighborhoods and communities that serve everyones needs.
For a relatively short book, it is amazing how packed full of relevant information it is... I came away from this book feeling armed with knowledge and a good measure of hope that we, the public, can reverse the the downward spiral our country has been in, and get things back on the right track. Thank you, Ms. Lappe! |
Drawing clarity out of the mainstream cacaphony
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| Review Date: September 11, 2007 |
| Reviewer: E. J. Freed, Boston, Massachusetts USA |
"Getting a Grip" is another example of Francis Moore Lappe's steadfast attention on the strength of every day people and local communities, strengths that our mainstream media all too quickly ignores. Lappe has a knack for drawing out bright examples of hope, courage and positive action in a day when the United States' broken national political system shuns real citizen participation and global econonmic structures devalue the human being.
This book will remind you that your neighbors are good, strong, smart people, with whom you can work to build community and a stronger democracy. Read it for hope, revitalization and to remember your own power. |
delectable credo-meets-blueprint for reshaping society
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| Review Date: September 11, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Real Change Rose, New York, Ny |
Frances Moore Lappe's latest book, Getting a Grip: Clarity, Creativity and Courage in a World Gone Mad, takes a close look at how we've created our culture and how we can step back to reshape it. How do we create a more authentic and alive world that takes care of it's inhabitants?
Frances is an eco/political Rock Star, world changer, world traveler, long-time celebrated author of dozens of books (literally), and sprightly hot mama! The book is already getting glowing reviews as being revolutionary and insightful from places like O Magazine. It's message is timely, innovative and radical. Every morsel of this delectable credo-meets-blueprint is fluid and human yet scrupulously well thought out and honest. After all these years, Frances has finally written a book that condenses the most weighty and sensible points from her previous works, reshaping them into one cohesive lens for viewing our current situation.
Her message is hopeful but realistic. Not many books on democracy have such a high level of authenticity. Her ability to bypass the normal, worn-out political arguments is refreshing and out of the box. The time has come for the American people, and the citizens of the world, to take our lives and our governments into our own hands to create the world we want, in which we can all thrive together. A better world is possible, and Frances Moore Lappé is one of a handful of authors whose vision points the way. |
Getting a Grip; Clarity, creativity, and Courage in a world gone mad
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| Review Date: September 9, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Diane Carazas, |
| Lappe is brilliant! She has a knack of knowing what we as a nation need and her timing is perfect. The book challenges us to use the gift of democracy to continually create the world we desire. Chock full of wisdom, some of my favorite reflections are: using conflict creatively is the key to creating society, we create the scarcity we fear, and power is negative if we believe that we have none. The book truly is an inspiration of our time and a call to action. |
Bravo
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| Review Date: September 25, 2007 |
| Reviewer: L. Shelton, |
| When faced with the political and social crises that the world is in, it is easy to become paralyzed with fear, anxiety and hopelessness. Frances Moore Lappe uses Getting a Grip to explore empowering alternatives to these feelings, creating a sense of great relief. Relief that individuals have the power to create change. Relief in knowing that each action, however big or small, has the power to make life better. Lappe uses her own powerful convictions supported by well-documented evidence to support her thesis that human beings are caring, compassionate creatures who desire more than just a flat, consumer-driven existence. |
Moving from powerlessness to empowerment
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| Review Date: February 25, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Anne Wilson, Andover, MA USA |
Francis Moore Lappe asks, "Why can't we stop wringing our hands over
poverty, hunger, species decimation, genocide, and death from curable
disease we know is all needless?" She reached into our lives and changed
our understanding of the causes of hunger some thirty years ago when she
wrote the groundbreaking book "Diet for a Small Planet." Now, after
years of research and writing, she has again responded to the questions
raised by her curiosity and has shared her analysis in "Getting a Grip:
clarity, creativity and courage in a world gone mad" It is easy to
identify with her intense desire for change, as she states,
"I'm ready. I'm past ready."
The book is hard to put down as Ms. Lappe shows us how to move from
powerlessness to empowerment. I was drawn by the intensity and clarity
of thought on the first few pages and, later, by the creativity,
insight, and determination of a woman who is committed to sharing her
perception of the work ahead so that we may join in getting a grip on
what seems "a world gone mad." |
A Must Read!
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| Review Date: October 21, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Lina Musayev, Washington, DC |
| This book is an absolute must read! Very inspiring and empowering... and makes you want to jump out of your seat and really do something that will better our world. It is a very fast read and has tons of information in it. I feel rejuvenated after reading it! The author shows you that there really is hope in this world and we as individuals are so powerful to make a real difference! Thank you Frankie! |
We can all be part of the solution
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| Review Date: October 23, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Susan J. Bumagin, Gloucester, MA USA |
| In this bleak and destructive era, Getting a Grip is a beacon of hope that serves to remind us that we can all make choices everyday that positively impact the communities we live in, local and global. The message, which is accessible and heartfelt, supports the author's ongoing efforts to create greater awareness (backed by facts that are sometimes hard to believe!) about what is really going on in our society and world. Her belief in the power of personal actions (large and small) and citizen involvement is clearly communicated and convincing. Most importantly, Ms. Lappe encourages each of us to operate out of conviction rather than fear and to work together to dampen the pervasive culture of fear. This book should definitely go into political science departments of universities and all public libraries. |
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