Bill McKibben grew up in a well to do suburb. Everyone went to the same school and mothers were usually home when the kids came home from school. Patriotism was high and everyone was sure that the United States was the best country in the world.

Now, as an older man, he sees many changes. It is increasingly difficult for a family to get by on one salary and many of the jobs are gone, sent overseas. The ability to buy a starter home that would eventually turn into enough money to fund retirement is gone, along with most of the pensions that supplied stability. The automatic patriotism is strained as the truth about those groups that were excluded is more transparent. Church attendance is falling rapidly and is mostly composed of older people, escalating the dearth of those who identify as religious.

Along with these issues, McKibben believes there is hope. He encourages municipalities and suburbs to encourage and support lower income housing. He hopes that resources will increasingly go to those in need. He wants the United States to once again feel as if they were a beacon of freedom throughout the world.

McKibben is a scholar, an author and an environmentalist. In this book, he outlines the issues he sees and then the improvements that he believes can occur. I listened to this book and the narrator had a clear voice that made listening easy. This book is recommended for nonfiction readers.

I was somewhat familiar with McKibben and knew of his concern for the environment. Yet, after reading this important book, I am a forever fan.
I especially appreciated his honesty and directness regarding the pluses and minuses of the past as well as the present, His incredible writing, from his childhood intertwined with the present and future was a true testament to what has been negatively done and how we can, hopefully, correct or at least, attempt to make the world a better place.
The message for me (being approximately the same age as the author), is to get out there and take a stand for what you believe which should, hopefully benefit all of us. His creation of 350.0rg is a proud accomplishment of his. In view of the state of the country today, this is a must-read.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* this was a great read, enjoyed reading it and all the fact it had in it! would reread to make sure i got everything tough!

I am so thrilled to have been given the opportunity to listen to this book. McKibben is an important voice. I enjoyed his personal narrative, especially about Lexington, not far from my home of the last twenty plus years.

His analysis of our society and cultural norms as well as our challenges is spot on. Yes, some will reject his analysis, but I found it enlightening and insightful. This is an important read/listen for our tribalized, bifurcated reality.

Interesting read right now, specially in our current political environment. Lots of fun deep dive enjoy your belly