This work is an analysis of primarily mainstream American consumption, and is recommended reading for anyone who is interested in sustainable communities. The book advocates a variety of strategies for lessening the materialistic drive to fill the spiritual hole, which so many people and communities appear to have. The work is critical of both possessions and experiences, the latter contributing to global warming through air travel, too many people in pristine areas, and proliferation of "experiential" equipment. Reasonable and achievable community and individual suggestions are offered, with assurances that the U.S. econonmy won't collapse if everyone controls their acquisitive natures. Some legislation, however, must occur before some changes can be made - which did not happen in 2005 and is unlikely for 2015 politics. Being ten years old, the work draws from data that is old, and older, which was frustrating and not useful for some of my purposes. Although consumption has changed minimally, current stats might show an even greater need for humans to employ that most difficult of actions: self-restraint.

I would give the work 4 stars if it were current; as it reads, it is a historical snapshot of what should have motivated simpler lifestyles in Americans, becoming a sad reminder that for most, it did not. Still, I recommend this work to those who want to elevate living a simple life to a communal level. There really are many great possibilities expressed. ( )