- Paperback: 336 pages
- Publisher: Aurum Press Ltd; New edition edition (20 April 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1854108646
- ISBN-13: 978-1854108647
- Product Dimensions: 23.5 x 16.2 x 2.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 457,453 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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'This is a world-changing book, one of the most important I have ever read, which will transform our perception of ourselves, our history and our surroundings' - George Monbiot
Ecologist
Few activists win such resounding victories in their lifetime ... None that I know have have done it with such a natural gift for storytelling.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
29 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
`Soil and Soul` is a story of one thing and many things; the Earth and its people. Alastair McIntosh provides us with an object lesson and demonstration inhow the welfare of the later is indivisibe from that of the former. He demonstrates this interconectivity by telling the story of how crofters, on the Hebridean island of Eigg, reclaimed their custodianship of the land from the Laird and thus ended nearly 1000 years of injustice and feudal land tenure. He also tells the story, as yet unresolved, of the worlds largest aggregates consortiums attempts to gain licence to hollow out a superquarry on the Isle of Harris which would result, as one local put it, turn Harris into `..the gravel pit of Europe`.
`Soil and soul` is, though, more than the lineal accounting of eco campaigning and legal battles from an author who was intimately involved with both issues. Much of the book is given over to matters of history, theology, feminism and ecology. McIntosh begins with the tale of how Kings and corporations, power and wealth, have, over the centuries, in the Scottish Highlands obscenely stolen, terrorised and bullied it indigenous people. Inherent in this process, he posits,was the wilful destruction of native spirituality and self sufficiency all in the pursuit of power and worship of Mamon. In one sense then it is the history, writ small, of much of the history of the world.
If you blanch at the invocation of Mamon then perhaps this book isn`t for you. McIntosh doesn`t pull his theological punches. His spiritual outlook is deeply rooted in pagan christianity and its deep reverence of the `Mother Earth` and an imminent god. Passages from the Bible are often quoted. Do not, though, be put off by his pertinant meanderings into eco-feminism or liberation theology. He is never pompous or pious but he does, on occasion, vere towards the precious but this simply underlines his integrity and honesty. He is also prone to drift into the kind of academic-speak that, this fellow of the Centre for Human Ecology, might use with his undergraduates. But this is a small price to pay for the overall cogency of his beliefs, the subjects of which, in less rigourous hands, may be made to appear as just so much nouveaux-hippy wishful thinking. McIntosh doesn`t let this happen for a minute.
This book contains much to energise and sustain anyone who is perhaps only beginning to question our relationship with the land we live on and with. As a young man I read William Morris` `News From Nowhere` which as the years roled on revealed itself to be the book most influential on my sensibilities. I have no doubt that this book will have a similar revelatory impact upon some unsuspecting 17 year old who is yet to read it.
Before I had finished my copy I had sent another copy to a friend. Even if you do not wear a chunky jumper or knit your own yoghurt there is much here to be divined in this excellent book.
`Soil and soul` is, though, more than the lineal accounting of eco campaigning and legal battles from an author who was intimately involved with both issues. Much of the book is given over to matters of history, theology, feminism and ecology. McIntosh begins with the tale of how Kings and corporations, power and wealth, have, over the centuries, in the Scottish Highlands obscenely stolen, terrorised and bullied it indigenous people. Inherent in this process, he posits,was the wilful destruction of native spirituality and self sufficiency all in the pursuit of power and worship of Mamon. In one sense then it is the history, writ small, of much of the history of the world.
If you blanch at the invocation of Mamon then perhaps this book isn`t for you. McIntosh doesn`t pull his theological punches. His spiritual outlook is deeply rooted in pagan christianity and its deep reverence of the `Mother Earth` and an imminent god. Passages from the Bible are often quoted. Do not, though, be put off by his pertinant meanderings into eco-feminism or liberation theology. He is never pompous or pious but he does, on occasion, vere towards the precious but this simply underlines his integrity and honesty. He is also prone to drift into the kind of academic-speak that, this fellow of the Centre for Human Ecology, might use with his undergraduates. But this is a small price to pay for the overall cogency of his beliefs, the subjects of which, in less rigourous hands, may be made to appear as just so much nouveaux-hippy wishful thinking. McIntosh doesn`t let this happen for a minute.
This book contains much to energise and sustain anyone who is perhaps only beginning to question our relationship with the land we live on and with. As a young man I read William Morris` `News From Nowhere` which as the years roled on revealed itself to be the book most influential on my sensibilities. I have no doubt that this book will have a similar revelatory impact upon some unsuspecting 17 year old who is yet to read it.
Before I had finished my copy I had sent another copy to a friend. Even if you do not wear a chunky jumper or knit your own yoghurt there is much here to be divined in this excellent book.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book is essential reading for all those who care about the way our society is developing. Alastair McIntosh shows by examples such as the Harris superquarry that the giant corporates can be taken on and defeated. He does this in such a way as to (re)awaken a genuine sense of reverence for the Earth in general and my own country Scotland in particular. I have read it once since I received it at Christmas and I will be reading it again very soon!
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Alastair McIntosh's Soil and Soul leads me on from my first reading of Paulo Freire's Pedagogy of the Oppressed. The same thirst for justice, the same identification of the eloquent bard with the voiceless ones rekindles poetry and revolution in the readers heart and thunders forth "alarm! alarm!" as deep as any Biblical prophesy.
McIntosh is able to leave one foot firmly planted in the old ways of a native Celtic people and the other slap bang in the middle of scholarly argumentation thereby bridging the great divide between poetry and science. He helps us to come to terms with our broken hearts and understand the dysfunctional power behind the carnage.
Soil and Soul is a major work which stretches us from the psychohistory of colonisation as seen through the lens of Hebridean culture to inspiring, empowering and entertaining case histories of community empowerment and cultural healing in which the author has played a pioneering part: read it!
- John Seed (author of Thinking Like a Mountain).
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Best book ever
This is simply the best book ever. I have bought 2 copies (the other from Oxfam!) and handed back the original my son leant me. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Justsalli
Scottish independence
I have had this book in the house since it first came out but have only just recently got around to reading it. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Harry J. Key
Inspiring and soulful
Inspiring, soulful and interesting tale of Scotland and eco-psychology.
Ranges from stories of the Islands to stories of North American Indians. Read more
Ranges from stories of the Islands to stories of North American Indians. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Peter W. Burden
Deep, thought provoking and just an excellent read
I usually put books down at the first mention of the bible/koran etc but I persevered with this one because his faith obviously isn't blind and is deeply affected by an academic... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Magnus Johnson
A Glorious Life-Affirming Book
If anyone asks you what lies at the soul of the modern Green movement then you could not do better than advise them to read this masterpiece. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Green Man
Corker
I rarely make time to write reviews, but I found this book so eye-opening that I feel compelled to trumpet it. Read more
Published 13 months ago by bumblebea
This is more than just a book
Alistair McIntosh speaks of what it is to be human in a book that looks deep into the corners of our collective soul. Read more
Published 14 months ago by anglophonie
Inspiring
This book covers all the issues in great depth with passion and vitality. The characterisation of the main protagonists is entertaining and warm spirited, even when dealing with... Read more
Published 16 months ago by greenspain
Bringing together vital pieces for understanding our world
A wonderful book by a great writer, spiritual teacher, community worker, and human being. In it he brings together a deep and lived experience of healthy communities rooted in... Read more
Published 18 months ago by anon
great
A beautiful, beautiful book and Alastair himself seems a great character too, check out the interviews and articles on his website for more great work on community, belonging and... Read more
Published on 15 Mar 2010 by Swampy
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