Description
Book SynopsisThe Whole Earth Catalog was a national phenomenon catering to hippies, do-it-yourselfers, and anyone interested in self-sufficiency independent of mainstream America. This book takes a fresh look at those who worked in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s to construct this philosophy of pragmatic environmentalism, and shows us that Whole Earth was more than a mere counterculture fad.
Trade ReviewA historically important book during this resurgence of green culture."—
Design Issues"An important and original addition to the history of environmentalism in the United States."—
Historian"Kirk brings a sense of order and context to a notoriously decentralized and nebulous movement and deepens our understanding of postwar environmentalism."—
Pacific Historical Review"Kirk weaves together a number of fascinating themes—including the alternative technology movement, ecological design, outdoor recreation, space colony proposals, and the so-called greening of American business—to develop an original and persuasive argument about the larger significance of Whole Earth. . . . Kirk’s excellent blend of cultural, environmental, and intellectual history offers a novel and illuminating account of the counterculture's effort to foster environmental hope."—
American Historical Review"A well written, engaging narrative. . . . As the specter of global warming pervades more and more of the collective attention span, the pioneering efforts of the Whole Earth Catalog extended family—as well as its blunders—deserve a second look, and this clear-eyed examination is a worthy effort in that direction."—
Bloomsbury Review"Kirk fully succeeds in creating a whole catalog of the Whole Earth phenomenon. It is a measure of his success that we yearn to know more."—
New York Times Book Review"Vividly written and deeply researched, Counterculture Green tells a big story about how a group of technophile hippies invented human-scale ecological living and helped to change the world."—David Farber, author of
The Age of Great Dreams: America in the 1960s"This is the story of America’s other environmental movement, one that promoted safe and small technologies, that celebrated human ingenuity as well as the human species, that fostered passionate thinking—and acting—outside the box. . . . Timely, informative, entertaining, and critically important."—Marcus Hall, author of
Earth Repair: A Transatlantic History of Environmental Restoration"A major work of environmental and cultural history."—Ari Kelman, author of
A River and Its City
