The Book of Hope

There are times, when I read a particular book, I wish I could meet the author.  “The Book of Hope” heightened that desire to have met Jane Goodall.  Not only did she and Douglas Abrams write about hope, she seemed to personify hope as Abrams interviewed her.  The format of the book was Abrams interviewing Goodall and sharing some of his own insights along the way.  It also became obvious that Goodall’s influence and interests reached far beyond her work with chimpanzees.  And her habit of a ‘tot’ of whiskey every night was intriguing as well.

From the books back cover:  “In this urgent book, Jane Goodall, the worlds most famous living naturalist, and Doug Abrams, co-author of “The Book of Joy,” explore through intimate and thought-provoking dialogue one of the most sought-after and least understood elements of human nature: hope.  In “The Book of Hope,” Jane focuses on her ‘four reasons for hope,’ the amazing human intellect, the resilience of nature, the power of young people, and the indomitable human spirit.  Filled with inspiring stories and original photographs, “The Book of Hope” is a rare and intimate look, not only at the nature of hope, but also into the heart and mind of a woman who revolutionized how we view the world and has spent a lifetime fighting for our future.”

Once comment on the third reason for hope, the power of young people. She met hundreds of young people in her world travels making people aware of the environmental crisis.  She claimed she enjoyed interacting with young people the most.  She was inspired, in 1991 to begin a youth program called, Roots and Shoots.  Jane quoted a story:  “We have not inherited the Earth from our ancestors but borrowed it from our children.”  Jane instead said “We have not borrowed it from our children, we have stolen it.”  Roots and Shoots has chapters in over 65 countries and has helped young people find a voice an influence in dealing with the climate crisis.

Hope, Jane defines it as, “is what enables us to keep going in the face of adversity.  It is what we desire to happen, but we must be prepared to work to make it so.”  She also comments:  “Hope, on the other hand, is a stubborn determination to do all you can to make it work. And hope is something we can cultivate.”  What I see in those comments on hope is that we envision something that we desire, then work to make it happen.  No ‘pie in the sky, by and by’ kind of fantasy.  She also cites scientific research on hope and talks about 4 concepts essential to allow hope to thrive:  realistic goals, realistic pathways to achieve them, confidence to that they can be achieved, and support along the way from others.  Good“ thoughts for the EcoFaith team and others struggling to increase creation care and mitigate the environmental crisis the world is in. 

The book is full of stories to go along with the ideas of hope and addressing the environmental crisis.  The stories are well worth the read for inspiration and enjoyment.  Jane ends the book with this hope-filled desire:  ”Together we CAN!  Together we WILL!  Yes we can, and we will – for we must.  Let us use the gift of our lives to make this a better world.  For the sake of our children and theirs.  For the sake of those struggling in poverty.  For the sake of the lonely.  And for the sake of our brothers and sisters in the natural world – the animals, the plants, the trees.  Find your reasons for hope and let them guide you onward.”