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Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization (Substantially Revised) 2009-10-22

Reviewer: craigjan

Brown's contemporary plan for saving human civilization is a "MUST READ" on the primary reading source for my doctoral International Communications course. My environmentalist-professor sensed that we not only hadn't read this book but that we didn't care enough about the frightening discoveries that each chapter of the book brings to the surface of the reader's mind. Just the chapter alone on Water Shortages springing food shortages, around the world is enough to make you realize these topics address issues that affect each of us, the haves and the have nots, regardless of SES factors, developing or underdeveloped nations, or the way we orientalize others in comparison to ourselves. Brown's push towards a speedy global mobilization against disastrous termination of our natural systems will cause annihilation of human existence, including me and my progeny. It makes you realize that no one on earth escapes the impact to our humanity. For those with a conscience, it moves your thinking towards seeing how those from affluent and water-abundant countries will respond to countries less fortunate. It makes you say, "what can I do to make a difference." Brown's book is raising my consciousness level and conscience on the as we-speak-threats to our human existence for the next century. His content is not all bleak. He offers solutons and preventative actions.

Brown Has It Right 2009-09-12

Reviewer: B. McDonnell

Curiously, not many people I speak with have heard of Plan B, Plan B 2.0, nor Plan B 3.0. This is a shame, as this book, following in the footsteps of Brown's previous works, is one of the most well written and clearly described work on what is going wrong with our society and with our current way of living. Not just a polemic on the behavior of the U.S., but of all states that seem unwilling to accept a reality that is sure to cost us all very dearly.

Good info, lackluster read 2009-08-10

Reviewer: A. Sutton

I had to read this for my generic humanities class. Of the five books I read that semester, this one is by far my least favorite (I didn't even finish it, it was quite boring). However, the primary benefit to reading this book is that Mr. Brown takes the time to explain the facts behind certain basic issues that no one ever pays attention to, like water and food sustainability. With this book, my instructor was able to unite liberal and conservative minds into the mindset of, "How can we sustain civilization?"

One great reason to buy this book: If you think that there's nothing wrong with the way humans live today, that we can keep our excess and carelessness going forever.

Plan A 2009-07-26

Reviewer: Avals Sher

This is an inspiring call to action, no doubt - although some of suggestions seem too tame to cause any real change and unlikely to occur, given that the magic 2020 is in almost 10 years and the reduction of global carbon dioxide emissions by 80% seems doubtful, even if US throws it's full weight behind Plan B - which given the current economic "climate" is unlikely. Then, you'll face developing nations who will likely want some payment in some form to keep them from escolating development with the common argument being - "why can't we do something that you've already done so successfully?" So, let's see Plan B work in China before the plan meets with reality. Changing all the lightbulbs will not save the world by 2020. Brown also is a big proponent of dropping our dependence on coal - great - and he likes to switch over to solar and wind power. The problem? The best areas for solar and wind power in US, for example, are in the middle of desserts where power grids can't handle the infussion of electricity - so, you've got to upgrade the power grid before you can switch. And with developing nations that don't even have a adequate power grid yet, asking them to shore it up while a large portion of their population is barely surviving is hard without Brown's version of the Marshall plan, which unless something changes soon, will not happen in the next 10 years. It's said that "Plan B would cost the world an additional $190 billion a year" and also is often compared to the "the price tag to the global military budget, which stands at more than $1.2 trillion." Yes, but comparing is good, but try to get the governments to move over the money from military to envirnment, even US government - not going to happen. So a great blueprint, but in all reality - unless we have a visitor from space that makes the earth stand still for a day, Plan B will not take place.

On a separate point, I think for someone toating environmentalism, Plan A should have been to stop putting out Plan B 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, etc. Given that the changing of the subtitle of the book is allegedly because of Earth's worsening condition, it's a bit hypocritical to kill more trees to tell us about it. See [....]

Yes, the book is offered online. But, then why do new versions of the book need to be offered again and again in paperback. There are of course the new buyers, but given that this is a widely read book in colleges, most professors would be forced to buy the book again. Wouldn't it have been better to put out just maybe a fifty page update in paperback and save the book for used sales and the internet. Oh, wait. Brown needs money - that's his Plan A. And if saying that something is "substantially revised" is not a sales pitch, I don't know what is. P.S. For anyone who thinks I'm kidding, Plan B 4.0 is coming out in October of this year. Check it out - also in paperback (I wonder what edition of the book we'll be on in 2020).

Good for a biginner - but..... 2009-05-05

Reviewer: J. Audette

I found this informative in a general way, but if you're looking for specific tasks to be accomplished to reach goals, you won't find it here. The book lacks the one thing so many of us are looking for right now - it doesn't answer the question "What can I do?" I don't need another book to make me feel better, I need a good book to help me DO BETTER.