Comments and Reviews for The Soul of Economies
“Érefreshing and imaginative. Without preaching, the authors remind us that we create our economies. Economies are not governed by immutable law but generated by our own belief systems. This book tells us we can rebuild economic life based on our common sense and deepest values. Certainly a timely call in a world where many people see economies leaving millions hungry and destroying the environment as beyond our control—and responsibility.”
Frances Moore Lappe, author of Rediscovering America’s Values
“It is a book which takes a whole new courageous, spiritual perspective on matters of economics. The authors ought to be celebrated for their visionary scope and grasp.”
— Amitai Etzioni, author of The Moral Dimension: Toward a New Economics
“An important new contribution to the global debate which is redefining development beyond “economism” and, at last, clarifying the difference between money and wealth.”
— Hazel Henderson, futurist and author of The Politics of the Solar Age
“In exceptionally direct and down-to-earth language—for they are determined to be understood—Breton and Largent say important things about an immensely important subject. I found their analysis of the four stages through which economies develop especially insightful.”
— Huston Smith, religion scholar and author of
The Religions of Man, The Forgotten Truth, and Beyond the Postmodern Mind
“A fascinating book!” — Charles T. Tart, psychologist and author
of Transpersonal Psychology
“We are going to have to reconstruct the world economies on the basis of totally different values than the present ones of greed, usury, and speculation. The public pressure for this, in both industrialized and developing countries, will continue to build. Any contribution to a better and more widespread understanding of what the new forms may be is most welcome. This book’s tying in of economic arguments with traditional religious texts is unique. The authors are to be commended for this fascinating contribution to the dialogue.”
— Willis Harman, author of Global Mind Change
“A wonder! The book shows us so clearly where we are and takes us so surely to the deep ground for change.”
— Douglas Bowman, author of
Beyond the Modern Mind: The Spiritual and Ethical Challenge of the Environmental Crisis
“A fine piece of work. As the planetary crisis deepens, more and more of us are realizing that basic spiritual attitudes are at the heart of our destructive behavior. With enough writings that draw religion and economics together, perhaps the habits of mind of the next generation will be less fragmented in this regard.”
— John B. Cobb, Jr., theologian and co-author
with economist Herman Daly of For the Common Good
“The philosophy underlying modern economics is materialism and super-greed. This timely book by Breton and Largent challenges the philosophical basis for ideas popular today. It is a thought-provoking approach that could provide solutions to individual and social ills.”
— Ravi Batra, economist and author
of The Downfall of Capitalism and Communism: Can Capitalism Be Saved?
“To me, one of the book’s main achievements is to bridge effectively the gaps between practice and philosophy; between the secular and the metaphysical; and between the individual and the cosmos. The book avoids any sense of dogma. Anyone who has read the Bible, no matter in what context or within what denomination, is likely to be gripped by the second half of the book.”
— Gordon Graham, editor of Logos and of Publishers Weekly’s international section
“THE SOUL OF ECONOMIES is perhaps the clearest, best written book in that newest of genres, religion/business. Trained in comparative religion and philosophy, Christopher Largent and Denise Breton are reminiscent of Will and Ariel Durant in their ability to confront philosophical problems and present practical solutions in an exoteric way.”
— Publishers Weekly
“This unique addition to philosophy and economics defines economics in terms a greater populace can embrace and understand. The authors present two types of economies—one defining a haphazard “billiard-ball” approach, where economic growth and inevitable stagnation create a predatory atmosphere, the other a “whole-seeking” approach in which an intentionally interdependent economy benefits all. The authors are to be commended for taking a much misunderstood, murky topic and making it approachable for the general reader.”
— Library Journal
“This husband-wife team tackles the important philosophical and practical issues of economy, and they do so with great competence and with what the Buddhists call ‘right vision.’ They show how all economies are governed by metaphysical ‘maps,’ even where the underlying metaphysics is decidedly materialistic. ”
— Spectrum Review
“An unusual, very thoughtful work that shows us how spirituality, and an understanding of inner working, can help guide us into the rough-and-tumble marketplace. The authors have a remarkable grasp on making an economy grow (individual businesses, too). There’s a little something for everyone here, and it all makes very good sense. This is a very valuable, really fascinating book.”
— The Book Reader
“Once in awhile a book comes along that truly stimulates, not to be just read but to be used. This book is such a volume. It is a beautiful thing in its contemplations of cause and effect. It reflects upon the intrinsic philosophies behind the quest for material possession, money power and super wealth. I believe this book should be required reading on every college campus having to do with the study of ethics, particularly business ethics. ”
— Friend’s Review
“The authors’ expressed aim is to empower readers to take charge of their worlds via their world views—to use philosophies as power-tools for rebuilding economies. Insightful and timely reading for our nation’s current economic dilemmas.”
— The Bookwatch
“An ambitious, exciting challenge to traditional thinking about economics, The Soul of Economies integrates philosophy and business with both Eastern and Western religious teachings. Written by and for intelligent people who are not economists, the book argues that economies are not determined by impersonal market forces, but by the personal philosophies of individuals. We are by no means powerless.”
— NAPRA Trade Journal