Reading List

One of the most provocative thinkers of our times makes a powerful myth-shattering call to arms to save the planet. This book changed the way I think about topics I’ve thought about for a long time.

The premier localist economist and author (Going Local, The Small-Mart Revolution) makes a strong and stimulating case for moving money from Wall Street to Main Street: why, how and what stands in the way.

In this splendid book the former publisher of Business Ethics Magazine (and author of another great book – The Divine Right of Capital) explores the meaning of the generative economy of the future and examines the current signs of its emergence.

Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard’s enthusiastic first book (Let My People Go Surfing) is followed here with the nuts and bolts: what did Patagonia do to become the most honest, accountable, and ethical company in the world? (as far as I’m concerned!!).

Historian and political economist Gar Alperovitz builds an inspiring vision for long-term change on a withering assessment of the state of U.S. democracy.

The late Kenneth Boulding once said: “Anyone who believes that exponential growth can go on forever is either a madman or an economist. “ Here’s why it can’t , and what a new era of progress might be like.

With heavy doses of both humor and wisdom Ari reveals the methods and the madness that led the fabled Ann Arbor deli Zingerman's to become a thriving community of successful and progressive businesses.

Here it is - the next economy writ large. Uncompromising criticism of where we are and how we got here and a comprehensive prescription for transformation to an attractive and plausible future.

An epic adventure about the reclusive Tarahumara Indians in Mexico which, through remarkable characters and stories, becomes a journey about values, community, and human evolution.

The CEO of the legendary design firm IDEO proposed that Design Thinking – the idea that every problem is a design problem – wil need to become a part of every successful organization.

The noted author and National Affairs Correspondent for the Nation helps us understand the profound challenges and opportunities of the great transitions to come.

Another eloquent – and troubling – call to action for the planet. Orr combines science, history, and public policy to make a compelling case that effective political leadership is the essential missing ingredient standing in our way.

For McKibben, climate change is not about the future – we’ve already changed the planet irrevocably. Now, as we try to minimize the damage, we have to learn how to live in this new place.

For over 30 years Lester Brown has been keeping us abreast of the State of the World, environmentally. His latest, Plan B 4.0, is a road map to real climate change solutions

The former director of Greenpeace and long-time corporate sustainability consultant takes us on a journey to the future of our economy

In this beautifully written small volume the author makes a compelling statement about why perpetual growth is not – and can’t be – the answer to our economic struggles.

The best primer on employee ownership, this useful book comes from the Ohio Employee Ownership Center, which has actively and successfully helped Ohio companies for decades

Sociobiologist Costa explores the capacity of the human brain, and how we can use ours to solve our greatest problems.

The subtitle is A Crash Course on Making Your Place in the World – it’s about innovation, radical collaboration and harnessing the unexpected.