In partnership with Longfellow Books, here are some “books worth spreading.” This list has been curated by TEDxDirigo presenters and organizers, featuring the books that have shaped our lives and work. And for a limited time, Latitudes attendees can purchase these books at a discount at Longfellow Books in Portland.
Peaceful Mind, Compassionate Heart by Khen Rhinpoche Lobzang Tsetan
Khen Rinpoche Tsetan has spent over 30 years teaching to Western audiences in the USA and gets to the heart of the Buddha’s teaching using wisdom, humor and compassion for our 21st Century lifestyles and challenges we encounter searching for inner peace. No need to be a Buddhist to benefit from the insights and lessons found within these pages!
- suggested by Lisa Blake, 2010 speaker
The Pathfinder: How to Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success by Nicholas Lore
There are a lot of books like this, but this one actually did help me change my career and my life. I followed the book’s instructions with diligence and faith, which put me on a path that led directly to the best job I’ve ever had — and it’s written by a Mainer, to boot!
- suggested by Jennifer Boggs, TEDxDirigo
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
Though I first read this book as a child, it’s anything but childish. A reminder that life is best lived with curiosity and playfulness.
- suggested by Jennifer Boggs, TEDxDirigo
A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold
One of the most beautiful portrayals of what a sense of place can yield. Leopold’s reflections are prose inspired by the invisible connections of life–ecology. The call for the adoption of “the land ethic” is ever more pertinent today than ever.
- suggested by Adam Burk, TEDxDirigo
Worldchanging, Edited by Alex Steffan
The problems of today can be vastly overwhelming-hunger, climate change, devastating storms, failing economies…what the heck are we going to do? Here is a comprehensive index of solutions currently being deployed on various scales across the world and can be adapted in your community. Read it, get inspired, get to work.
- suggested by Adam Burk, TEDxDirigo
The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
A manifesto for making communication more effective. For there to be hope for grassroots movements, these lessons need to be learned and shared.
- suggested by John Paul Caponigro, 2010 speaker
Slideology … and Resonance by Nancy Duarte
Both volumes are essential manuals for making audio/visual presentations more effective. She helped Al Gore with An Inconvenient Truth. She can help you.
- suggested by John Paul Caponigro, 2010 speaker
MAINE Deepwater Offshore Wind Report by University of Maine and James W.
Sewall Company
This report presents a comprehensive overview of all the environmental,
geographic, economic and permitting issues associated with the development
of deepwater offshore wind in the Gulf of Maine. The study represents four
years of data collection on everything from where right whales migrate, to what piers can handle heavy construction equipment.
- suggested by Dr. Habib Dagher, 2011 presenter
The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje
Why: If we can love, we can create. If we can create, we live. If we live, we have meaning.
- suggested by Kerem Durdag, 2011 presenter
A Pattern Language by Christopher Alexander
- suggested by Michael “Gil” Gilroy, TEDxDirigo
The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell
- suggested by Michael “Gil” Gilroy, TEDxDirigo
Fruitless Fall by Rowan Jacobsen
Rowan did a wonderful job of introducing Colony Collapse Disorder (“that problem with the bees that everybody’s heard about”), and relating it to the much larger agricultural and environmental crises heralded by the bees’ health issues. A real eye-opener and attitude changer – one that goes a long way toward making the connection between bees, our callous treatment of our only planet, and food.
- suggested by Christy Hemenway, 2011 speaker
The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan
Pollan makes very real the connection between our broken food system and our current state of health and “food-angst.” Very revealing and a must-read for anyone the least bit curious about where food actually comes from, how it gets on your plate, and how much the government has to do with it!
- suggested by Christy Hemenway, 2011 speaker
Improvising Real Life: Personal Story in Playback Theatre by Jo Salas
A great “nuts and bolts” book for anyone interested in doing playback.
- suggested by David LaGraffe, 2011 presenter
Acts of Service: Spontaneity, Commitment, Tradition in the Nonscripted Theatre by Jonathan Fox
This is a “digging deeper” book for developing a full philosophical appreciation of the nature of playback theatre.
- suggested by David LaGraffe, 2011 presenter
The Hero With A Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell
This book is amazingly inspirational. It exemplifies the unity of the human society through the discussion of mythology. As a filmmaker, I find that this book contains all the essential ingredients to create a successful narrative story.
- suggested by Dean Merrill, TEDxDirigo
Depth Psychology And A New Ethic by Erich Neumann
Neumann provides a profound discussion of the current state of the human condition. He offers a holistic solution for the next evolution of our society. This is not light reading, but it is profoundly inspirational and enlightening.
- suggested by Dean Merrill, TEDxDirigo
Start with Why by Simon Sinek
A book that reminds us as leaders to begin with belief, purpose and passion and inspire those around us to take action. To bring this purpose into our communication, our decisions, our strategy.
- suggested by Janice O’Rourke, TEDxDirigo
Small is Beautiful by E.F. Schumacher
This book has inspired me to look differently at the world and how I can influence it. So much so, that I have dedicated my life to trying to build the beautiful society that Schumacher discusses. Practically, it has also helped me to start this process, in particular the section where he describes the steps he would take if given control of a large community in the Global South. This is a must-read for any aspiring world-changer.
- suggested by Alex Petroff, TEDxDirigo
Simulacra and Simulation (The Body, In Theory: Histories of Cultural Materialism) by Jean Baudrillard
This book explores the difference between what is real and what is made to appear real. It might as well be the literary soundtrack to The Matrix. Once you see the simulacrum, you realize that it is all around you. A frightening read.
- suggested by John Rooks, 2011 speaker
First as Tragedy, Then as Farce by Slavoy Zizek
Zizek dissects traditional Capitalism and Cause Capitalism with a razor sharp scalpel. He demonstrates how the rules of Capitalism permit consumers to continue the same behaviors (over consumption) that created environmental degradation, while thinking that they are part of the solution.
- suggested by John Rooks, 2011 speaker
Reality is Broken by Jane McGonigal
Mcgonigal explores how the mechanics found in online gaming — engagement, meaning, optimism, and collaboration — can unleash the great potential of our society to solve its most intractable problems.
- suggested by Eli Stefanski, 2011 speaker
Sorcerers and Their Apprentices by Frank Moss
Moss showcases the anti-disciplinary thinking and creativity that is producing transformative solutions to today’s “wicked problems.”
- suggested by Eli Stefanski, 2011 speaker
Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way we Make Things by William McDonough and Michael Braungart
This book offers a visionary, exciting, positive, and practical approach to solving environmental challenges by focusing on new technologies and ideas for producing what we need and want in ways that are restorative and healthy. Going beyond just doing “better,” this book offers an approach that is 100% good.
- suggested by Zoe Weil, 2010 speaker
Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer
Here is a soul-searching, jam-packed, beautifully written, painstakingly researched and captivating read about one of the most important daily choices each of us makes regarding food. Neither a diet book nor a polemic, Foer’s book unfolds richly and meaningfully and leaves readers with important decisions to make for their own sake and the sake of animals and the environment.
- suggested by Zoe Weil, 2010 speaker
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
It is a book that is read by many of us as teenagers. I think it should be read again as a adult (or me, more than once). It is a book about race in America. But it is also a book about ordinary people who are faced with difficult decisions. And finally, for me, it is a book about courage.
- suggested by Steve Wessler, 2011 speaker
Books by TEDxDirigo Speakers
Fambul Tok by Libby Hoffman
More Than Promote – A monkeywrencher’s guide to authentic marketing by John Rooks
Most Good, Least Harm by Zoe Weil
The Respectful School by Steve Wessler