Professionals & Academics
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The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times (Global Icons Series)
In a world that seems so troubled, how do we hold on to hope?
Looking at the headlines―the worsening climate crisis, a global pandemic, loss of biodiversity, political upheaval―it can be hard to feel optimistic. And yet hope has never been more desperately needed.
In this urgent book, Jane Goodall, the world's most famous living naturalist, and Douglas Abrams, the internationally bestselling 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.
Drawing on decades of work that has helped expand our understanding of what it means to be human and what we all need to do to help build a better world, The Book of Hope touches on vital questions, including: How do we stay hopeful when everything seems hopeless? How do we cultivate hope in our children? What is the relationship between hope and action? Filled with moving and inspirational stories and photographs from Jane's remarkable career, The Book of Hope is a deeply personal conversation with one of the most beloved figures in the world today.
While discussing the experiences that shaped her discoveries and beliefs, Jane tells the story of how she became a messenger of hope, from living through World War II to her years in Gombe to realizing she had to leave the forest to travel the world in her role as an advocate for environmental justice. And for the first time, she shares her profound revelations about her next, and perhaps final, adventure.
The second book in the Global Icons Series―which launched with the instant classic The Book of Joy with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu―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 around us and has spent a lifetime fighting for our future.
There is still hope, and this book will help guide us to it.
Looking at the headlines―the worsening climate crisis, a global pandemic, loss of biodiversity, political upheaval―it can be hard to feel optimistic. And yet hope has never been more desperately needed.
In this urgent book, Jane Goodall, the world's most famous living naturalist, and Douglas Abrams, the internationally bestselling 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.
Drawing on decades of work that has helped expand our understanding of what it means to be human and what we all need to do to help build a better world, The Book of Hope touches on vital questions, including: How do we stay hopeful when everything seems hopeless? How do we cultivate hope in our children? What is the relationship between hope and action? Filled with moving and inspirational stories and photographs from Jane's remarkable career, The Book of Hope is a deeply personal conversation with one of the most beloved figures in the world today.
While discussing the experiences that shaped her discoveries and beliefs, Jane tells the story of how she became a messenger of hope, from living through World War II to her years in Gombe to realizing she had to leave the forest to travel the world in her role as an advocate for environmental justice. And for the first time, she shares her profound revelations about her next, and perhaps final, adventure.
The second book in the Global Icons Series―which launched with the instant classic The Book of Joy with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu―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 around us and has spent a lifetime fighting for our future.
There is still hope, and this book will help guide us to it.
Editorial Reviews
**As seen in TIME, CBS Sunday Morning, The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Washington Post, Parade, AARP, and Guideposts**
"I don't feel there could have been a more timely moment for this book to be coming into our lives... it's the book we've been waiting for. It's the book we've been hoping for."
―Jay Shetty, On Purpose Purpose
"Despite the many issues of our collective culture, The Book of Hope is a perfect example of how we can still dream and create a better world. It's an amazing book that takes you on an extraordinary journey, and once you read it, you too will experience the many profound reasons for hope."
―Deepak Chopra
"...An informative road map of ideas for ways in which every person may help bring about positive change in the world."
―NPR Books
Goodall's "infectious optimism and stirring call to action make this necessary reading for those concerned about the planet's future... [Her] rousing testament will resonate widely."
―Publisher's Weekly, starred review
"Goodall's words and wisdom will resonate in your heart and soul, inspiring action, change, and, yes, hope."
―Business Insider
"Goodall's eloquent reflections prove strikingly persuasive and often profoundly moving."
―Christian Science Monitor
"Vibrant with wry humor, scientific fact, grassroots advances, compassion, and spiritual depth, this compelling and enlightening dialogue of hope amplifies Goodall's mantra: 'Together we can. Together we will.'"
―Booklist, starred review
"Ultimately, this is less a self-help book than the personal testament of a traditional idealist with the belief that we are put on Earth for a purpose...An estimable researcher and activist tells stories and delivers uplifting advice."
―Kirkus Reviews
"A lifetime of experience and wisdom combines with much-needed optimism in this guide to the climate crisis and what we can do about it."
―The Guardian
"I don't feel there could have been a more timely moment for this book to be coming into our lives... it's the book we've been waiting for. It's the book we've been hoping for."
―Jay Shetty, On Purpose Purpose
"Despite the many issues of our collective culture, The Book of Hope is a perfect example of how we can still dream and create a better world. It's an amazing book that takes you on an extraordinary journey, and once you read it, you too will experience the many profound reasons for hope."
―Deepak Chopra
"...An informative road map of ideas for ways in which every person may help bring about positive change in the world."
―NPR Books
Goodall's "infectious optimism and stirring call to action make this necessary reading for those concerned about the planet's future... [Her] rousing testament will resonate widely."
―Publisher's Weekly, starred review
"Goodall's words and wisdom will resonate in your heart and soul, inspiring action, change, and, yes, hope."
―Business Insider
"Goodall's eloquent reflections prove strikingly persuasive and often profoundly moving."
―Christian Science Monitor
"Vibrant with wry humor, scientific fact, grassroots advances, compassion, and spiritual depth, this compelling and enlightening dialogue of hope amplifies Goodall's mantra: 'Together we can. Together we will.'"
―Booklist, starred review
"Ultimately, this is less a self-help book than the personal testament of a traditional idealist with the belief that we are put on Earth for a purpose...An estimable researcher and activist tells stories and delivers uplifting advice."
―Kirkus Reviews
"A lifetime of experience and wisdom combines with much-needed optimism in this guide to the climate crisis and what we can do about it."
―The Guardian
Readers Top Reviews
amgrassi
I was super excited to get my hot little hands on this book, I mean, it is Jane Goodall! And so here are the deets…. ?We are living in a crazy world right now, discrimination of many kinds, political, terrorist attacks, hate crimes, climate issues, COVID - should I go on? But there is hope! And in this book Jane (yes, we are on a first name basis now ?) discusses her four reasons for hope - the amazing human intellect, the resilience of nature, the power of young people, and the indomitable human spirit. ?I really enjoyed the stories, or should I say experiences that Jane had and how they translated into hope, as well as all the pictures sprinkled throughout the book. If there ever was someone that could bring hope, this lady knows how to do it with such a refreshing, positive outlook on all things. I must say I was expecting a bit more, it is Jane Goodall after all! However, it was just one long question/answer interview with Mr. Abrams asking questions and Jane answering them. With that said, it seems to fall flat quite often. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a very uplifting, hopeful book, I just wish it were written a bit differently.
Patricia A. Nelson
I have greatly admired Jane and now Doug also in what was for me this easy to understand book. There is so much here to provide hope ln the present and the future. We can and we will continue to exist.
C
This book is the result of conversations between legendary primatologist Jane Goodall and author Douglas Abrams. The book is divided into three main sections: What is Hope?, Jane's Four Reasons for Hope, and Becoming a Messenger of Hope. There are about 31 “chapters”, though they are not numbered or structured in a traditional way, they are more like subsections. There are about 240 pages in the digital version. In the introduction “An Invitation to Hope”, Jane Goodall begins to explain why she is still hopeful about the future, even though she has lived through so many tragic events and seen so much suffering in her almost 90 years of life. She explains that real hope is not just wishful thinking, but instead involves taking action. In the first part of the book, Abrams describes arriving at Goodall's home in Tanzania, meeting her extended family, enjoying a meal, and discussing the meaning of hope. Goodall gives her definition of hope, describes herself as a naturalist, and discusses her early life. She talks about the influence of Dr. Leakey, and her experiences in Gombe with chimpanzees. She also explains how she is able to maintain hope even in difficult times. Part Two explains Goodall's four main reasons for having hope: 1) The Amazing Human Intellect, 2) The Resilience of Nature, 3) The Power of Young People, and 4) The Indomitable Human Spirit. Throughout these sections there are many beautiful pictures, mostly black and white images, that are related to her stories as she describes her life experiences. In the last part of the book, Abrams describes Zoom interviews with Goodall where she discusses a few different topics, including Goodall's thoughts about her own death. At the very end of the book there is another chapter written by Goodall, explaining how she still remains positive, even though she was initially frustrated by how the pandemic hampered her ability to travel and spread her messages of hope. After realizing that she can still reach so many people through virtual conferences, recorded videos, and her “hopecast”, she is now as determined and optimistic as ever. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. Hearing from such a pioneer and legendary figure in the field of anthropology is such a treat, and Goodall's unique life experience affords her a perspective on the world that is really remarkable and worth paying attention to. I found the book to be inspiring and fascinating; I appreciate Goodall taking the time to spread her message, and am especially grateful for her efforts to reach young people.
Gregory Overcashierk
I would have prefered a book written by Jane Goodall. I didn't finish the previous book co-authored by Mr. Abrams with Desmond Tutu and Dalai Lama. The book has too much constant interruption by Mr. Abrams just like the Book of Joy which I found very repetitive and boring after a while. It seems like everytime Ms. Goodall gets going on a subject or train of thought it is interrupted by Mr. Abram's opinion or questions. I don't think this style of writing honors these great people.
