When Voluntary Simplicity was first published in 1981, it quickly became recognized as a powerful and visionary work in the emerging dialogue over sustainable ways of living. Now, more than ten years later and with many of the planet's environmental stresses having become more urgent than ever, Duane Elgin has revised and updated his revolutionary book.Voluntary Simplicity is not a book about living in poverty; it is a book about living with balance. It illuminates the pattern of changes that an increasing number of Americans are making in their everyday lives -- adjustments in day-to-day living that are an active, positive response to the complex dilemmas of our time. By embracing, either partially or totally, the tenets of voluntary simplicity -- frugal consumption, ecological awareness, and personal growth -- people can change their lives. And in the process, they have the power to change the world. First published in 1981, Voluntary Simplicity was instantly recognized as a visionary work. The New York Times called it "seminal"; the Wall Street Journal noted that it was "considered the movement's Bible." Revised in 1993 to address the trend toward downshifting, this pertinent book helps us to adjust our thoughts, habits, and goals and embrace the key elements of simplicity: frugal consumption, ecological awareness and personal growth. bookswagon.com ReviewVoluntary Simplicity by Duane Elgin, first published in 1981 and revised in 1993, is the sacred text for those wanting to liberate themselves from enslavement to a job and the pursuit of status symbols. Elgin's work emerges from a concern for the environmental consequences of our mass consumption lifestyles. His book exhorts us to save the planet and our souls by "living with balance in order to find a life of greater purpose."Review"Promise Aheadis a corrective to the negative messages about the state of our world that are prevalent today. Elgin provides a compelling blueprint for the future that is both hopeful and doable. This book deserves the attention of our entire society." --Larry Dossey, M.D., author of "Reinventing Medicine" and "Healing Words""Promise Aheadis a powerful message for our time, a seminal contribution to the new story, and essential reading for those dedicated to creating a world that works for all." --David C. Korten, author of "The Post-corporate World" and "When Corporations Rule the World" "Promise Aheadis essential reading for people flooded with information yet filled with confusion. Never before have humans had to function responsibly and gracefully as citizens of the whole earth. Thankfully, Duane Elgin has the courage and the credentials to provide us with a visionaryandplausible road map into the deep future." --Vicki Robin, coauthor with Joe Dominguez of "Your Money or Your Life""Promise Aheadoffers us a new framework for our conscious evolution. A gem to inaugurate the twenty-first century." --Barbara Hubbard, author of "Conscious Evolution" and "The Evolutionary Journey""A copy of this book in every American household could change the course of history..." --George Leonard, author of "The Transformation""A passionate and wide-ranging book that demonstrates the elegance of simplicity ..." --Sam Keen, author of "Fire in the Belly""Duane Elgin already lives the future he writes about. Elgin writes with personality, passion, and persistence. The result is a well-reasoned and plausible promise that includes some mighty big challenges. Duane Elgin is calling us on a hero's journey where we can all be heroes." --Robert Johansen, president, Institute for the Future From the Back CoverA passionate and wide-ranging book that demonstrates the elegance of simplicity . . . It is a manifesto for the only kind of future that promises sanity and the possibility of contentment. Bread and wine for the spirit. Sam Keen, author of Fire in the Belly.A copy of this book in every American househol