This post is for the very intelligent and inquisitive young lady (I won't post her name out of respect) I met at Barnes & Noble this evening. I wish I had had more time to discuss "how things came to be this way," but, I realize that other obligations can come up. I didn't even get to discuss 1/2 of the things I would have liked to so that you could understand the predicament we are in as a species and so that you could understand some of my more cryptic comments.

But, as you asked for, here is a list of books to start you on the path. I hope I didn't scare you or intimidate you at all, as I am known to do so at times. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me through comments on this blog and I will respond in kind.

Aaaaand...the list:

Books (I know it looks like a lot, but check them out one by one. You won't be sorry!):

• Ishmael by Daniel Quinn
• The Story of B by Daniel Quinn
• My Ishmael by Daniel Quinn
• Original Wisdom, Stories of an Ancient Way of Knowing by Robert Wolff
• Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond
• Collapse by Jared Diamond
• Endgame Volumes 1: The Problem of Civilization by Derrick Jensen
• Endgame Volume 2: Resistance by Derrick Jensen
• As the World Burns, 50 Things You Can do to Stay in Denial by Derrick Jensen
• A Language Older Than Words by Derrick Jensen
• The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan
• The Paleo Diet By Dr. Loren Cordain
• Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser
• Sacred and Herbal Healing Beers by Stephen Harrod Buhner
• Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk
• The Way of the Scout by Tom Brown Jr.
• How Shall I Live My Life? On Liberating Earth From Civilization by Derrick Jensen
• The Culture of Make Believe by Derrick Jensen
• The Vegetarian Myth: Food, Justice and Sustainability by Lierre Keith
• Primal Body - Primal Mind: Empower Your Total Health the Way Evolution Intended (...and Didn't) by Nora Teresa Gedgaudas

Videos:

• Zeitgeist (http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/) - check out the whole thing, but start watching at the 11 minute (11:00) mark. THAT will throw you for a loop!
• Robert Newman's "A History of Oil" (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5267640865741878159#) - This will change the way you see our current predicament.
• AVATAR - But you know this one!
• CRUDE - The Movie
• FLOW (For Love Of Water)

I know that I have lots more, but I don't want to overwhelm you!

Good Luck!

BTW - I will be at B & N most Mondays (including next week) around 5:30 at the same spot if you would like to learn more firsthand. Simply post a response here to let me know and I will be there.