title: The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth Community
author:  David C. Korten 
description: The Great Turning sets forth a compelling, devastating, and ultimately profoundly hopeful story that provides a framework for the new, unifying political conversation our nation so desperately needs. A must-read for every person of conscience.<br /> <b>Van Jones, Executive Director, The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights<br /> </b><br /> What a gift David Korten has given us with this prophetic book! In this well-written and thorough story of the crises of late Modernity, Korten gives us a beautifully reasoned, carefully researched look at why we absolutely have to turn away from imperial power and wealth and, instead, create an Earth Community. This is a must-read for activists, for lovers of contemporary American studies, and for Cultural Creatives.<br /> <b>Paul H. Ray, coauthor of The Cultural Creatives<br /> </b><br /> Employing history, psychology, economics, spirituality, and common sense, Korten not only critiques the dilemma we are in as a species, he also shows us doable and workable ways out of our morass. He has cre- ated a tour de force a call to compassion as much as a blueprint for survival. This book is a kind of Bible to the 21st century, a revelation of where we might travel if we have the moral imagination and the courage to choose and act wisely.<br /> <b>Matthew Fox, educator and theologian, author of Original Blessing and A New Reformation<br /> </b><br /> If you read only one book on how to address the looming ecological and social crises facing humanity, make it this one! Korten fearlessly grapples with the big picture and goes beyond merely diagnosing the problem (which he does with great precision), as he outlines a positive and realistic plan for actually creating a just and sustainable global society.<br /> <b>David Cobb, 2004 Green Party United States Presidential Candidate<br /> </b><br /> Korten has done it againcreated a masterpiece of big thinking to help us find our way in this death-or-life historical moment. With fascinating analogies, intriguing stories, and eloquent analysis, Korten engages and emboldens us to believe that we can trust and cultivate the best in our- selves and, despite the lateness of the hour, choose life.<br /> <b>Frances Moore Lapp, author of Hopes Edge and Democracy</b>
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  _Begin Reading_
  
   _orbit extras_
  
   _Table of Contents_
  
   _Copyright Page_
  
   _Dedicated to the memory of Steve Larson, teacher, musician, theorist, lover
  of games, punster, oenophile, and all-around great, funny, brilliant guy._  
   _Gone way too soon._
  
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   ** _Acknowledgments_**
  
  My thanks to the knowledgeable people who advised me on matters both large and
  small:
  
  Fragano Ledgister (the Caribbean and theories of revolution), Gerald Rasmussen
  (politics), Marie Brennan (long hair), David B. Coe (tariffs and taxes),
  A’ndrea Messer (natural history aka science, as well as substantial assistance
  with the map), Jay Silverstein (empire and Mesoamerica), Alexander Rasmussen-
  Silverstein (there can never be enough Napoleon), Raina Storer (buttons &
  cookies), and Alyssa Louie (putting me in touch with the right people), like
  my sagacious physics advisor, Kurtis Nishimura.
  
  My excelle