Reviews
Comprehensive and crystal clear--what we need to make sustainable development a reality, not a dream., A comprehensive introduction to the field of sustainable development by one of its leading scholars, advocates, and practitioners.... Recommended., The Age of Sustainable Development is my candidate for most important book in current circulation. Inspirational, encyclopedic in coverage, moving smoothly from discipline to discipline as though composed by multiple experts, Sachs explains why humanity must attain sustainability as its highest priority -- and he outlines the best ways to do it., Comprehensive and Crystal Clear-What We Need to Make Sustainable Development a Reality, Not a Dream., This terrific book stands out for its breadth, clarity, mastery of detail, honest discussion of complex matters, and its author's practical experience and good sense. It is actually ten terrific books under one cover because its accounts of economics, history, health, development, education, gender issues, food, climate change and biological diversity are among the best available. If you want to understand the modern world, and if you have room on your shelf for only one book, this is your book., The Age of Sustainable Development is both sobering and inspiring: sobering because it presents in great detail the unprecedented challenges facing mankind; inspiring because it assures us that we can meet those challenges, if only we summon the will to act., ...clear straightforward prose and a wealth of statistics...Sachs balances alarming forecasts with signs of progress..., Sachs Has Probably Produced the Best Book to Date on How to Manage the Planet for 10 Billion People., The Age of Sustainable Development is my candidate for most important book in current circulation. Inspirational, encyclopedic in coverage, moving smoothly from discipline to discipline as though composed by multiple experts, Sachs explains why humanity must attain sustainability as its highest priority--and he outlines the best ways to do it., There are very few authors that can so effectively rally the masses around an important cause -- one that in this case concerns our collective future. There are still too few leaders with knowledge about global sustainable development challenges to affect the scalable changes that are needed. Professor Sachs' book is a comprehensive summary of complex issues, but it breaks them down and makes them digestible and understandable while making the imperative clear. It will clearly contribute significantly in closing the gap between science and policy, and hopefully serve as a catalyst for action., The Age of Sustainable Development is my candidate for most important book in current circulation. Inspirational, encyclopedic in coverage, moving smoothly from discipline to discipline as though composed by multiple experts, the book explains why humanity must attain sustainability as its highest priority--and outlines the best ways to do it., A comprehensive and incisive overview of some of the biggest challenges facing the world today and further confirmation, if it were needed, that Jeffrey Sachs remains one of the most astute and authoritative observers of the age of sustainable development., As the concept of sustainable development comes of age, Jeffrey Sachs takes us on a journey from the intellectual and normative origins to the science of complexity which define today's development choices. In a compelling and often personal and engaged narrative, "The Age of Sustainable Development" reads like a 'looking glass' through which to glimpse the future - a future still characterised by more questions than answers as to how 9 billion will - together - govern the sustainable development of our planet., a perceptive, analytical, and hopeful book about the future...This landmark in economic publications presents a brilliant examination of major worldwide threats to the planet and puts forward ways to balance economic development and environmental sustainability to overcome those threats...It is a magnum opus; the chief source of information for any person interested in understanding what sustainable development is all about., Clear straightforward prose and a wealth of statistics.... Sachs balances alarming forecasts with signs of progress., an important, comprehensive and remarkably accessible book--a standout in a sea ofjargon-laden titles that fail to explain and vivify this enormously complex topic, An important, comprehensive and remarkably accessible book--a standout in a sea ofjargon-laden titles that fail to explain and vivify this enormously complex topic, There are very few authors that can so effectively rally the masses around an important cause--one that in this case concerns our collective future. There are still too few leaders with knowledge about global sustainable development challenges to affect the scalable changes that are needed. Professor Sachs's book is a comprehensive summary of complex issues, but it breaks them down and makes them digestible and understandable while making the imperative clear. It will clearly contribute significantly in closing the gap between science and policy, and hopefully serve as a catalyst for action., An important, comprehensive and remarkably accessible book-a standout in a sea ofjargon-laden titles that fail to explain and vivify this enormously complex topic, A comprehensive and incisive overview of some of the biggest challenges facing the world today and further confirmation, if it were needed, that Sachs remains one of the most astute and authoritative observers of the age of sustainable development., There are very few authors that can so effectively rally the masses around an important cause-one that in this case concerns our collective future. There are still too few leaders with knowledge about global sustainable development challenges to affect the scalable changes that are needed. Professor Sachs's book is a comprehensive summary of complex issues, but it breaks them down and makes them digestible and understandable while making the imperative clear. It will clearly contribute significantly in closing the gap between science and policy, and hopefully serve as a catalyst for action., It is truly gratifying that an economist as distinguished as Jeffrey Sachs has authored The Age of Sustainable Development . His vast knowledge in the field and deep insights on various sectors of economic activity make him uniquely qualified to provide a view of the subject. Given the fact that almost a quartercentury has gone by since the Rio Summit of 1992, it is time for an authoritative volume such as the one Professor Sachs has authored for the benefit of global society., As the concept of sustainable development comes of age, Jeffrey Sachs takes us on a journey from the intellectual and normative origins to the science of complexity which define today's development choices. A compelling and often personal and engaged narrative, The Age of Sustainable Development reads like a "looking glass" through which to glimpse the future--a future still characterised by more questions than answers as to how 9 billion will--together--govern the sustainable development of our planet., It is, in my view, the best, most comprehensive and most articulate exposition of sustainable development ever written.... I would make this book compulsory reading for all politicians and business leaders., Jeff Sachs' admirable book explains what sustainable development means, why it matters, and our history in relation to our environment. It shows how the pattern of growth we have followed has placed intense strains on our planet and generated severe risks to our lives and livelihoods. Above all it explains clearly where we can go and how to get there. It describes a potential future of great attraction in terms of well-being, community and prosperity, properly understood. It should, and I hope it will, strengthen both the understanding of the great choices we face and the resolve to act. It is a splendid achievement., Jeff Sachs' admirable book explains what sustainable development means, why it matters, and our history in relation to our environment. It shows how the pattern of growth we have followed has placed intense strains on our planet and generated severe risks to our lives and livelihoods. Above all it explains clearly where we can go and how to get there. It describes a potential future of great attraction in terms of well-being, community and prosperity, properly understood. It should, and I hope it will, strengthen both understanding of the great choices we face and the resolve to act. It is a splendid achievement., In this era marked by geo-political and ecological crises, unspeakable structural violence and unprecedented inequality on the one hand and breath-taking advances in science and technology and untold opportunities on the other, a new narrative for social, economic and environmental justice is urgently needed. Prof Sachs, distinguished thinker, commentator and activist, charts a clear and compelling path, both moral and scientific, which cuts neatly through the increasing complexity and interdependence to the realization of a holistic vision of sustainable development. A very timely handbook to inform and empower all those who have a stake in the post-2015 debate on the future of our planet., A clear and cogent nontechnical survey of the world's major challenges beyond the preservation of peace and security., There are very few authors that can so effectively rally the masses around an important cause - one that in this case concerns our collective future. There are still too few leaders with knowledge about global sustainable development challenges to affect the scalable changes that are needed. Professor Sachs' book is a comprehensive summary of complex issues, but it breaks them down and makes them digestible and understandable while making the imperative clear. It will clearly contribute significantly in closing the gap between science and policy, and hopefully serve as a catalyst for action., Jeff Sachs's admirable book explains what sustainable development means, why it matters, and our history in relation to our environment. It shows how the pattern of growth we have followed has placed intense strains on our planet and generated severe risks to our lives and livelihoods. Above all, it explains clearly where we can go and how to get there. It describes a potential future of great attraction in terms of wellbeing, community and prosperity, properly understood. It should, and I hope it will, strengthen both the understanding of the great choices we face and the resolve to act. It is a splendid achievement., In a book of incredible breadth, Sachs delivers a sobering account of the impact of human activity upon the balance of life on Earth.... Highly recommended., Sweeping, enlightening, affecting, and invaluable, The Age of Sustainable Development should be available to everyone and consulted repeatedly., In this era marked by geopolitical and ecological crises, unspeakable structural violence and unprecedented inequality, on the one hand, and breathtaking advances in science and technology and untold opportunities, on the other, a new narrative for social, economic and environmental justice is urgently needed. Prof. Sachs, distinguished thinker, commentator and activist, charts a clear and compelling path, both moral and scientific, which cuts neatly through the increasing complexity and interdependence to the realization of a holistic vision of sustainable development. A very timely handbook to inform and empower all those who have a stake in the post-2015 debate on the future of our planet., Sachs's book is written for a popular audience and could be used as a complementary text for courses in environmental or development economics or in public health classes or environmental studies classes. Its breadth of insights and coverage is staggering and students and general readers will find new ideas on every page of the book.
