What People Are Saying About
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"This message of unity certainly reflects both the science around climate change and the movement we must build to challenge it!"
Bill McKibben, founder 350.org
"A thoughtful commentary on the biggest issue of our day - the survival of humankind."
Thom Hartmann, author and host
Thom Hartmann Program |
"This poet rightly yells Fire in our crowded house—the hour is late and the world needs rousing. Kudos for caring, daring, and acting on it. Firefighters needed!"
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"The One Idea is practical, applicable, and brimming with the concept that each person makes a difference. Laurence Overmire has written a book focused on unifying principles and universal truths. He bravely calls out those things that divide us, and challenges readers to act conscientiously. In the tradition of Aldo Leopold, he argues for an ethic of com-passion that encompasses all life and the Earth. This book is a beacon of hope and will remain near at hand on my desk to be re-read whenever I am disheart-ened or feeling small and futile."
Carol Lee-Roark, Ph.D.,
Hyalite Environmental, LLP |
"The One Idea That Saves The World is, not surprisingly, both incredibly simple and incredibly profound. And it takes a poet to present profound simplicity in language that touches the rhythms of the heart. That poet is Laurence Overmire, and his poetic message is to us a Call to Conscience and a Call to Action, one that will resonate with all the peoples and the rhythms of the planet."
John Lundin, author of The New Mandala: Eastern Wisdom for Western Living, written with the Dalai Lama, and Journey To The Heart Of The World, written with the indigenous peoples of Colombia
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"At a time when so many have surrendered to cynicism or despair, Overmire throws us a life ring. Drawing upon the wisdom of all ages, his One Idea challenges us to find our collective strength to save life as we know it. This book is fun and easy to read for a wide array of ages, making it a great
conversation-starter. I can't wait to buy copies for my two sons!" Rev. Kate Lore, Minister of Social Justice, First Unitarian Church of Portland, Oregon
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"The future of a habitable planet requires a significant shift from the status quo. Inertia and time are unified against us. Laurence Overmire has written a direct, simple, and compelling call to conscience. I hope people hear it."
Aaron Viles, Deputy Director,
Gulf Restoration Network |
"Laurence Overmire’s poignant and passionate book, The One Idea That Saves the World, and his urgent call to live that one idea, presents a powerful truth and a heartfelt vision of hope that just may galvanize the world to do what needs to be done to save itself."
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"Overmire had me on page 12 when he wrote that this book was about wisdom... which translates into 'immediate personal action'... he has really created a teaching vehicle... a very worthy work."
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"Laurence Overmire is speaking directly to me and explaining very kindly how I am directly responsible for the very things I complain about. My house in Miami Beach is not on fire, but it is surrounded by water, an overflow of Indian Creek onto Collins Avenue, a result of the full moon, high tide and the ever growing menace of global warming. Sure, I've been complaining how it never used to be this way, but then who asked me to move to a coastal area and to contribute to beach erosion, polluted oceans and strain on a small island that cannot bear all the weight of this growing population? I can change this, Overmire says, and he tugs at my consciousness to do just that. The One Idea That Saves The World is a conversation that Overmire is having with me, not just a book that I am reading. It is a passionate conversation, coming from the soul of a brilliant writer who speaks from the heart and then couples it with emotional poetry and sayings from great thinkers past and present. A very persuasive book that has convinced me that I am a part of something much greater, that I can do better, that I can make a difference in the world. A must read."
Bette Rush, photojournalist, environmental writer, author of Beauty Way, A Novel
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"All I can say is WOW! It was like reading what's inside my head but he put the words to it and I'm sure that I'm not the only one that upon reading his book had the same overall feelings. Larry has been able to define humanity, its weaknesses and its strengths eloquently, but more than that he teaches, he opens our eyes to ponder and question and evaluate our own positions as spectators or participants.”
Dr. Veronica Esagui, Chiropractic Physician, Author, Television
Talk Show Host, Past President of NWPA and Public Speaker |
"I love our brothers' new book and suggest that many who read it will awaken to know that there is a power there that gives you the feeling of common sense and now that there is hope for humanity if they would try the ways peaceful hearts. When humanity can learn to walk in peace and re-discipline themselves to be loving caring people as the truth of all things set them free to the wisdom written. Thank you, Oohweehoo Laurence Overmire for you most sacred writing, again thank you for being here helping humanity awaken to much wisdom and knowledge... Aho great work brother like no other...My blessings to you and yours..."
BlueThunder, Eastern Shoshone, Wind River Indian
Reservation, Fort Washakie, Wyoming www.tetonrainbows.com & www.earthwisdomfoundation.net |
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"The One Idea is a return to common sense and an appeal to the internal goodness we try so hard to ignore in ourselves. In simple language, Overmire reminds us of what we already know: the hour is late, our world is dying, and we are the only ones who can save it. The question is, what will you do with this knowledge?"
Beth Buczynski, writer, Care2
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"A clear and concise guide to navigating out of our current societal ills, The One Idea proves that a better and saner world is within our grasp if only we so choose. There are no promises that it will be easy, but if we all were to simply acknowledge and act upon the self-evident truths espoused in Overmire's book, change would not only be possible, it would be inevitable."
TK Conrad, Information Technology Consultant
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"A resounding call to conscious-ness, a revolution in words – Laurence Overmire boldly rattles the modern penitentiaries of hypocrisy and apathy with this manifesto for global human perseverance by way of love and understanding."
Chad Coenson, author,
Me and Bobby McGee |
"A poet has many jobs. Sometimes it's to paint an image using brushes of words. Other times, it's to put words to feelings and emotions we all share but can't express. Still other times the poet is compelled to take on the role of prophet. "The house is on fire," poet Laurence Overmire writes in The One Idea that Saves the World: A Call to Conscience and a Call to Action, and there is little doubt of the urgency of his message. In The One Idea, Overmire takes a stark, uncompromising look at the fractured state of our world today. He pins the cause of our collective predicament on greed, hatred, and delusion and illustrates how our many institutions have succumbed to what the Buddha called the three fires. But the book is more than another dystopian screed. Rather, as the title suggests, The One Idea offers a bright ray of hope that we—as inhabitants of this burning house—will realize that indeed we are on this Earth together as one. And it is in our best interest to tend with an open heart to the wellbeing of each other as though we are tending to ourselves. This is The One Idea that will extinguish the fire, and Overmire offers an array of examples of how to go about the task."
Paul Gerhards, author, Mapping the Dharma: A Concise Guide to the Middle Way of the Buddha
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"This is without a doubt the most important, honest, humble piece of prose and poetry you could read this year. Reading it isn't enough, however. You must be it, live it, do it!"
Donna Marie Miller Ellington,
Americans for Healthcare, Too |
"Is it not always the most basic, fundamental and 'in plain sight' kind of things we encounter that have the lasting qualities in this life? The mission of becoming healthy, as a world, is not as daunting a task when looked at from this most profoundly focused point of view. Especially when one is given the inspiration to make the change happen! I think that when one embraces the purity of The One Idea that a sort of epiphany will happen, as it sends a signal to the soul to open up and let the light out."
Marc J. Rose, Owner and Sound Designer, Fuse Audio Design
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"The One Idea That Saves The World is an excellent delivery of a spirited message of how we as human beings can become conscious of living in balance and harmony - the TIME IS NOW."
Mona Polacca, member of the
International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers |
"Many people are aware of the shift happening around us. Something is different. The hate, anger, greed, and narcissism we have wallowed in for decades can no longer be ignored. It is time for change. In The One Idea That Saves the World, Laurence Overmire offers not only the bleak truth that the fire in our house is out of control, but also the role we can and do play in either fanning the flames or grabbing a bucket to douse them. And yes, he offers a number of buckets. The book is packed with truth, wisdom, and ideas on how to become involved, along with Overmire's inspiring poetry. It challenges us to be our very best selves and be a part of the change. To help you in that goal, I suggest you take along a copy of The One Idea that Saves the World."
Jean Sheldon, author, An Uncluttered Palette
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"In a divided world, The One Idea is the common ground that allows us to come together to heal and to build a better world despite our differences."
Israa Hasani, counselor in the
Intercultural Psychiatric Program, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) |
"The writing is excellent and the quotes woven through the book strongly reinforce the main points. The book has made me think and reevaluate decisions I have made; the message is getting inside my head and soul. I am accepting that I need to stay involved and take responsibility to keep changes happening."
Paul J. Lyons, Strategic Consultant at Lyons Consulting, LLC
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"The One Idea That Saves The World is a call for action and a call for unity at a time when our political reality needs it most. Overmire is frank and unflinching in his assessment of the source of our cultural and political division and the ramifications if such division persists. He delivers a sober message on the collective state of human governance in prose, poetry and narrative familiar to us all. But despite all this, Overmire succeeds in ultimately providing a vision of hope and a promise that our efforts in coming together for the benefit of all humankind will be rewarded."
Jessica Pieklo, attorney & writer covering constitutional law and
women's rights at Care2.com |
"The One Idea was quite a ride, from the thoroughly disheartening (but necessary) delineation of the problems we face to proposed solutions that seem so near, so reachable that it gives a cynic hope for humanity's future. After reading The One Idea, I'm absolutely certain that the world would be much better off if we had fewer lawyers and more poets running things."
Vincent Reynolds, musician, Shaken Awake
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"The One Idea That Saves the World is one man’s deeply personal examination of the ills of our world and some practical ways each of us can correct them. A cri de Coeur that is both intimate and profound, The One Idea challenges us all to examine our own attitude about our responsibility as World Citizens and to take that responsibility to heart at this critical juncture. The One Idea is filled with stirring quotes of great thinkers from all disciplines, demonstrating again that the One Idea is a universal idea that is present in all societies, all disciplines, all walks of life. The One Idea wakes us up to our responsibility, and to the actions we can choose each day, to save our world. While the One Idea is profoundly simple, it is complex in its reach through all aspects of our public and private lives. This Idea unites us through our head, our heart and our spirit."
Marsha Warner, Director of Recruiting,
Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) |
"In The One Idea That Saves the World, poet and social commentator Laurence Overmire heralds the call for a shift in consciousness—if we are to success-fully save the planet. Through his own insights and quotes from sources encompassing Kierkegaard to the Dalai Lama, Overmire points to the need for 'immedi-ate personal action' by each and every individual. Emphasizing the critical importance of 'interconnected-ness' within the human community, Overmire calls for empathy and compassion—along with a pushback against monolithic entities that have been concerned only with their self-interest. The book will energize those who comprehend the challenges we are facing, and hopefully awaken others who are not yet aware, are afraid to take action, or think it is someone else’s problem."
Marcia G. Yerman, writer, artist, activist,
co-founder of cultureID |
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"One idea is a wise concept of how we, as individuals can rise to the enormous challenges we face. It is a roadmap of what we need to do to educate ourselves about these issues and how to take action to fix them. This is a must read for everyone."
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"Mark Twain famously said 'Everyone complains about the weather, but no one does anything about it.' Most of us here in America today are somewhat adept at complaining about the disease of the body politic, but very few of us endeavor to do anything about it. Laurence Overmire is doing something about it. The One Idea is a simple, elegant and universally familiar concept that may well be the most potent prescription for what ails our society."
Jeff Farias, musician and radio host
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"The One Idea That Saves the World woke me up like an alarm clock with no snooze button. Once awakened I found a guide and a friend in Laurence Overmire who invited me to consider what’s going on in our world and then strengthened me to stay or to become more engaged in taking concrete steps to help make our life together as human beings and our planet better than when I found it. I’m on board and I invite you to join me."
Rev. Jim Smucker, retired, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Lorain, Ohio
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"The One Idea cuts across all the usual divides of politics, religion, nationality, etc. and clearly outlines the challenges to our world that we can all agree on, because they challenge us each on the same level, as a human being. Leaving behind finger-pointing and criticism, The One Idea focus on the systems that aren't working and what we can each do, individually and together, to change our world for the better. Laurence Overmire reaches the reader through both their heart and their common sense and inspires them to embrace their unique ability to engage in the solution of the challenges we all face, together."
Julia Guthrie, TheUnpluggedLife.com
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"The One Idea That Saves The World is about power and powerlessness. It is about human creation driven astray and the possibilities of re-creating ourselves and our planet. We have so much potential and so much responsibility. In the face of powers that are destroying our common humanity and our world, the power of we is a lifesaving force for the greater good. This is an urgent message for today, a dream and vision grounded in pressing realities. These realities demand that individuals reconsider who we are and choose to become part of our greater oneness, a new power that will take on the urgent task of saving ourselves and our planet for the future.”
Timothy Collins, Assistant Director, Illinois Institute for
Rural Affairs and Correspondent, Daily Yonder |
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"Once in a great while a book comes along that contains all the ingredients needed to explain everything important in your life you know to be true but simply never came to you as a single idea that expressed the desires you always had to understand the meaning of life. The One Idea That Saves The World is such a book! It is simple, it is positive, it is inspirational, it is concise, it is powerful. But most of all, it is an outline of what Hope looks like... a pathway towards making a difference for ourselves and our planet. Laurence Overmire has captured the essence of what it is to be a part of something… a part of everything… a unifying force that connects us to everything in the Universe. A jewel of a little book to treasure and read over and over again until you cannot help but share its message. An absolute must read! A book that contains the one idea that could save the world!"
Vance Carruth, author, photographer, educator, environmentalist
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"The world has been waiting far too long for this incredible book. At last, Laurence Overmire delivers the answer to the problems that have plagued and discouraged those of us who care about the world and the creatures who live in it. There is hope here. There is rational thought. Overmire's intelligent perspective cannot be ignored. Read The One Idea That Saves The World and free yourself from the chains of despair."
Carol Grier, author, Choices: a Memoir
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"It is an uplifting and moving piece… The whole book was very thoughtful and inspiring to me."
Marti Carver, animal rights advocate
and caregiver, Dahlonega, Georgia |
"The One Idea is a strong reminder of what is needed right now to allow human consciousness to emerge and evolve to support life for all... a call to action before it is too late!"
Scott Campbell, Yoga Teacher,
Carrboro, NC |
"Laurence isn't just crying 'fire!' He's providing hope—and practical solutions—for our very survival. A compelling book that I urge everyone on the planet to read. We're all in this together."
Lynn Hasselberger, Founder of myEARTH360.com, Social Media/Marketing Consultant and Editor of elephantjournal.com
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