Bob Thomson, retired founder of Fair Trade Canada
Excerpt of the full review: “Murray introduces these stories personal histories as examples of his own and other individual actions, evolving and shaping their lives, awakening and then acting through efforts to escape the classical ‘all American’ narrative of religion, politics, race, gender, military service and the draft, the corporate industrial complex, etc., etc. Having left this ‘bubble’ and worked in Nicaragua for five years and then ‘evolving’ as a progressive university professor and fair trade activist, Murray links these individual stories to not only show that a better world is possible, but in the hope that a new generation of activists will take heart from these examples to tackle the new threats of wars in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan, and the heat waves from global warming from fossil fuels. We need to recognize that, despite recent election setbacks and overwhelming neglect of these crises in the mainstream press, the pursuit of a better world is indeed possible, as shown by these examples of his (and my) generation.”
Life and Life Only, A Review, by Ron Jocobs, Counterpunch
Dr. Murray’s book is the second reviewed in the essay.
Pamela Kay Anderson (former Director, CGIAR Center, Peru)
“Douglas Murray is a beautiful writer. His storytelling is powerful, and his ability to describe – people, places, events – is so vibrant. He writes in Technicolor. The stories and journeys that Murray shares with us brought waves of nostalgia for a time and a generation brimming with optimism and activism, as well as an honesty about those times that is refreshing. In our current, troubled times, We Can Change the World feels like a gentle call to the continued optimism and activism that is still so desperately needed. This read was like a massage for my soul.”
Katherine Yih (retired research scientist, School of Public Health, Harvard University)
“I was blown away by the moral and almost spiritual significance and beauty of We Can Change the World. Dr. Murray has recorded deeply affecting stories from the remarkable period of history our generation lived through and influenced. In some, he brings to light the courage of modest, largely unknown people who’ve made major sacrifices for their principles and for humanity. Some are so full of sensory detail that you almost feel you were there. The description of his quest for the paper nautilus at the end is just lovely, rising to the level of a parable. I am ordering more copies of the book to give away to friends.”