This is the kind of book that makes you sit up straight and listen. It’s well-written, well-researched and tells it like it is, in no uncertain terms. James Bruges, a former architect who grew up in India, takes some of his inspiration from Gandhi and his successors and the ambitious book manages to cover a lot of ground in its 267 pages.

It wouldn’t be unfair to say that this is an essential read for anyone interested in the future of the planet, since according to Bruges’s research we don’t have a great deal of time left to save it. Divided into four parts – the elements, money, power and life – the book tackles everything from environmental issues, financial institutions, multi-national corporations, food supply, war and terrorism. Backed up by excellent statistics and facts the author manages to squeeze in all the major problems facing the planet, while looking at viable solutions to some of humanity’s greatest challenges to date.

The book poses interesting questions and seeks to supply some practical answers, its main premise being that humankind needs a tremendous shift in mindset to succeed. My only slight issue is the failure to tackle how this shift is to come about. There is no mention of how to make people care, how to affect a change from our current lifestyle of consumerism, back to more simple living that can save the planet. Despite good examples of successful grassroots communities, most of the emphasis is on government action, leaving the reader wanting more. Still, with the current financial crisis looming, this is an extremely timely read.