By Anil Padmanabhan

What an inspiring story of the human spirit overcoming all seemingly impassable obstructions to reach their goal! And what a tragic, heartbreaking ending to such a remarkable life!

I was in India for four years, during the war, and was “adopted” by a wonderful Bengali family. In this position I was able to observe the Indian way of life, their culture, habits and behaviour. Even then, the young women I got to know had already emerged from the days of meek subservience to their menfolk, although there were plenty, outside their family circle, who hadn’t.

By Jonah Winter

The cruelty of those who oppress the poor and ethnic minorities is only matched by their cowardice. Of these heroes of peace, especially the well known ones, many were murdered by the powers that be for daring to preach and act upon belief in humanity. The outstanding example, Jesus of Nazareth, dared to assert that all humans are of equal worth. That he added “in the sight of God” did not spare him the Roman version of the hangman’s rope. How could a slave be of equal worth to Caesar and even claim the same human rights? It was rank sedition. Gandhi – murdered; Martin Luther King – murdered. Archbishop Romero – murdered; Aung San incarcerated.

All these remarkable and courageous – some might say foolhardy, in view of the risks they were taking – heroes are noted for their overriding love of their fellows. Their stories are so moving that I defy any sensistive person to read these stories and not get a lump in the throat if not to weep.

Nelson Mandela called her "a vision of hope" and described the movement she founded in Kenya as "[democratising] the connection between sustainable development of resources, democracy and peace." ‘The Green Belt Movement’ is written by the remarkable innovator herself.  Maathai goes into detail as to how she went about starting the movement and lists the aims; to raise consciousness of the need for protection of the environment, fostering a community spirit and enthusiasm amongst others.

Maathai lays out the structure of the movement, how it is organised and financed, what it has achieved despite the obstacles (mainly from the authorities) and the learning outcomes. She also gives advice to those wishing to follow in her footsteps and details the vision for the future of her movement. Maathai’s heroic efforts to fight her corner and lead the movement are what led to her becoming the first female in Africa to receiving the Nobel Prize for Peace. Read also Mama Miti (The Mother of Trees) a superbly illustrated book by Donna Jo Napoli which sheds further light on this wonderful woman.

Wangari Maathai has been referred to in a previous BPEC book review - Planting of Trees in Kenya by Claire A. Nivola.

How Bad are Bananas? (The Carbon Footprint of Everything) - by Mike Berners-Lee

Bananas may be fresh and tasty but getting them to market has a negative impact on the environment. ‘How so’ you may ask? The answer is their carbon footprint.

In this book Berners-Lee explains in detail the concept behind carbon footprints and how, having carried out complex research over a long period, it has been possible to calculate the footprint for a staggering list of items. These include foodstuffs, goods, materials, actions, activities, establishments (a house, for example) and almost everything in between.

The author explains how carbon footprints are measured by weight and has organised the book’s chapters for ease of reference from 1g right up to 1 million tonnes. Some interesting and valuable advice about how to choose, prepare and cook food with the least impact on the environment is provided, as well as calculations of the cost-efficiency of carbon-saving options. An explanation of how the research underpinning this book was conducted is also explained.

An entertaining read, informative, and well worth studying.

The Release of Nelson Mandela (Dates with History) 11 February 1990 - John Malam

Imperialism: “Extending a State’s rule over other territories”, according to the dictionary. Perhaps one should add, “and its exploitation by the latter for their own interests.” It is usually accomplished by superior force, of ten allied to trade (as in India) or connected with missionary religion.

South Africa was first colonised by the Boers (Dutch) who were ousted by the British in the second Boer War (1899-1902). And the native Africans? Their fate was similar to that of other Asian and African victims of imperialist aggression: treated as inferior, employed as cheap labour and, in the main, led a life of poverty and exploitation. Some luckier ones, however, prospered and even managed to get an education which was denied to the rest. There was organised resistance leading to uprisings which were brutally suppressed.

TRANSATLANTIC SLAVERY  (Against Human Dignity.)
Ed. Anthony Tibbles

Slavery! What pictures does it conjure up? Hard work, with little or no pay? The reality was much worse than that.

First, the raiders (Spanish, Portuguese, English) landing in Africa. Then the trading with the local dealers and, where that was insufficient, the brutal capture of men, women and children; the journey, heavily chained and cruelly restricted, to the ships. On board they were herded like cattle (but treated worse) some half dead with hunger, fear and the torture of their position, the lucky ones jumping overboard to drown.

At their destination they were offloaded and sold at auction to the highest bidder. Their new owners worked them in the fields for long hours under terrible conditions and disciplined by the whip. Perhaps a small minority had more humane owners who, nonetheless, saw them as property, goods to be bought and sold.