I used Louv's book in my thesis on Amish culture, as I immediately found threads of commonality between Louv's observations and my personal experiences among the Old Order Amish. In this work, Louv unknowingly, perhaps, touched upon sustaining human values that transcend culture and generational boundaries. In the Web of Life, Louv emphasizes what we can do individually and collectively to begin creating a world of compassion, sensitivity, fulfillment, and joy.

This is a must read for anyone wishing to set aside the temporary lures of self-gratification and integrate more practical and sustainable values into their lives.


SHOULD BE ISSUED AS A HANDBOOK FOR THOSE STARTING A FAMILY   November 24, 2004
 9 out of 11 found this review helpful

This is a wonderful collection of essays/short stories which drive home the importance of family, family connections and the importance of our past. Each essay is worth mulling over thoughtfully. You will find youself being able to relate to most of the author's words. We need works such as this at a time when so many of our families and communities seem to be bent on distruction, and more importantly, we need to read these works and ponder them. All in all quite thought provoking and quite inspirational. Would recommend this to anyone. Would recommend you purchase it and give it a reread now and then.


Poetical and Thoughtful   September 11, 2007
 8 out of 9 found this review helpful

I picked up this copy the same time as I picked up his "Last Child in the Woods" ~~ and I took it along on a camping trip recently. It is a neat little compilation of essays regarding making time for family, having meaningful conversations and keeping friends, keeping the communication channels open with your kids and spouses, brothers/sisters/parents, and other topics.

It is definitely a keeper in any family's library ~~ but if you have read the book, "Last Child in the Woods" ~~ you will find the same themes and same stories touched upon in this book as well. That is why I gave it a four stars because it is tedious reading to read the same thing over and over again. Yes, this book is the original since it was published in 1996 but when you have two books by the same author telling you pretty much the same thing, it makes you wonder if he needs more fresh stories to share or if he is running out of ideas. It'll be interesting to see what his next book will touch upon.

Just because re-reading the same thing is tedious for me, it doesn't have to be for other readers. If you like essays and essays about family, nature, communication and so forth, you will like this little book. It is lyrical and thoughtful. It is inspiring. It will make you look at life a little bit differently and perhaps, instead of having imaginary conversations with your spouse in your head, you will talk to him/her and rediscover the reasons why you fell in love with him/her in the first place. This book is just not about stories, it is about people reconnecting to humanity again in spite of the highly technogical age we live in today. It is about people reconnecting to nature and family and friends ~~ the little things that make our lives go round.

It is definitely a gem of a book.

9-11-07


Spiritually enlightening! A MUST read for all.   February 23, 1999
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

As a parent I am always looking for words of wisdom on developing a sound value system through every day living for my children. Louv's book did that and more. He brought back my childhood memories of living in a small community and how important it is to create that for our children today. People have the power to change things and Louv has put that power into action by writing this book for us.


Powerfully touching, thought provoking   March 7, 1999
 5 out of 6 found this review helpful

This was my first Louv book. As a single dad of a 6 year old boy, I found his stories a wonderful "web". Passing on the values that sustain us and our families is one of the responsibilities of parenthood. I found his blend of short stories and testimonies compelling and thought provoking. His integration of stories about family, community and nature have inspired me to take a second look at how I am raising my own child, and what I am passing along to him as far as what is really important in life. I would recommend this book or tape highly to anyone concerned about family values, raising kids, interrlating with parents, or communicating with siblings. I enjoyed it so much I limited myself to one story per day. I never wanted the book to end!