Timely published, excellent argument, thorough research... Jones lays out, in well organized fashion, how an aggressive commitment to transition into a green economy via green collar work (work that brings dignity to the underserved communities of the United States) can bring back the US economy, fulfill the dream of true equality, and keep Earth alive for the sake of our future generations.

Overall very good, starts out a little repetitive and circular. Starting with the section dealing with the current social situation it becomes very snappy and agil.

The subtitle says it all for this highly-readable book. Van Jones' articulate prose and common-sense approach to turning our ecomonic challenges into an opportunity for a green growth boom is a must-read for anyone who wants to live and thrive prosperously on a clean planet. I hope every decision maker in Washington and our state capitals has a copy of it on their nightstand.

Just started reading this gem on the train ride home yesterday. its fascinating - takes a huge global mess, gives important backstory and puts solutions into simple and concrete terms. i highly recommend this book.

I don't need to go terribly in depth here. Suffice it to say that the book is an inspiring, eye-opening account of why the environmental movement needs to change from a primarily rich and white movement to one that is inclusive and meets the needs of all--particularly the working poor.

Van Jones is a very inspirational figure, and this book will provide you with tremendous insight into how to work towards the creation of a true green economy. It provides both the moral, philosophical and policy framework for engaging that work, as well.

This reader friendly book is alive with fresh new ideas, encouraging solutions and sound organizational recommendations. It should be required reading for all who govern from town halls to Congressional Representatives.
No more excuses, it's time for change. This book provides sound solutions.
The people and the planet have been blessed by the thoughtful attentiveness to detail offered by Van Jones. Highly recommended to anyone who cares about good health, environmental concerns and the economy.

Victoria Harris

This is the absolute best book I've read in a long time. We are guided clearly and pragmatically beyond survival and towards thriving in harmony and balance with our planet and all varieties of her people and life forms. The author details clearly the work and legislation which must begin NOW. A book of Hope and Work and Happy Ending (for which you and I are to accept total responsibility).

The Green Collar Economy is written in a straight forward approach that allows the reader to imagine an economy without a dependency on oil. It was informative, imaginative, and gave a wealth of ideas that the ordinary citizen could grasp.
I highly recommend this book.

Shirley A. Metcalf

Great gift for the holidays for anyone concerned about our global health and possibilities to renew our hopes for a positive sustainable future. Spread this book around!!

As Chair of the National African American Congress, this book is life changing and socio-politically and economically transforming. We have already begun to implement some of the policy and programmatic emphasis' proscribed within these pages, by its visionary writer, Van Jones. Van Jones has done in one writing, what visionary Malcolm X and dreamer, Martin Luther King could not do in their time and space; that is, to provide a practical guide to the building of an economy of scale, throughout black and urban communities in this country. The fact that this book hits the Best Seller List at the same time that Barack Obama is elected president, is what we call a "convergence of history". I and we, applaud Van Jones for this monumental accomplishment.

Van Jones has written a thought-provoking, common-sense book of hope and solutions for America's future.

The tale of society pulling itself out from the grip of fossil and nuclear (bad, bad nuclear!!!) energy all by itself and on the way creating millions of jobs and better weather, too, is fantastic. But just like the tale of Munchhausen who pulls himself out of the swamp, it's a lie.

Energy becomes more expensive as energy sources are depleted, true. But the fact that we haven't gone alternative yet is because alternative energy is even more expensive right now. You can use the author's own argument: expensive alternative energy projects will cause more unemployment now. In other words, the author doesn't take into account the millions of jobs that will be destroyed a) in the current energy industry, b) in the industries that rely on cheap fossil energy and c) all other jobs that are indirectly linked to a and b.

The economics behind the book is flawed, which is also why the only people endorsing this book are politicians and not economists.

This book is very well worth reading and passing along to others. The author presents inspired - yet in many cases common-sense - solutions for the massive environmental and economic malaise that the US is mired in. Very well written and easy to read, yet without being dumbed down and insulting to the reader's intelligence. The book appears to be very thoroughly researched and there are extensive footnotes that provide more detailed background information. Definitely a book for the times that offers hope and a way forward.

I'm sorry to say this book is very racial in nature. Van Jones considers me an enviromental elitist. I'm not a black convict, so I'm not needed to re-invent our economy. I was really hoping to learn something, as I am intensely interested in working in the alternative energy field.

Van Jones and his team are both factual and inspirational. Green Jobs and the focus on training and education, keeping jobs local (not outsourced), and giving individuals dignity while working on the most important concern of the humans -- to stick around! -- brings us to a point of hard work but also a point of hope.

I encourage everyone to read this book and the many others being penned lately that link several of our ailments -- most pointedly demonstrated by the mistakes and errors in the financial sector -- that we are simply not living right. We are living not in our own time. We are not valuing what we should given the times we live in. There are purposes beyond acquiring things -- Jones and his team help us to keep remembering that it could really be fun to be here, after all.

Excellent writing and offer of a logical solution, how come this isn't on Oprah's list?

Great book presenting a number of important ideas on how the private sector, government and the citizens need to work together to create a clean, green economy that is inclusive. Especially like the break down of the Green New Deal to mobilize the nation, get people back to work and address the climate crisis.

The Green collar economy is very well thought out and easy to read. The author lays out a plan to reduce the use of fossil fuels, reduce the amount of Green house gasses, and create new jobs in the United States. The book delves into the use of fossil fuels, what it takes to get it out of the ground and refine it, the cost to the atmosphere due to this process. Eventually the world will dry up of fossil fuels, were dealing with a limited supply at a time when much of the world is learning to drive. The book talks about places like India and China the bicycle is being replaced with the automobile and the economic effect that has on the price of gas world wide. Consumer demand is now out stripping the supply of oil. Oil prices are rising due to world demand. The book does a great job of covering the economic effect of this and what it will lead to if we don't start really developing alternative energy resources and making Green technology available and affordable. There are many untapped resources out there for creating Green jobs and a cleaner environment.

The book also talks about some other types of energy resources and the pros and cons of them like converting corn to fuel. Should we be burning corn as fuel when children are starving? Nuclear power again this is a limited resource since there is a limited supply of uranium. Clean coal, just an oxymoron. The process for clean coal doesn't exist; it's still the dirtiest of all fuels when you take into account the process for mining and burning coal. There is also a limited supply of coal.

We are spiraling downward towards an energy nightmare; the book proposes some interesting and plausible ways to avoid this. The concept is great it the process of helping these ideas come to fruition that will require a lot of work. People will need to change their thought process when it comes to producing energy. Making these ideas happen will require a lot more detail with in the then what this book goes into but it plants the seed to get the process started. The book lays out the mechanics of what it will take to make the Green collar idea turn into a Green collar reality. It's up to us as citizens of the planet to make it happen. The back of the book has a resource list of containing Green energy businesses and coalitions.

There are many types of Green collar jobs that could be created not only in the Green industry but within the normal work place. Jobs will be created in research, development and implementation of these technologies.

A great read for anyone but especially for those Green collar and want to be Green collar workers. Very enlightening.

"The Green-Collar Economy" muddles this important issue with too many irrelevant side discussions of racial, gender, and economic equality, suffers from poor timing (the current economic downturn and steep fall in energy costs), fails to document key assertions (eg. "cutting emissions to California's per capita level would allow the U.S. to surpass Kyoto targets;" lay out the amount of energy savings available through retro-fitting buildings), is biased against the role of coal (no consideration of the impact of clean coal and new experiments on pollution), and fails to address key underlying impacts of population growth, Free Trade (on our ability to fund new energy initiatives), pays little attention to fuel economy, and is oblivious to the sometimes idiotic transportation of urban garbage hundreds of miles in the name of ecology.

Some important points are raised - eg. the need for more electric transmission lines to take advantage of solar and wind sources, but even that discussion lacks depth. ("How much energy would be lost through transmission?" and its cost is simply referenced vs. the Iraq War - something undefined as well.)

Finally, the book lacks delineation of eg. how buildings would be retrofitted, thereby supposedly benefiting our economy. If, for example, the major benefit is obtained through more efficient electric motors, the bulk of the economic benefit of constructing them would probably end up in China - not the U.S.

"The Green-Collar Economy" muddles this important issue with too many irrelevant side discussions of racial, gender, and economic equality, suffers from poor timing (the current economic downturn and steep fall in energy costs), fails to document key assertions (eg. "cutting emissions to California's per capita level would allow the U.S. to surpass Kyoto targets;" lay out the amount of energy savings available through retro-fitting buildings), is biased against the role of coal (no consideration of the impact of clean coal and new experiments on pollution), and fails to address key underlying impacts of population growth, Free Trade (on our ability to fund new energy initiatives), pays little attention to fuel economy, and the sometimes idiotic transportation of urban garbage hundreds of miles in the name of ecology.

Some important points are raised - eg. the need for more electric transmission lines to take advantage of solar and wind sources, but even that discussion lacks depth. ("How much energy would be lost through transmission?" and its cost is simply referenced vs. the Iraq War - something undefined as well.)

Finally, the book lacks delineation of eg. how buildings would be retrofitted, thereby supposedly benefiting our economy. If, for example, the major benefit is obtained through more efficient electric motors, the bulk of the economic benefit of constructing them would probably end up in China - not the U.S.

Great read. Fast.

Opened my eyes to the need to 'broaden the tent'.

Well done Mr. Jones and thanks for doing.

My only reason for 4 over 5 stars was that it could have been a bit deeper about the actual jobs created. e.g. limits on development, industry needs, markets, etc.

Overall very worthwhile and I hope to see it top the best seller lists.

The Green Collar Economy, How One Solution Can Fix Our Two Biggest Problems, by Van Jones, could not be more timely. As our economy (and perhaps the world economy) enters a period called stagflation--meaning, a stagnant economy coupled with inflation--Jones offers a sound solution.

Van Jones gets right to the point in the first sentence of the introduction: "The pain at the gas pump is just the beginning...This weakness can and will send the entire country into a particular kind of a tailspin." Jones writes that oil can't keep up with the demand and that it is running out. This is a fact--we cannot keep on living as we have, sucking up finite resources as if there is no end.

"Clean coal", (an oxymoron, he explains, and part of a clever marketing campaign,) nuclear power plants, and off shore drilling are not the answer to our problems. We need to invest in sustainable resources--like the sun and moon--for the future of the planet and people.

Using corn for fuel was also a huge mistake. I love what he wrote: "Government-mandated and subsidized ethenal from corn will go down in history as the 'Iraq war' of environmental solution."

The solution to the problem lies within our people. Jones believes we need workers--and lots of them--trained to green our economy. Most of the jobs would be considered blue-collar, and little more than a high school education and some training would be necessary. The new green collar workers have jobs "preserving and enhancing environmental quality." Jobs run the gamut of installing solar panels to energy auditors.

Yesterday on the radio, I heard a plumber complain that he hasn't had so little work in over 20 years. That he considered a good day when he could work until 1pm. These people are who Jones writes about and are the workers who would most benefit from the new green economy.

Let us hope that The Green Collar Economy becomes the reality.

Highly recommended.

By the author of the award winning book, HARMONIOUS ENVIRONMENT: BEAUTIFY, DETOXIFY & ENERGIZE YOUR LIFE, YOUR HOME & YOUR PLANET.

Finally! Van is the most engaging speaker I know of, so it's about time he had a book out! And what great timing. As our economy unravels and we face the most important, scary election EVER, someone needed to stand up and give a bold, innovative new plan to bring our country forward and to bring people together to work on something powerful and positive. Go Van! We love you, man!

One of the challenges in selling the US people on the Green movement has been the disconnect between cleaning up the environment and the cost. We all know that green is good and we also know that green usually has a higher price tag.

The author has brilliantly connected the dots between greening our country, creating jobs, freeing us from dependence on foreign oil, and frankly, just doing the right thing.

This is a great book with a premise that makes sense. A big financial expenditure that could reap huge rewards for our country in so many ways. Kudos !

Van Jones represents what we would want our vision to be. We want to save our earth, we want real jobs that real people can do with dignity. We want our young people to be able to work, we don't want to ship all the jobs to other countries.

This book covers people like People's Grocery in Oakland and Solar Richmond who are leading the way in creating a new green economy. Includes a list of what should be done in the first 100 days of office.

Best quote in the book:

"If the crusade to racially integrate the dirty, gray economy represented the height of nobility in the last century, then how morally compelling is the calling to build an inclusive green economy in this one? If Dr. King and other activists were willing to face attack and dogs and fire hoses and murderous mobs to get everyone included in the pollution-based economy, then what should you and I be willing to do today to ensure that the new, clean , and green economy has a place in it for everyone?"

just got my copy this morning, and i can't put it down. this book provides one of the most important blueprints for creating economic development opportunities in urban centers and saving our dear planet.

I just ordered this book and if it is even 1/10th as fantastic as Mr. Jones' speaking, I expect it to be one of the most inspiring and visionary books I've read in a long time. As someone who gets very disheartened by the state of our world, and frustrated by the ill-conceived policies and plans of our US government, it is refreshing to read a perspective that advocates a win-win-win for people, corporations, and the planet.

I just ordered this, and haven't gotten my copy yet, but Van is amazing leader and speaker and I know this will be an amazing book. We have to create a green collar economy to bring people out of poverty, reduce our emissions and create a more stable economy. Van spoke at our Southeast regional conference in 2007 to a standing ovation and he was so good that students hung around him asking questions and listening for hours after he spoke.

it helps to learn so much about the new idea which basically combine what seemed to be so contardictive: environmental awareness and disadvantaged people..awesome

just got my copy this morning, and i can't put it down. this book provides one of the most important blueprints for economic development opportunities in urban centers.