Renewable: One Woman's Search for Simplicity, Faithfulness, and Hope

At age forty-nine, Eileen Flanagan had an aching feeling that she wasn’t living up to her potential—or her youthful ideals. A former Peace Corps volunteer who’d once loved the simplicity of living in a mud hut in Botswana, she now had too many e-mails in her inbox and a basement full of stuff she didn’t need. Increasingly worried about her children’s future on a warming planet, she felt unable to make a difference—until she joined a band of singing Quaker activists who helped her find her voice and her power. Renewable: One Woman’s Search for Simplicity, Faithfulness, and Hope is the story of a spiritual writer and mother of two who, while trying to change the world, unexpectedly finds the courage to change her life. With wit and wisdom, Eileen Flanagan shares the engaging journey that brings her from midlife spiritual crisis to fulfillment and hope—and, briefly, to jail.

About the Author :
A graduate of both Duke and Yale, Eileen Flanagan writes for a wide range of national publications and speaks at conferences, colleges, and religious gatherings. She is the author of The Wisdom to Know the Difference: When to Make a Change—and When to Let Go, which was endorsed by the Dalai Lama and won the Silver Nautilus Book Award. A leader of Earth Quaker Action Team, she lives in Philadelphia with her husband and two children.

Review :
“If you’ve ever felt despair about the state of the world or wondered, ‘What can I do?’ I recommend reading Renewable. Eileen Flanagan’s insightful memoir shows a deep understanding of complex global problems, while showing us how one person can change their life while working to change the world we all share.”
—Kumi Naidoo, Executive Director Greenpeace International

“Simple, beautiful and nourishing, this book is a necessary reminder that the renewable energy we need most is people power!”
—Bill McKibben, founder 350.org

“In a book laced with humorous anecdotes, Eileen Flanagan writes of her quest for simplicity while beset by the contradictions of modern life. A former Peace Corps volunteer turned soccer mom, her dilemmas are easy to relate to, yet her narrative inspiring. The inner voice of integrity does point out a path all of us can follow.”
—George Lakey, author of Toward a Living Revolution

“A wise and delightful tale, reminding us not only of the need for simplicity, but of the need to follow our heart’s calling. The whole world benefits from those with the courage to do so.”
—Bronnie Ware, author of The Top Five Regrets of the Dying

“Drawing on her Irish family history, Eileen Flanagan shares a poignant human story that illustrates the courage we need to create a more just future for our children and children everywhere.”
—Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and UN Special Envoy on Climate Change

“Everyone who has felt a sense of mismatch between their values and their day-to-day lives should read this book! In an inviting and non-preachy narrative, Flanagan inspires readers to find joy and meaning in community and action, rather than chasing ever more stuff. If she can do it, we all can!”
—Annie Leonard, author of The Story of Stuff and Executive Director of Greenpeace USA