You are viewing your 1 free article this month. Login to read more articles.
HarperCollins has bought world rights to two books by Prince Charles on how humanity faces a dangerous disconnect from nature.
Harmony has been tentatively scheduled for publication in 2010. The book was bought by Jonathan Burnham, senior vice president and publisher at Harper US and Lisa Sharkey, senior vice president and director of creative development from Robert Barnett of Williams and Connolly. The amount paid was undisclosed.
The book provides an analysis of how the world is viewed today. It argues that that in the pursuit of economic growth and technological progress humanity has become dangerously disconnected from nature.
The Prince of Wales said: “I believe that true ‘sustainability’ depends fundamentally upon us shifting our perception and widening our focus, so that we understand, again, that we have a sacred duty of stewardship of the natural order of things. In some of our actions we now behave as if we were ‘masters of Nature’ and, in others, as mere bystanders. If we could rediscover that sense of harmony; that sense of being a part of, rather than apart from Nature, we would perhaps be less likely to see the world as some sort of gigantic production system, capable of ever-increasing outputs for our benefit – at no cost.”
The book will be edited in the United Kingdom by Myles Archibald, associate publisher at Collins, and published by the Blue Door imprint. Katherine Tegen, at HarperCollins Children’s Books, plans to publish a picture book version of the book in 2011.
Jonathan Burnham said: “Harmony weaves together The Prince of Wales’ own prescient journey, revealing his most recent observations and practices advancing ecological and economic sustainability, with a deeply inspiring vision encompassing the connection and consequences of our actions to the very survival of our planet.”
Sharkey said: “The Prince’s practical, accessible narrative on how each of us can make a difference to ensure our children’s future, and the survival of our planet, is of utmost importance today.”