I feel a bit mean giving this book 4 stars probably 4 3/4 would be more accurate. Derrick Jensen is an excellent writer and story teller. The book does what it says on the cover it is both deeply distressing and inspiring at the same time, remarkable. I guess he manages to do both by looking at the truth and writing about it with honesty and openness. I finished it inspired, humbled and longing to be more aware, sensitive and alive to myself and life, the moon and stars, the cat greeting me in the street, the sadly neglected plant in the bathroom. Definitely worth reading.