REVIEWS
A Compassionate Civilization: The Urgency of Sustainable Development and Mindful Activism
“I strongly recommend this book for students, activists, scholars, political leaders and citizens of the world.”
- G. Shabbir Cheema, PhD, Senior Governance Fellow, Harvard University, former UNDP director, Management Development and Governance Division
“This book is a superb work of courage and skill, practical knowhow, and the ingenious gifts of one who is sourced in spirit.”
- Jean Houston, PhD, author, A Passion for the Possible
“This book deserves to be hugely influential and read by all who care for the future of Mother Earth.”
- Tatwa P. Timsina, PhD, founder of the Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA) Nepal; former president, ICA International
“Robertson issues a hope-filled call-to-action and a roadmap for creating the compassionate civilization.”
- Joy Sloan Jinks, MSW, Community Organizer, Founder of Swamp Gravy; author of Dynamic Aging
“Rob offers us a new social philosophy which is both visionary and pragmatic, both individual and collective.”
- Larry Ward, PhD, Dharma teacher in the Thich Nhat Hanh tradition of practice
“Work offers a compelling integral vision of compassionate civilizational transformation, while encouraging the reader to participate in co-creation.”
– Nancy Roof, founder, Kosmos Journal, www.kosmosjournal.org
“A focus on six arenas of transformation illuminates possibility in the midst of our current experience of institutional challenge and collapse.”
- R. Bruce Williams, international facilitator and author of More Than 50 Ways to Build Team Consensus and 12 Roles of Facilitators for School Change.
“The book is an invitation to us, the readers, to enter into a "multilogue" with him and everyone else as we give shape to our own declarations, strategies, and action.”
- Terry D. Bergdall, PhD, Former President and CEO, Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA), USA; author and professor
REVIEWS
Serving People & Planet: In Mystery, Love, and Gratitude
“In this book, Rob Work has narrated a fascinating story of his life, demonstrating his passion for humanity and the planet, and contribution to community and leadership development through the nonprofit Institute of Cultural Affairs, United Nations Development Program and the NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.”
- G. Shabbir Cheema, PhD, senior fellow, Harvard Kennedy School; former director of UNDP Management Development and Governance Division
“What a remarkable life! You show readers who might feel despair that it is possible to change the world.”
- Catherine Whitney, nonfiction author of 50-plus books, including several best sellers
“Robertson Work’s autobiography is an example of what it means to be a global citizen with heart—heart for his family and heart for all humanity.”
- Nancy Roof, PhD, founder of Kosmos Journal
“Rob’s autobiography is largely a love story—of Rob's love of the earth, his fellow earthlings and of life itself—but not without drama, tragedy and comedy as well.”
- Martin Gilbraith, London UK, certified professional facilitator, trainer & consultant; International Association of Facilitators (IAF), chair 2011-12; and ICA International, president 2013-16
“Reading this book is like being held in a warm embrace, as we journey with this man in every turn of page, experiencing all his adventures around the world and diving deep into his reflections on identity, family, love, life, loss and purpose.”
- Lowie Rosales Kawasaki, former United Nations Habitat program officer, Nairobi
“At the heart of Rob’s life has been a ‘blessed unrest’ that for 75 years he has kept reflecting and acting upon two key questions: ‘What is humanness?’ and ‘How do I be of service?’”
- Jan Sanders, founder/director, PeoplEnergy, Canada
“This is a must-read autobiography for all of us to realize the compassionate life and virtues of noble humanity.”
- Tatwa P. Timsina, PhD, professor, Tribhuvan University; author; founding chair, ICA Nepal; and former president of ICA International
“Robertson writes of his mythic journey from growing up, a small-town boy, in Oklahoma, then as an adult working in rural villages in forsaken areas of the world and finally to the United Nations, where he was able to influence the governance of thousands of communities in the world.”
- Joy Jinks, MSW, author of Dynamic Aging; community organizer
“Grateful to read this wonderful book, which documents 75 years of living with poor people and serving many countries.”
- Rev. Dr. Park Si Won, former pastor of Bo Moon Methodist Church and director of ICA Korea
REVIEWS
Earthling Love: Living Poems
“Robertson’s heartsong is his innate ability to take us along on an intimate journey . . . to love and cherish all that is good within ourselves and the mosaic of humanity.”
- Laura J. Bauer, MPA, executive director of the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Foundation; teacher, peacemaker, lover of all life
“I have only beautiful things to say about this book because it evokes beauty, depth, soulfulness, faith, fidelity, and above all, love.”
- Nikhil Chandavarkar, PhD, author of historical fiction, and CEO of Thersus Sustainability; former UN senior official
“It is such a pleasure and an honor to dip into, and linger a while, savoring Rob’s life poetry of joy and elegance, sorrow and commitment.”
- Peggy Rubin, founding director of the Center for Sacred Theatre; and principal teaching associate of Jean Houston, PhD
“Rob’s warm affection for life flows through the song of his verse.”
- Larry Ward, PhD, co-founder of The Lotus Institute, and Zen teacher in Thich Nhat Hanh’s Order of Interbeing
“Whether it is sorrow, anger, or joy, what is in Robertson’s heart as expressed in his poems, is universal truth.”
- Qinghong Wei, PhD, artist, educator, and student of life