Paul Hanley Book order

The inspiring tale of an Edwardian eccentric and the world's first "tree hugger," Man of the Trees introduces the storied life of Richard St. Barbe Baker to the world.

During the British Invasion in the mid-sixties, the world turned and looked at London. That's how it remained, until four Mancunian musicians opted to plough their hard-earned cash back into the city they loved in the form of proper recording facilities. Eric Stewart of The Mindbenders and songwriter extraordinaire Graham Gouldman created Strawberry Studios; Keith Hopwood and Derek Leckenby of Herman's Hermits crafted Pluto. Between them, they facilitated a musical revolution that would be defined by its rejection of the capital. This book tells the story of Manchester music through the prism of the two studio's key recordings. Of course, that story inevitably takes in The Smiths, Joy Division, The Fall, and The Stone Roses. But it's equally the story of `Bus Stop' and `East West' and `I'm Not in Love'. Above all, it's the story of music that couldn't have been made anywhere else but Manchester.

The book explores the impending challenges of a projected population surge to eleven billion by the century's end and the potential five-fold growth of the global economy. It emphasizes the alarming ecological consequences, predicting that humanity's ecological footprint could surpass the Earth's biocapacity by 400%. The author advocates for innovative strategies and sustainable practices to navigate these critical issues and secure a viable future for the planet.