The Conrad Press, 2025
ISBN: 978-1917673327
Reviewed by Piers Warren
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The subtitle of this book is Changing the story of the world by reclaiming our true selves. The author, who is a holistic therapist, trainer and yoga teacher based in the UK, challenges us to explore our own deep truths and to follow a path that will make the world a better place. Throughout, she pulls no punches in describing all the various difficulties the world and its inhabitants are facing with a particular emphasis on climate change and environmental factors.
Part One covers the call to action; why we need to be heroes to create a more beautiful world, the power of myth, the stages of the hero’s path and the possible pitfalls along the way. In Part Two she focuses on four different heroes as examples of what can be achieved when people act on their inner truths and follow a unique path for good. The first is peace-pilgrim and life-long activist Satish Kumar who has been inspiring global change for over 50 years and was the founder of The Resurgence Trust. The second hero is the American author John Perkins who has written about economics, shamanism and transformation and has sold millions of books worldwide.
Next we have the Pakistani female activist and film producer Malala Yousafzai who at age 15 was shot by the Taliban for standing up for girls’ right for education. Finally Ellen MacArthur, the solo, long-distance yachtswoman who has since established charities such as the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust which uses sailing to help young people recover from cancer, and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation which promotes the idea of a circular economy and tackles subjects such as the management of waste plastics.
These four examples are all famous people who have achieved amazing things through following their convictions and turning their truths into a hero’s path. However, Sue Bayliss is not calling on us all to achieve such mighty goals but invites us to find our own paths for change however small or insignificant they may seem. In the third and final part of the book she covers the healing journey – how these ideas can relate to recovering from ill health – the heroine’s journey and journeying together.
I particularly liked the epilogue which is set in the year 2060 and describes what life may be like then if we do make the major changes needed and everything turns out well. It centres on her two real grandchildren (now grown up in 2060) who she has mentioned throughout the book. The world she describes sounds wonderful and it’s hard to imagine anyone not thinking this all sounds for the better which highlights how most of the world’s problems are simply brought about by individual greed and stupidity.
The book is littered with quotes and wise words from many eminent speakers and writers. The author is clearly well read and indeed the references and bibliography at the end of the book are extensive and useful and are likely to increase your ‘must-read’ list massively!
However despondent you feel about the state of the world, this book is an encouraging and optimistic call to action, providing us with practical steps towards a more holistic and spiritual outlook. A journey of self-discovery drawn from the author’s own personal and professional experiences and research. If only more people would listen to the calling that resides within us all to make the world a better place; this book encourages us to do exactly that.