Starhawk's Spiral Dance was one of the things that set me on the path to becoming a Witch many years ago. The connections between magic and politics are the best parts of Webs of Power. I am very interested in how earth-based spirituality is linked to conservation efforts. The use of ritual and even Tarot in Starhawk's political actions was fascinating. ( )

One of the most important issues of the beginning of this century is how systems of commerce work to distribute resources justly (or not) and sustainability (or not). Starhawk's latest book, Webs of Power, addresses these issues and meditates on ways to effect political change.

Webs of Power is the latest step in Starhawk's journey moving from the interlocutor of Wicca as a Goddess Religion to a guide for participants fighting planetary injustice. The book is divided into two parts. The first half is a collection of journal entries written during the conflicts between the powers of corporate capitalism and the global justice movement. The second half of the book is seven essays meditating on various paths to a just and sustainable global economy.

When reading *Webs of Power*, it is important to keep in mind Starhawk's own admission that she is not an investigative reporter, but an activist and novelist. Starhawk's strength is her ability to use poetry and stories to convey deep and complex ideas; but be aware of when Starhawk is reporting her experiences and when she draws conclusions (especially about others' motivations) based only on the strength of her poetic intuitions.

I would recommend Webs of Power to anyone concerned about the environment, fascism, or global justice. The structure of the book makes it an accessible, quick read. Pagans looking for spells to turn George Bush into a toad won't find them here (try Llewellyn publications), and I would recommend Starhawk's classic *The Spiral Dance.* For a more in depth look at how the industrial/military complex has shaped our culture, I would recommend Starhawk's pithy Truth or Dare (unfortunately, it's still as valid today as it was during the Reagan administration). ( )