Whole Earth

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Told by a leading chronicler of technology and society, this definitive biography explores the life of Stewart Brand, an iconic serial visionary. From his involvement with the Merry Pranksters and the influential Whole Earth Catalog to the fusion of environmental awareness and hacker capitalism, Brand's story is intertwined with the emergence of a new planetary culture. While he is well-known among counterculture enthusiasts and environmental advocates, many outside these circles recognize him for his mantra, "Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish," famously endorsed by Steve Jobs. Brand's life is marked by striking contradictions: a blond-haired WASP with a modest background, he became an artist and photographer during the 1960s LSD revolution. His vision of seeing Earth from space culminated in a photograph featured on the cover of his catalog, a cornerstone of counterculture literature. Committed to protecting indigenous cultures and the environment, he has also faced criticism for his pragmatic embrace of technologies like nuclear power in combating climate change. Rejecting traditional politics, Brand focused on direct empowerment and was an early advocate for the computer revolution. John Markoff masterfully unfolds Brand's complex narrative, revealing how his individualism, respect for science, and diverse influences create a powerful worldview that embodies a California state of mind and offers a hopeful vision for humanity's futu