Harmony
by HRH The Prince of Wales, Harper Collins, $70
A fascinating debate is taking place in Britain right now. It centres on the extent to which members of the royal family should become involved in local and national politics.
Prince Charles has become an activist. He has lobbied against, and stalled,
new building projects designed by world-famous architects. Now his trust wants a say - and wants local people to have a say - in the design of any new buildings. And the Cameron coalition Government is supporting him.
So there is controversy on two counts. Traditionally, the royals stay out of politics. Should this exception be allowed? And if locals - and the prince's trust - can influence the design of new buildings, is this a triumph for democracy or a recipe for argumentative chaos and the blunting of innovation and progress?
Against this background, the release of this book is timely. It incorporates all the prince's views on the dangers threatening the planet, and the dangers to mankind from industrialisation and the obsessive pursuit of wealth.
Much of the content will be endorsed by most people - the acidification of the oceans, the plunder of the rainforests, the depletion of essential resources, greenhouse gases, pollution, etc.
It is Prince Charles' views on the value and wisdom of the ancients, and on modern architecture, which will be most controversial. Yes, as he says, there is a peace and profound sense of wellbeing from being inside most sacred buildings, of whatever faith. But are these designs practical for buildings destined for other purposes? He scorns, rightly, the ugliness of the many soulless blocks of flats which sprung up in the cities of Europe and America after WWII, but is this not an example of how modern techniques and ideas can be used to improve these eyesores?
A man who converses with his plants inevitably invites some skepticism. Nutter or visionary? A bit of both, I feel. Yet one has to admire his depth of knowledge and his passion.
