The commons encompasses everything that is jointly owned by all of us, from gifts of nature, such as the airwaves and DNA, to products of human creativity and scientific knowledge, such as dance steps, religious traditions, and open-source software. In this introduction for general readers, Walljasper, a fellow at On the Commons (a commons movement strategy center) explains general concepts of the commons and why it matters, warning that much of the commons is under threat due to private interests. The book consists of short essays illustrated with b&w photos in a lively, reader-friendly layout. Many of the essays are credited to Walljasper and other writers from On the Commons, but others are excerpts from thinkers such as Jeremy Rifkin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Winona LaDuke. Interspersed throughout the book are profiles of contemporary commons champions and boxes on real-life cases from around the country and around the world, such as an indigenous bill of rights, the Pacific Forest Trust, and the great Facebook rebellion. The book closes with advice for what ordinary people can do to restore the commons. Appendices offer a commons dictionary and a list of movies, novels, music, and art that evoke a sprit of sharing. Accessible to high school students and up, the book can be used as a supplemental text or for individual readers. Walljasper is former editor of Utne Reader. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)