The Game: Life vs the Dark Powers Paperback – November 8, 2016

The Game is an intelligent and insightful exploration of the modern world and the characters that people play within it to differing ends. On one hand, people can help the natural courses of life; on the other they can control and exploit those streams. To live and let live is to serve life, and to colonize and dominate is to destroy it. Readers of this book can understand the roles that they have played in this great game, and potentially with that knowledge can consciously choose to work for life, rather than unconsciously work for the dark forces that are bringing life to the brink of collapse.

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” (Edmund Burke). We live in times that we don’t feel are of our choosing, as though we are being swept along by menacing forces that we are unable to control. One reason for the feeling of helplessness is that the forces are not visible, but their effects –refugees, starvation, poverty, war - are seen everywhere. In The Game, Gill Coombs analyses this experience. She outlines the dark forces that underpin and determine the frightening aspects of our world, and identifies the range of responses we make. She writes, “We are playing the game whether or not we know it.” Her message is clear – we need to recognise what roles we play in the game, and whether, no matter how unwittingly, we are scoring for the dark forces. Coombs’s writing is lucid, concise and most importantly, accessible. Her optimism also comes through; we have a choice, individually andcollectively, and she gives a multitude of ways in which we can fight, halt, even reverse what can often feel unstoppable.

This slim, thought-provoking volume deserves to take its place in every reader's arsenal of life-changing and life-affirming books. Bringing clarity, hope and direction to any reader, whether aware, hopeless, angry or just confused, Gill Coombs The Game arrives at a pivotal moment. With the forces arrayed against Life seemingly playing a Trump card, it's important we all know what card we are playing or can play in the Game. Gill Coombs the Game introduces a pack of Avatars, recognisable yet timeless, archetypes; read it asking 'which am I?' Her concise, readable and non-judgemental prose paints a clear picture of the role we each play or can play in the survival or demise of our world.

The Game,with its description of two forces of Life and The Dark Powers, offers a refreshingly simple and accessible way to engage with some complex, controversial global issues. It is provocative and, with such a wide perspective, I wanted to challenge some of the assumptions. But that is the point. Each reader can map their own version of the game and recognise that not to play is not an option.

Literally read this in one go - such a practical and fascinating book on how to avoid the dark powers and live life to the full.