RADICAL PRINCE. THE PRACTICAL VISION OF THE PRINCE OF WALES David Lorimer, Floris Books, Edinburgh, 2004. Paperback, 271 pages, £9.99. ISBN 0-86315-463-8

Prince Charles raises around £100 million each year for his seventeen main charities. He cannot be accused of lacking generosity. But many of his actions appear misunderstood. This book was written to address that.
    The Prince sees all life as interconnected. He speaks of ‘stewardship’: on one level, living a sustainable lifestyle, recycling, saving energy and taking personal responsibility; on a deeper level, recognizing ‘that we are as much a part of the living world as it is part of us.’ We should seek not merely to ‘manage the earth’s resources more efficiently’ but more - ‘to live in balance with the rest of creation.’ He suggests an inclusive approach combining traditional and modern scientific techniques. The book explains that this works, and is profitable. The discussion of the success of the Prince’s organic product range is instructive.
    But can we trust what the book is asking us to believe? It would have been useful if the author had asked Prince Charles some direct questions. Unfortunately he did not. All we have are the Prince’s speeches and public pronouncements; wonderful they are, but we cannot be certain how much of the real man we are getting.
    There has always been a question in my mind about how one squares the killing of animals for sport with the pursuit of the sacred. I mean, the Dalai Lama doesn’t wander off with a shotgun to shoot a few of God’s creatures when he gets bored. Furthermore, the Prince undertakes over five hundred engagements each year. If we allow the chap his weekends for polo, shooting and fiddling with his Aston Martin carburettors, this must mean a couple of engagements every day. With all the travel involved, when does he get time to read, think and write his speeches? I should like to know a bit more.
    However, Prince Charles’ contribution to society is, I conclude from the wealth of data adduced, valuable and well targeted. No one can commit so much of his financial resources, his time and his intelligence, to the immense programme of cultural revitalisation as the Prince does without caring deeply about what he is doing. That point comes through very strongly. Those who criticise the Prince for clinging to an ‘obsolete’ perspective should first read this account and judge their critiques against the standards it reveals.
    Michael Baigent