A Second and Revised Edition of True North – A Flickering Soul in No Man’s Land, by Stephanie Gallagher, was released in October. It is a story about the career of Knut Utstein Kloster, father of the modern $40-billion a year cruise industry. But it is more than that—more because Kloster is an extraordinary man who has been ahead of his time, not only in his visionary, groundbreaking business enterprises, but also in his lifelong commitment to larger goals and his half-century lead, over many of today’s successful entrepreneurs, in responding to the most pressing global challenges of our time. Forty years ago, Kloster ‘walked the talk’ that now occupies center stage on every political, economic and corporate agenda. Eminent British scientist, James Lovelock, creator of the Gaia Theory, has written the Foreword to the book.
Hon. Vigdis Finnbogadottir, President of Iceland from1980 to1996, had this to say about it:
What a delight to have this interesting and encouraging compilation of stories and anecdotes about Knut Utstein Kloster, his impressive career, and especially his commitment to larger goals. As President of Iceland at the time of the GAIA to Rio expedition (Chapter Six), it was a great pleasure to be able to support GAIA’s mission, and to be her Godmother. This book should be required reading for every one who cares about the environment and our common future. Knut Utstein Kloster almost makes it look easy, but we know it isn’t. It will take all of us and many such books to bridge the gap between the world-that-is and the world-as-it-should be. I especially recommend this book to anyone who doubts Kloster’s math: 2 + 2 = 5.
Hon. Helen Delich Bentley, former Chairman of the United States Federal Maritime Commission and 5-term Member of the U.S. House of Representatives has also endorsed True North:
This book is about corporate responsibility — about “doing well by doing good.” I have known Knut Utstein Kloster for many years and I firmly believe that the American Flagship project (Chapter Five) will prove to be Kloster’s greatest accomplishment and an enduring example that capitalism can have a heart and that financial and larger goals can co-exist and actually complement one another. Thumbs up to Stephanie Gallagher for this prodigiously researched and well-written story about a man we cannot help but admire greatly.
Stephan Schmidheiny, founder of the Business Council for
Sustainable Development and Honorary Chairman of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, had this to say
about the book:
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development has as its goal to promote business leadership based on eco-efficiency, innovation and corporate social responsibility. True North tells the story of one individual who embodies this vision and commitment for a better tomorrow. Knut Utstein Kloster is a leader who, through his example, is helping to light the way. I applaud the man and greatly enjoyed reading the book about him.
The Second and Revised Edition provides an update on the American Flagship project, including additional background on Title XI – attempting to clarify misunderstandings regarding the purpose of the program and its “economic soundness criteria” which has frequently been sacrificed for political reasons. The Second Edition also contains a new chapter on initiatives to build a World City-class ship in China (Dragon World City) as an ideal and rapidly growing market for the city-ship concept. There is also a chapter on LUNAS – one of Kloster’s most intriguing ideas for creation of a Little United Nations at Sea.
