In his book, A Language Older Than Words, Derrick Jensen attempts to make sense of the atrocities that humans do to each other and to the world in which they live. He speaks of the need for intercommunication between all species; animal, humans, and plants as well as a renewed realization of our interdependence on the entire world and all that is in it. Jensen suggests that in order for positive changes to be made in the world, those that act in ways that are destructive must be made extinct in order to save the world.

In the main premise of Jensen's book, he compares and connects the abuse that he endured in his childhood home to the abuse that takes place in the world as a whole. He discusses what causes abuse as well as some of the reasons why abuse continues to occur. Jensen also talks of the ways that those who are abused protect themselves from their feeling that the world has deceived them.

Jensen goes on the write about the path he has traveled to his own recovery. This path has led him close to a world that has also been abused and continues to be abused. As a result of their similar abuses, Jensen forms a connection with the world and its inhabitants. Jensen traces the thoughts that have caused men to take advantage of the earth and abuse others as they have. Jensen also paints a picture of what might eventually happen to the world if the widespread abuse is not stopped.

Jensen concludes his book by discussing what needs to be done in order to repair the damage that has been done to the earth. He indicates that a way must be found to banish those companies whose activities harm the earth from participation in society. In order to do so, he argues that we as humans must learn to distinguish between real and false hopes. What, for instance, should we expect from those who insist on taking advantage?

Jensen explains that even with a proper mindset, this repair will not be quick or easy. He says that the problems of the world have been intentionally structured so that there will be no easy fix. He finishes his book by indicating that the world is waiting for us to remember our interconnectedness with it and put an end to the isolation that leads to violence and atrocities against it and mankind.