From Publishers Weekly
Organic home-care aficionado Warren Schultz (A Man's Garden) presents The Organic Suburbanite: A Swell New Way to Live the American Dream. With an aw-shucks retro style and enthusiasm, Schultz breaks down indoor and outdoor suburban living into manageable arenas for environmentally responsible practice. Ever wondered how to clean your stove, unclog drains, discourage pests, care for your car, disinfect counter tops or bleach clothes in ways that won't damage your health or your environment? Schultz addresses it all. His matter-of-fact approach eschews ideological discourse and gets down to brass tacks (or their recyclable, eco-friendly counterpart). B&w photos.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Published by a champion of living lightly, this green guide for suburbanites liberally uses sidebars and 1950s photos to convey important information without being didactic. Part 1 focuses on household management, providing tips that are supported by concrete examples. For instance, a recommendation to buy efficient washing machines is paired with an alert stating that a typical family uses 240 gallons of water weekly on laundry. Part 2 deals with the hallmarks of suburbia: automobiles and outdoor living areas. Schultz gently points out the environmental impact of cars, offering reasonable alternatives like more dutiful maintenance, alternative driveway surfaces, and nontoxic ice melters. Less utilitarian outdoor spaces like decks and swimming pools are covered, too. A third of the book is devoted to organic lawn and garden suggestions. Though the book is marketed toward suburbanites, most of the information, which includes recommended reading and resource lists, could just as easily be used in a rural or urban household. More narrowly focused than Diane MacEachern's Save Our Planet (LJ 3/1/90. p.o.d.), this is still a useful book. Recommended for all public libraries. Bonnie Poquette, Shorewood P.L., WI
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Book Description
Ask the tough questions. How can I cut down on energy use in my kitchen? What should I use to unclog the bathroom sink? Which cars create the least pollution? Should I or shouldn't I fertilize my lawn? These are just a few of the issues that families face every day in the suburbs. In this one-of-a-kind guide, author Warren Schultz points out the environmental and personal costs of traditional, toxic household practices and offers safe, natural, and easy alternatives.
From the Inside Flap
THE ORGANIC SUBURBANITE Suburban living can get complicated: You want your yard to look good. You want your kids to be safe. You want your bathtub to sparkle. You want to keep the air and water clean. You want to live the American dream. And you want to do the right thing.
Author Warren Schultz pokes gentle fun at the traditions of suburbia, while helping us discover a host of earth-friendly alternatives. You can have a great-looking landscape without toxic pesticides. You can have a clean tub without harsh cleansers. You can feel good about the food your family eats and the grass your kids play on. You can know that the choices you make are good for you, for your family, for the environment, and for the future.
Let The Organic Suburbanite be your guide to healthier, more environmentally responsible habits in all areas of your home--from laundry and bath to garage and garden. Make the choices that can make a difference. The Organic Suburbanite can show you how.
About the Author
Warren Schultz is an award- winning writer whose articles appear in
Martha Stewart Living,
Gourmet,
This Old House,
Organic Gardening,
Garden Design,
Fine Gardening,
Woman's Day, Money, and
Saveur, among others. He is the author of several books, including
The Chemical-Free Lawn,
A Man's Turf,
A Man's Garden, and
For Your Garden: City Gardens. A certified basketball referee who enjoys running and bicycling, Warren lives and gardens--organically, of course--in Essex Junction, Vermont.
