Voluntary Simplicity - Rev [Paperback]

 

 

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Very satisfied with the quality and delivery of this item. It came in less time than was promised and the book was in new condition.

I'd read many websites on the concept of voluntary simplicity, and various other books on similar concepts, while I was on the library waiting list for this book, and I expected this, the one that much of the movement is attributed to being started by, to be the best of the lot. What an intense disappointment when I found the book was half filled with people's testimonials of how and why they started living more simply, and the other half relating more to spiritual matters than actual practical information. For this, I could have just joined an email list and/or picked up a spiritual/religious text of my choosing. I ended up skimming through most of the book due to the lack of real content.

Some books I would recommend instead for those interested in this one would be "Take Back Your Time", "The Overspent American", "Your Money Or Your Life", "Why We Buy", and "No Logo". Much more enjoyable reads.

Although dated, this revised edition of VOLUNTARY SIMPLICITY reads as fresh as a morning flower, and its subject matter is even more timely and relevant today. Here Author Duane Elgin provides a wonderful exploration of the practical and philosophical meaning of simplicity, as well as a very comprehensive overview of our ecological predicament. He does not suggest we live like Thoreau or throw out notions of progress. In place of thoughtless grow or "no growth" Elgin prefers a path of "new growth," where inner and outer, spiritual and material, technological and ecological demands are harmonized and balanced. From beginning to end, I could not put this book down. After reading it, I feel like a changed person. To quote Elgin, "In an era dominated by hideously complex problems of global dimension, the ability to see the world more clearly is essential to the survival and well-being of the human family." And indeed, helping us see better is exactly what Elgin accomplishes. If this book moves you, you might also want to check out ECOCITIES, by Richard Register, and ECOVILLAGE LIVING, by Hildur Jackson and Karen Stevenson. Lester Brown's ECO-ECONOMY should go without mention.

~a glObal classic~

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3.0 out of 5 stars Voluntary Simplicity:Toward A Way of Life...
Elgin has been hailed, by some, as a guru of the simplicity movement, yet I was disappointed with the content of this book. Read more

Published on Sep 14 2002 by tonka66

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Read!
I enjoyed this book. My only warning is that one must read it in context of when it was written. In other words, there's no new ground-breaking information in the book, but it... Read more

Published on Mar 27 2002

4.0 out of 5 stars Preaching to the converted?
Not quite a classic in the sense of Thoreau's "Walden", and not a practical how-to like Dominguez and Robin's "Your money or your life". Read more

Published on Nov 18 2001 by Christo

5.0 out of 5 stars A good book for the beginning
If you are looking for a good overview on the ideas of simple living, try this book. Lacking sometimes indepth information it still is a very good overview and introduction in the... Read more

Published on May 11 2001 by Uwe Hauck

1.0 out of 5 stars Lame and superficial.
When simple ideas and concepts are clear, they stand before the complex world in which we life and have an evident aesthetic and beauty. Read more

Published on April 4 2001 by Juan Carlos Uribe

4.0 out of 5 stars A Calm, Patient Style Befitting the Subject Matter
This is one of the landmark works of the simplicity movement. In contrast to the Dominguez' Your Money or Your Life, Mr. Read more

Published on Dec 24 2000 by Robert H. Nunnally Jr.

5.0 out of 5 stars Toward a new understanding
Beyond explaining what Voluntary Simplicity is, Duane Elgin provides equally important information: What is isn't. Read more

Published on Oct 26 2000 by Gary E. Rutkowski

2.0 out of 5 stars A Sermon
This book is an ecumenical sermon about the global implications of hyper-consumerism. It contains little information about specific ways to reduce consumption, leaving it open... Read more

Published on Sep 15 2000

4.0 out of 5 stars A Simple Book ...
This book, a gift from a friend, was a simple read - I am surprised by some of the reviews that confuse the thoughts in here with Marxism, since I didn't find much of that. Read more

Published on Aug 14 2000 by Quaker Annie

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful,Thoughtful, And Illuminating Work!
If the singular word "visionary" is one that can be used to describe such a popular and overwhelming bestseller as this book has become, then that is best word I can conjure up... Read more

Published on Jun 29 2000 by Barron Laycock

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