If you want to know what the experience of being preached to by a teenage zealot is like, then this is the book for you. Probably the author is a bit If you want to know what the experience of being preached to by a teenage zealot is like, then this is the book for you. Probably the author is a bit older than that, but it is not clear that with increased age has come wisdom and maturity. There are major problems facing us and our future due to our unsustainable economic practices, our ever-increasing overconsumption of our natural resources, and the growing damage from our waste production. Individually as and as a society we are going to have to face and tackle these problems and I had hoped this book might make useful reading in this regard.
If I had the problem of not knowing what to do with all the skin foundation preparations I had, or what to do with all the hair conditioners on my shelf, or perhaps being troubled by the number of shoes I owned, or if I had a difficulty in resisting buying new fashionable outfits, then this book may have had some utility. It seems aimed at a group who have been excessively consuming and now want to deal with the guilt from that. It provides ways to make minor changes that will have imperceptible effects, but which might assuage your guilt and perhaps even afford a little bit of smugness.
Food, fashion, and cosmetics are the principal areas covered. I can't imagine many people did not know much of the content prior to reading this book. Possibly I am wrong but I don't think you will be amazed to discover that an empty bottle can be used to hold a candle, or a jam jar can be re-purposed into a pencil and pen holder. If you are then you are going to be amazed to discover that a mug with a broken handle can also be used as a pen holder. There is also an unpleasant tendency to see the "decluttering" aspect of the advice as an excuse to buy again - make space to repeat the purchasing. There is an inordinate amount of time telling the reader where to buy vintage fashion, second-hand clothes and other fashion items. The jolly nature avoids dealing with the big issue we have to consume less not just consume differently.
The writing is light and irritating; often using six or seven adjectives in a list when the point was as easily made with one. There are innumerable lists, most of which are unnecessary. What there is very little of is information. The information presented is glibly presented as fact and there is no recognition of areas which are contentious or difficult. Ten minutes in front of an open browser window would provide more information.
Maybe I am too mean. Perhaps this is the only way to make headway with the fashion conscious, skin cleansing, cosmetic and beauty obsessed youth. But if you are not in that group I think you are unlikely to take anything away from this book....more
An unusual format; an autobiographical tale wrapped inside a biography. Superb writing with memorable turns of phrase, often witty and often insightfuAn unusual format; an autobiographical tale wrapped inside a biography. Superb writing with memorable turns of phrase, often witty and often insightful. All because a francophile has an interest in a dead parrot....more
This book would be a useful reference source were someone undertaking research on the period. Halfway through, I remembered I was no longer doing 'HigThis book would be a useful reference source were someone undertaking research on the period. Halfway through, I remembered I was no longer doing 'Higher' history and decided I could stop reading. Along with a sense of relief I also know where to go if I ever have to write an essay on the Nazi's police forces....more
This was an an enjoyable tale of three characters and their nemesis. The main characters are, to a degree, stereotypes but still have sufficient depthThis was an an enjoyable tale of three characters and their nemesis. The main characters are, to a degree, stereotypes but still have sufficient depth to be interesting. Indeed, sometimes stereotypy can be a good method to highlight features. The ideas of misuse and evil are a constant thread and all our baser impulses and fears can be found here...more
I feel that this may be the best Martin beck novel. It has two crimes running through it, a heist and a locked room murder mystery. Both are intriguinI feel that this may be the best Martin beck novel. It has two crimes running through it, a heist and a locked room murder mystery. Both are intriguing but it is the locked room, and how the mystery is revealed, which is the core of the book. As usual the characters are well drawn and engaging and the description of Swedish life, at the time, intriguing....more
This is a fast paced novel which can enjoyably be read in a few sitings. The characters are well drawn and believable and although it is the second inThis is a fast paced novel which can enjoyably be read in a few sitings. The characters are well drawn and believable and although it is the second in a trilogy it can be read on its own. As with most post-apocalyptic novels it has a bleak view of human nature though there are some glimmers of hope....more
This is a mercifully short book. In its few pages it manages to avoid any new insights and by heavy use of jargon it manages to obscure the few pointsThis is a mercifully short book. In its few pages it manages to avoid any new insights and by heavy use of jargon it manages to obscure the few points he has. Turgid and banal like Plato writing the verse for Valentines cards....more
This was an interesting book, well written with a journalistic, east to read style. He tries hard to look at both atheist and theist arguments and eveThis was an interesting book, well written with a journalistic, east to read style. He tries hard to look at both atheist and theist arguments and eventually finds them both wanting as they seem to neglect the importance of conscience and soul. He finishes promoting an old-fashioned humanist position, which stressed the importance of man, before this was usurped by more recent acerbic antitheism...more
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