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cedarcinders's review against another edition
5.0
This is a great book that helps me reattain perspective when I feel overwhelmed by modern life, so I often come back and read a chapter or two to lighten up my attitude. It's a sort of life philosophy/sort of Medieval England history book rolled together. Each chapter tackles a particular aspect of shrugging off various anxieties (Stop Competing, Stop Worrying About Your Pension and Get a Life, etc.). Some of the author's suggestions (like not paying your phone bill) are absurd, but I find the overall levity charming, and the bones of his suggestions are mostly useful. I can see why some readers would be put off by the author's take on life, but it helps tamp down my worries.
mpatshi's review against another edition
I, I, I
Me, me, me
the perfect example of a know-it-all man-child who has everything yet chooses to complain about it all...
This whole book consists of so many contradictions.
Many eyes were rolled, annoyance was felt, time was waisted.
How does anyone manage to get through this book ?
Me, me, me
the perfect example of a know-it-all man-child who has everything yet chooses to complain about it all...
This whole book consists of so many contradictions.
Many eyes were rolled, annoyance was felt, time was waisted.
How does anyone manage to get through this book ?
libraryzen's review against another edition
1.0
All of the chapter topics sounded like great opportunities to discuss, but oh my god what a whiner Tom is. I could not finish this book because in every chapter I read he turns the topic into an opportunity to bitch and complain. Glad I did not pay for this book.
loujoseph's review against another edition
4.0
about the closest to a self-help book i've read- a little too much idealizing medieval england, but otherwise a good jolt to rethink how you spend/make money, get food, etc.
meghan111's review against another edition
3.0
Man, does he hate the Puritans.
This is great in the most laughable way - page 13, for example, has an awesome slogan "Replace TV with friends, and newspapers with books." Then, by page 30, the author is ranting away about his unpaid parking tickets and how "all non-robots in society are attacked and fined," noting that "the Nazis were well-organized." I get the impression that he hasn't thought through a lot of this as much as one would hope, but it's funny and inspiring.
This is great in the most laughable way - page 13, for example, has an awesome slogan "Replace TV with friends, and newspapers with books." Then, by page 30, the author is ranting away about his unpaid parking tickets and how "all non-robots in society are attacked and fined," noting that "the Nazis were well-organized." I get the impression that he hasn't thought through a lot of this as much as one would hope, but it's funny and inspiring.
karenreads1000s's review against another edition
4.0
A great read. Idleness ideas and unexpected discussions about medieval times versus Puritanism and consumerism. A lengthy further reading section also.
romcm's review against another edition
1.0
The idea in general is great, but I found the execution to be overly wordy bullshit. I stopped reading when the author advised readers to cease taking medication for depression.
silviaveg's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
4.0
dangermoves's review against another edition
1.0
This book is fucking awful. I couldn't finish it, it drove me absolutely crazy. So stupid. Done. And I never half finish books, so you know this one was rough.