Tom Hodgkinsonin keväällä 2006 suomeksi julkaistu teos Joutilaisuuden ylistys on saavuttanut suurta suosiota, ja nyt ilmestyvässä Vapauden ylistyks...
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Nov 23, 2008
Tom
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Tom Hodgkinson's admirable intention may have been to write a parody of self-help books but unfortunately ends up falling into similar territory of smuggery as the genuine articles. It seems to me the underlying reasoning behind authors of self-help guides is steeped in narcissism, i.e. I am great ergo do as I do and you too shall be great. Thus, the cynical reader of 'How To Be Twee' will find it difficult to see beyond the calls to mimic the author's own choice examples of upper-middle class v
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Aug 25, 2009
Marko
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Mr Hodgkinson telling you how to be more free and enjoy life. The tune is more down to earth (and joy!) than a guide to zen-like harmony with your inner and outer aspects of your so highly spiritual life.
What's it about
It's about Tom slapping you in the face [a friendly slap, that is:] and thus making you think for a while about the world and how you live in it. It's about how to live more freely in a society where everything seems to be based on consumption. Many examples and More...
What's it about
It's about Tom slapping you in the face [a friendly slap, that is:] and thus making you think for a while about the world and how you live in it. It's about how to live more freely in a society where everything seems to be based on consumption. Many examples and More...
Jun 22, 2011
Spagetes
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How to Be Free is a fun but arguable guide to getting off the producer/consumer treadmill and centering your life on creative pursuits and social bonding.
There is sensible advice about saving money by not eating out and growing your own food, and just basically living more with less stuff.
Hodgkinson is educated and had a lucrative job at one point in his life but learned to embrace thrift after being downsized. Therefore there is an element of privilege in his voice that overl More...
There is sensible advice about saving money by not eating out and growing your own food, and just basically living more with less stuff.
Hodgkinson is educated and had a lucrative job at one point in his life but learned to embrace thrift after being downsized. Therefore there is an element of privilege in his voice that overl More...
Dec 21, 2010
Rev.
rated it: 
This book was a bit like pearl diving. There are bits in it that are absolutely fantastic, but the hard-on that Hodgkinson has for the medieval era is nothing short of bizarre. His nostalgia for the ancient Catholic church borders on frightening. I gave this two stars because there is some insight in this that is incredibly well though-out. However, references to "Piers Plowman" and "Pilgrim's Progress" are what kept me out of pursuing my English major to a PhD. Hodgkinson of
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Apr 19, 2009
Richard
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Occassionally I read the reviews by other people, and I wonder if they've read the same book as me!
Tom Hodgkinson's book seems to me not to be a self help guide. It doesn't provide a programme to follow to be free, but it argues, occassionally eloquently, that it is possible for everyone to loosen their 'Mind Forged Manacles'. Much of his method for doing this revolves around taking control and responsibility for or and for your own life. If you hate your job then change it. If you More...
Tom Hodgkinson's book seems to me not to be a self help guide. It doesn't provide a programme to follow to be free, but it argues, occassionally eloquently, that it is possible for everyone to loosen their 'Mind Forged Manacles'. Much of his method for doing this revolves around taking control and responsibility for or and for your own life. If you hate your job then change it. If you More...
Jan 11, 2010
Margaret
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I read this book because one of my good friends chose it for our new book club. I recommend this book to anyone who feels oppressed and is made anxious by our modern society, which I imagine must include every single individual. This book has inspired me to undertake a project in my own life that has been a long time coming: http://freedomprojected.wordpress.com/.
I can't wait to read his other book, "How to be Idle."
If you are cynical about guide-to-life book More...
I can't wait to read his other book, "How to be Idle."
If you are cynical about guide-to-life book More...
Jul 08, 2007
Yasmine
rated it: 
An anarchist writes about how you can live a life without anxiety, debt or boredom. About a quarter into the book I realised I was already living quite a "free" life as the writer depicts it -- no debts, no car, and I actually love my job. The only thing in my life that was making me anxious and bored was this infuriating book that advocates horse-riding, playing the ukulele and forming guilds for the simple reason that the author has a personal interest in horses, ukuleles and medieva
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Feb 21, 2009
Elizabeth
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This book was interesting and had some novel ideas, but some parts seemed either spun or poorly researched, and some of the suggestions were just impractical. To name a few examples, the author seemed to have no conception that some people live in areas where you can't ride a bike year-round, or that "saying no to guilt" and "smashing the fetters of fear" are easier said than done. The book does have an amazing annotated bibliography, though..
Jul 28, 2011
Derek
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Although substantially a rehash of articles and other writings that have been in The Idler over the years, this is entertaining and thought-provoking and basically correct in just about every argument that Tom Hodgkinson puts forward. Some of it's a bit starry-eyed and woolly but on balance that's no bad way to live your life.
Apr 10, 2007
Dan
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This book is easy to read and has got admirable aims: to remind you that your life doesn't need to be ruled by the relentless pursuit of material goals etc. And nice that he obviously practices what he preaches. And I like The Idler anyway.
Occasionally though I didn't think the arguments ring true. Tom claims that we should embrace poverty. Easy to say if you're quick-witted and resourceful enough to be able to live flexibly by working as a freelance writer. But not everyone is resou More...
Occasionally though I didn't think the arguments ring true. Tom claims that we should embrace poverty. Easy to say if you're quick-witted and resourceful enough to be able to live flexibly by working as a freelance writer. But not everyone is resou More...
Jan 24, 2012
Adrian
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Even more provocative in parts than 'How to be Idle'. Some parts seem irresponsible (such as completely ignoring debt), but every time Tom wins you back round with his charm and well-argued points. We should treasure voices that point out the flaws in unquestioned aspects of mainstream culture. But to enjoy this book you need to be open to new ideas and philosophies - otherwise you may just find it irritating. I hope you read it and enjoy it!
Jan 31, 2012
Kate
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A good reminder to question if we are living the life we want, and if not, some ideas of how to change it. Part inspiring, some parts unrealistic. Overall I enjoyed it and am all set to buy a small holding to start the 'Good Life'!
Nov 06, 2011
Teresa
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I LOVE this book, and it gave me lots of insight in the mechanisms of consume...it's one of a few books I can read again and again.
Feb 07, 2008
Helen
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Tom Hodgkinson is obsessed with a "golden age" of humanity - the Christian Mediavel ages. Everything was better then.
There is Money somewhere in his family.
I feel a bit mean for these being the main themes I took away from this book, because despite some really irritating tides running through it, and some really obvious advise that I can't believe I paid for, I did actually enjoy reading it. And I did learn a few interesting things about Mediaeval man.
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There is Money somewhere in his family.
I feel a bit mean for these being the main themes I took away from this book, because despite some really irritating tides running through it, and some really obvious advise that I can't believe I paid for, I did actually enjoy reading it. And I did learn a few interesting things about Mediaeval man.
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Apr 21, 2009
Jo
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While he does make some pertinent points, I don't wholly agree with this author. Although I do seem to live by some of the so-called 'rules' he sets out. The author also seems to contradict himself a lot
Sep 21, 2009
Jane
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OK, i'm only a tiny way in, but this is so smug, so internally inconsistent, so ill-informed and so self-centred that I doubt I will ever finish. Maybe.
I never finished. He does have some interesting ideas, but overall he's just way too self-absorbed and lacking in ability to see why other people might live the way they do for me to be able to take his manifesto seriously.
I never finished. He does have some interesting ideas, but overall he's just way too self-absorbed and lacking in ability to see why other people might live the way they do for me to be able to take his manifesto seriously.
Oct 14, 2007
Lindsay
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More "medieval times" masturbation material from Tom Hodgkinson thrown in amongst some decent tips on how to reorganize your life around life instead of work. It's pretty comforting stuff for someone who works part-time and freelance, especially since there are so few examples of other people living that life but I'm not sure how most full-time wage slaves would relate to it. But I guess that's the point, it is for the converted.
Jun 05, 2009
Jonny
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Why the medievals were better at everything. Plus: how to play the ukulele. Anarchism and gardening. Satisfaction.
Jun 13, 2008
Nick
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Slacking-off should be more fun than reading this book. Hodgkinson is not the same kind of mind-bender as, say, the Rev. Ivan Stang, but he has a knack for being able to write down all the stuff that one thinks of as they walk around and observe a world and society that's become too bloated, too busy, and too obsessed with wealth, fame, and status.
Jun 05, 2008
Kate
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He has a strange idealized obsession with the middle ages, and I wouldn't take his word for the word of god, but definitely worth reading. Stick it to the man. 9 to fives are for the weak.
Aug 25, 2008
Brigid
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I loved this book!!! It is a brilliant read if you're pondering how you spend your life & reassessing what is important. It is funny but well researched & referenced.
Dec 17, 2009
Gary
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Fun anarchist cheerleading. A bit naïve in spots, but uplifting, entertaining, and thought-provoking nonetheless.
Jul 15, 2008
Nikkishell
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A great book for those that are looking to downshift and live a simpler life. I highly recommend it.
