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Jan 13, 2008

Jeremy rated it:

A book solidly lobbying for the return of the nap, the long lunch, the idle stroll, the enojyment of sleep and the absurdity of the full-time job. He makes it sound as though the ideal life is the idle life and all one needs to do is find that occupation that gets them by with the essentials of life. Leisure and loafing will take care of the rest. Of course, he's also an Englishman so his ability to avoid the full-on career is augmented a bit by the universal health-care he enjoys. I trust fulfi More...

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Aug 09, 2007

Julia rated it:

The quality of your life and the quality of your happines deserve to be high. Take long walks, drink loose tea and beer, sleep late, skip work, meditate, and other advice (some less warm and fuzzy) are contained in Hodgkinson's manifesto for loafers. It's refreshing to demonize Edison and Franklin, and to elevate flaneurs, Oscar Wilde, and whoever else loves idling around streetcorners and cafes. It would be difficult to follow the day as prescribed by Hodgkinson-- each chapter explores the c More...

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Dec 11, 2007

Chazz rated it:

I really liked this book. At times it was really funny, as when he discusses smoking, saying "My New York friend Tom says that there are so many people smoking in the street that you have to go inside for a breath of fresh air."

At other times it was profound, as in this pearl from the chapter on fishing: "It's nice to catch a fish," the master explained, "but it's not really the point."

The author is British, and correspondingly, the book is More...

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Dec 13, 2011

Kasey rated it:

When I first picked up this book (Tom Hodgkinson's work is recommended in Lyanda Lynn Haupt's excellent blog), I assumed it would be a fun, light read, not much more. And it is certainly fun, and funny, and clever, and light-hearted. But some of How to be Idle is also surprisingly deep. Hodgkinson recommends idleness as a way of life (and can I mention here how much I love the fact that one of the chapters focuses on the joys and benefits of sleeping in?) not only because it makes people happ More...

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May 05, 2010

Alastair rated it:

A charming book by a lazy man. Hodgkinson celebrates the virtue of laziness and turns his own laziness into a virtue. It gives the impression of having been written off the top of his head. He cites constantly from a few sources, as if they are the books which happened to be lying on his desk when he wrote the book. That's not entirely a bad thing: it is as if he's at table with Barbara Ehrenreich, Walt Whitman, Lin Yutang, & Dr. Johnson, because they (& others) speak up so frequently. In the be More...

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Apr 14, 2010

M. D. rated it:

There is something disappointing about this book that puzzles me, since I found that I agreed with much of it, and that it often made a great deal of sense. It’s use of the great literary past to bolster its arguments were quirky and effective – Against Nature by Huysmans, lots of Walt Whitman and, oddly, but to good effect, Robert Burns (Hodgkinson spends a lot of time in Scotland, which explains the Burns, I guess). It is an agreeable, pleasant book, as a book about being idle should be….
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1 comment like (2 people liked it)

Aug 19, 2009

Castiron rated it:

I didn’t finish this book, though I read large chunks of it. The author has some really good points, that apply just as much (if not more so) to American society as to his own British. Why should we look at any apparent idleness with suspicion? Why is it more important to look like we’re busy for eight hours than to accomplish something really useful in four and enjoy the rest of our time?

And yet….

The book would have worked better for me if H. had been clearer about idlen More...

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Oct 25, 2009

Nick rated it:

An interesting book, well worth reading.

On the plus side, the central theme of how much consumer society consumes us (in particular our time) comes over well. And he covers a lot of ground.

However, he doesn't separate the evils of modern society with things he simply doesn't like or perhaps doesn't understand. I get the impression his ideal idler distrusts science, and is male.

I feel the section on smoking is particularly misguided. No "nanny state" More...

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Jan 01, 2008

Tosh rated it:

A very witty manifesto by a man who truly understands what is important in life. I like the British aspect of the writing that comes through quite strongly. It reminds me of PG Wodhouse for some reason. It has that 'eccentric' quality that is a must in British commentary. Which is a weird thing to say or write, but I have this Noel Coward/Wodheouse/Ray Davies/Morrissey British concept that is deeply into my very own DNA.

3 comments like (1 person liked it)

Nov 30, 2008

Ara rated it:

"I'm late for my stupid job. Again. I'm going to be fired and get a job making less, and
then my cable will be turned off! And...if I don't...have cable...then...hmm. You know, I
don't need this job."

Tom tells us we should stop and take a minute to make some tea, and stare off into space. Draw a pint, and start a dialogue with others. Have a smoke, and ponder the moon.

He shows us the menu, but it's not the meal, because, paradoxically, implementing idl More...

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Dec 16, 2011

Gabriela rated it:

Probabil pentru a-mi da peste nas cu puturoșenia mea am primit cadou de la niște prieteni „How To Be Idle” de Tom Hodgkinson. Nenea ăsta editează cică o revistă care se cheamă Idler și apreciază omii leneși ca subsemnata.
Ce-am văzut io la Hodgkinson încă de când am deschis cartea e că omul e punkist și anarhist și beutor și fumător. Eram chiar entuziasmată până i-am văzut și poza și mi-am dat seama că nu toți punkiștii sunt sexoși. Aia e, am rămas să povestesc de carte dacă autorul e nașpet More...

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Jul 21, 2009

Tim rated it:

This is a dangerous book. Although it is good for me in that it provides an antidote to my TYPE A behavior and pesonality, it could be just the wrong message for the less disciplined person since it praises smokeing, drinking, and take drugging (I was ecstatic about that). I found lots of great advice in this book, and some of the most flippant dismissal of health concerns that I have ever read. Nevertheless, I would recommend the book for other driven individuals.

Best Chapters:
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Sep 28, 2008

Lavinia rated it:

What I learned from this book:
Sometimes it’s OK to idle in bed a few more minutes, and yes, there’s no use in running after the bus. There will be another one.

***
uneori e ok sa lenevesti in pat citeva minute. cartea asta m-a invatat sa nu fug dupa autobus. intotdeauna vine altul dupa citeva minute.

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Jun 03, 2010

Reet78 rated it:

A well referenced and thought provoking manifesto. This book is so anti-establishment you would have thought it had been written by a well read teenager. Hodgkinson presents his answer to happiness and freedom: quit your job, get rid of your mortgage, move to the country, grown your own food, let your kids run free, brew your own beer and open your house up to neighbors in the evenings and drink lots of it, mend your own house and clothes, make your own handy-crafts... oh and forget about plann More...

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Dec 20, 2008

Eric rated it:

A good book to make you think about what your daily life and the types of things in which you are involved. Written from the perspective of a British guy that loves to slack off, I don't agree entirely with his entire premise, but took some valuable thoughts and lessons from the book and would highly recommend reading it to most in our unhealthily status anxious American society. I've been working to make my life more appreciative of the enjoyment, enlightenment and inspiration I used to feel w More...

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Sep 27, 2009

LINDA rated it:

How true is the paradox 'Travailler moins, produire plus'? The less you work the more you produce. Very True! This book covers it all- Tea, Napping, Drinking and on and on! It even includes a recipe for the Zombie.

1 oz dark Jamaican rum
2 oz gold Barbados rum
1 oz white Puerto Rican rum
1 oz apricot brandy
3/4 oz papaya nectar
3/4 oz unsweetened pineapple juice
juice of one large lime
teaspoon of finely granulated sugar

Oscar Wild's g More...

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Jun 29, 2009

Librarian rated it:

The best parts of this for me were the parts where the author identifies a historical tradition of idling via famous writers and philosophers. I had forgotten that Neitzsche extolled laziness and hey, it makes me feel better about the time I spend doing absolutely nothing when there are certified brainiacs sayings it's good. Although it's well-written, well-researched, and fun to read, I think you would have to really, really want to read something about loafing to get into this. If the inter More...

1 comment like (1 person liked it)

May 06, 2011

James rated it:

Writing a book is probably the least idle thing I can think of. Try to not hold that against Mr. Hodgkinson when reading his “How to be Idle: A Loafer’s Manifesto.” The inherent irony of this book’s existence will torment your lazy brain.

Take your time with it. Library fines be damned.

“How to be Idle” is a whimsical lark of a book, pondering such hefty topics as Saint Monday, hangovers, and the “Death of Lunch.”

There are pertinent references to [productive] cultural More...

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Oct 24, 2011

Matte rated it:

Far more than a mere novelty book, this book is a manifesto, a rejection of the dogma of Industry. I bought it expecting a whimsical ode to my own laziness but instead found something more.
Everybody jokes about the routine of working life but most of us never do anything about it. This book teaches us to embrace our anti-work instincts and consider the true joys in life: sleeping in late, calling in sick, the first drink of the day, walking, having conversations. Based firmly on the notion More...

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Oct 07, 2008

Jafar rated it:

It’s ironic that I read this book at a time when – totally uncharacteristic of me – I’ve been working quite a bit. This is really ridiculous as I neither enjoy what I do, nor do I really have any ambitions. Working more just because there’s a lot of work to do – is that being a workaholic? Maybe I should ennoble this sad slide by claiming that I’m putting my extra bit to pay for the 700 billion dollar bailout. Anyway… so this book has 24 chapters, one for each hour of the day, with each chapter More...

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Mar 02, 2010

Brian rated it:

This book will make you not feel so bad the next time you're sitting around doing as little as humanly possible. It may also make you harbor some ill-will towards American society and envy various chill cultures around the globe.

Tom Hodgkinson's How to Be Idle is a little history on idleness in global and American culture. It's mixed with sound life advice for the next time life starts weighing you down with its various "obligations" and manages to be mildly humorous all

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Jul 31, 2011

Sally rated it:

Loved this. Live life without consumerism. Am not convinced that I could spend quite the amount of time in bed that he recommends, although with the right company. No!! Am not going down that path!! The author edits The Idler magazine and has his work/life balance completely in order. This is the right book for the right time. It's not the first book of this ilk that I've read but I was talking to myself then but not listening. Coming close on Shibboleth it was re-inforcement of an idea More...

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Apr 08, 2009

Altmmdi rated it:

If you feel you are at the bottom of your strengths and you need a vacation, but you have a lot of things to do at work ... well this book will give you plenty of reasons why you should forget about work and get a life!! Have some time for yourself and enjoy life as long as you still can! The book shouldn't be taken as a bible, is just to guideline you when things start to go wrong, you are too stressed and you need a break!! First thing to remember - sleep is essential in life!!

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Sep 20, 2011

Notafraidof rated it:

i had a very nice time reading it. it gives different look at philosophy of working something or not...working, i mean. author takes time to show you different approach to everyday being there. and what was said about it in past. it brings to me a lot of new ideas. i have been read it a few months ago but i must read it again. and again. it is must have book. you can always go back and read it again. to not forgot reason why we are here. TO BE IDLE! very, very good book.

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Jun 15, 2009

Auntjenny rated it:

I like some of author Tom Hodgkinson's ideas, although sometimes he is a bit extreme for me. He claims the Industrial Revolution has ruined our quality of life, which of course is not a new idea (see William Blake), but he relies heavily on quotes from other sources and this makes the book feel a bit like a college research paper at times. The book's closing is lovely though, and the book itself contains some good ideas. A book worth reading, and a life I aspire to!

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Jun 16, 2008

Liza rated it:

Tom Hodgkinson, co-founder of the Idler, is an idle and free genius. And I use the word "genius" lightly, because why be all heavy when the world is such a bizarre and lovely place? If you have ever felt frustrated in this modern/postmodern world--if you have ever thought all the "advances" were for naught--then you should read this book, because you're not alone! It's okay that you don't like your job or the boring shows on telly. It's okay that you prefer a ramble over span More...

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Jul 02, 2008

Bullcitytaheel rated it:

I stumbled across this book while looking for something else, and was intrigued by the title! I don't know whether this book presents a serious or satiric argument - or maybe it is meant to be a combination. The author mixes classical literary references (lots of poetry that I did not particularly enjoy, and in fact, often skipped) with arguments ranging from common-sense to impractical to irreverent. Although I don't overly recommend this long-winded book, I admit to getting some ideas to co More...

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Aug 11, 2011

Gwilym rated it:

I read this when I was "backpacking" (read: being idle in Sydney, how apt). As such my recall is not good enough to provide anything approaching a "super review". Nevertheless, I recall that I enjoyed the book and a lot of the advice/ideas on living a slower life fit my philosophies - I give it 4 stars based on my loose recollections. Perhaps one day i'll purchase a new copy, seems it would be worth another read.

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Jul 29, 2011

Stephen rated it:

The in your face erudition, mixed with the matey tone of the other parts meant that I found myself speeding up and slowing down my reading as I went through it. Quite a quick and fun read overall. He seems not to consider the point that the idle lifestyle he reommends is only possible in societies where the majority of people are working their butts off so that the overall standard of living is high.

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Apr 15, 2010

Lou rated it:

a good read that jolts you out of some of your day to day habits, but also a little fristrating- it would be nice not to sell your time to someone, and 40 hours work weeks are kind of insane, but even not having a car and not buying tons of crap, you still need some money to so anything, pay off school, etc. not to mention health insurance, so in the end it ends up feeling a little depressing, so maybe better to focus on smaller changes you can make..

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