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Jun 16, 2008

Natalie rated it:

I really liked this. Possibly even more than all of the other green books I've been reading. He breaks things into small manageable things and labels them in one of 3 groups. Anyone can change a light bulb to a CFL or clean the coils on the fridge. It's more $/work to install a programmer thermostat. Replacing your windows is a big project.

Lots of tips, lots of reasons and examples, and a balanced view from his wife, who's not as green, to talk about how to incorporate some chan More...

4 comments like (1 person liked it)

Dec 10, 2008

Perryville added it

Have you noticed that lately it’s “in” to be “green”? It seems like nearly every product has jumped on the bandwagon, advertising itself as having some vague benefit for the environment, whether or not it is truly beneficial. (This reminds me of the syrup I had in the refrigerator years ago which proudly announced that it contained “real artificial chocolate flavor!”)

Ed Begley, Jr., the actor, is not interested in bandwagons. He got involved with the environmental movement back in More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Sep 29, 2011

D rated it:

Really good eco-friendly guide! There were things in this book that I would have never thought of to save energy as well as money. The first few things that we did that was easy to do and cheap were cleaning the coils on the refrigerator, washing clothes during off-peak or low-peak hours, keeping the blinds closed during the day that directly shines light on the refrigerator, and changed the light bulbs to CFL's (got these in bulk from Sam's: 3 for the price of 2). Things that we are planning More...

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May 08, 2009

Lisa rated it:

Got this after I watched the show and I admit I was a little fearful that it would be a bit naggy and irksome. I'm glad I was disappointed because it's an entertaining book, full of very useful information, presented in a format that actually encourages the reader to make the small changes (the "low hanging fruit" as Begley calls it) in an effort to see almost immediate results. We all cannot go the electric car/solar panel route nor does he insist that we should. Each small change More...

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May 08, 2008

Morgan rated it:

So excited about this book. Just happened to pick it up on Earth Day too. Ed admits that he is over the top on being green, but his wife has little excerpts that really make it a fun read. It is well written and there are tips in this book that you can do that will cost you a little or absolutely nothing.

READ: This book has changed my life.....just wait and see!

1 comment like (1 person liked it)

Oct 02, 2008

Tish rated it:

Not only do you learn to live a greener life, you enjoy the read. It is set up in a way so there are things for people at any income level to green up a bit. Ed rates every project in the book like fruit on a tree, low hanging being the easiest and the high fruit for those with a little more money to go green.

4 comments like (1 person liked it)

Nov 23, 2008

Alissa rated it:

The book is broken down into Home, Transportation, Recycling, Energy, In the Garden & Kitchen, Clothing/Hair & Skin Care. The book also includes a workbook at the end so you can try out Ed’s different suggestions and see how much you save (both money and energy). This was a good practical book of how Ed & his family live green. I appreciated his wife Rachelle’s asides which added some reality/practically since while I’m interested in being more environmentally conscious, I’m not quite as dedicat More...

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Feb 27, 2008

Sara rated it:

I found Ed Begley Jr.'s guide to green living very accessible to people getting more into this lifestyle. The overall tone of the book was very positive - Ed's enthusiasm for all things eco-friendly is pervasive. He shares his approach to energy saving or recycling, and gives good explanations for the why this each is a useful conservation habit.

I found that I liked the additional voices included in the book, Ed's wife Rachelle chimes in occasionally and "Ed's Green Friends" More...

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Jun 25, 2009

Elisa rated it:

This is really a GREAT book to read as a FIRST green book. Not only is he amusing, he never shoves his thoughts down your throat. He basically says "this is what i do and why i do it" He doesn't run around sticking every study that was ever done to prove a point. I love that. Whe needs another study?
I highly recommend this book.

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Feb 02, 2009

Josh rated it:

I would have preferred more of a narritive, but instead I got a book of tips for going green. It is not a bad book, and Ed only endorses a few brands throughout the book. But I wouldn't call this a must read or anything. It's more of just something you might like to read of you have some time to waste.

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May 13, 2008

Tamar rated it:

There are certainly some good ideas in this book, and I appreciated its recognition that not all readers have a great deal of disposable income, even for an excellent cause. (There was also good coverage of more involved, and expensive, measures to take for those able to.)

At the same time, I felt there was a lack of recognition for individual preferences. It was pretty clear to me that this book was written by someone living in a warm and sunny climate. And even though I see the prac More...

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Jun 11, 2008

Diane rated it:

This is a good primer of various ways you can live a more eco-friendly life. The chapter I appreciated most was about the different kinds of green power, specifically the econimics of solar and wind power. Granted, I don't have $35,000 to spend on a stand-alone solar power system, but Begley points out some less expensive ways to tap into green power, such as renting solar panels, investing in a wind farm or even buying green power from your utility company.

A lot of these tips you ca More...

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Aug 09, 2010

James rated it:

Interesting look in how to live ultra green. I have never taken much of Ed's advice, but now that I know how to recycle I cringe whenever I see the stuff people are putting into their blue cans.

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Sep 28, 2010

Elizabeth rated it:

This is the perfect book for someone who is just starting to go green. It's an easy to read very well organized book with tons of tips in it, even for those just renting.

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Aug 27, 2009

Tory rated it:

This book has some awesome tips. Some that I already know about and others that were such great suggestions. It is also very motivating! Highly recommended. :)

1 comment like

Jan 19, 2010

Danielle rated it:

I ended up not finishing this book, since I ran out of time before it was due back at the library. Part of the problem is that I may already be part of the converted; many of the ideas here were not new to me, so it was hard to stay engaged.

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Jun 15, 2009

Andrea rated it:

I highly recommend this book! It ROCKED! :)

I love Ed Begley and everything he is doing for the environment and if anyone knows me I am trying to do as much as my budget allows!

READ THIS BOOK!

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Mar 22, 2008

Bob rated it:

This book is great. It offers really practical ways to alter your life in a more 'green' direction. The best part is, he's not some high and mighty Hollywood activist. Instead, he's warm and kind and funny. Most importantly he realizes that everyone isn't as crazy about this stuff as he is...but he encourages you to take steps in the right direction, even if you don't go all the way. Every little bit helps, and he recognizes that for some folks reading the book, a little bit is all they'll More...

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Apr 10, 2011

Purlewe rated it:

Interesting ideas. some I already do.. some I have been planning to do for awhile. I loved the idea of a household wind turbine.

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Jun 10, 2010

Catherine rated it:

I sympathize with his wife in her laments about Ed's disinterest in household aesthetics. I want an urban windmill now.

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Sep 09, 2010

Margi rated it:

If you are at all inclined to be more environmentally responsible...this is the book to have. I love how he includes sections dealing with home, transportation, recycling, clothing and skin care etc...He has tips that are free, low cost, and a bit more of an investment (like solar panels). Choose one change at a time. His style is not preachy or over the top...entirely accessible. A hero of sorts. He has been living the green life long before it was the thing to do. Can it now be the thing to do More...

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Aug 28, 2008

Heather rated it:

Ed (with asides from his wife) tell you about green-ifying your home, your work and your life. Surprising things: Get rid of your lawn, because it is a stinky use of water. Plant a garden, instead, of things that grow well in your climate. Ed's wife, Rachelle, explains her commitment to the enviornment in a more selfish(?) way, such as using organic shampoos and lotions to get rid of all the petroleum and parabens. It was interesting if you're interested in the subject, and you want to know w More...

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Jun 26, 2009

Tonnie rated it:

Great information...would like a copy

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Mar 28, 2009

Rayell rated it:

Gave me some good ideas.

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Feb 23, 2010

Ellen rated it:

I really liked this book. Ed's got a lot of great ideas and points out a lot of small things we could all be doing that will make a big difference. He isn't pretentious or holier than thou either, which I loved.

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Sep 13, 2008

Dioscita rated it:

I never expected to like a "celebrity" book nor did I think E.B. Jr. had much to teach me. I was wrong on both counts (and am really glad about that). Two highlights for me were the idea of a "green switch" for the home (to turn off the outlets that not-in-use-appliances are plugged in to while keeping the other ones on/running) and a "terra pass" which invests in green or alternative fuel providers to offset ways we have to sometimes be fuel hogs (i.e. if we must

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Aug 07, 2011

Colin rated it:

I love ed! If I could be like one other person.... This book has lots of information from the show and adds on some too.

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Aug 26, 2008

Robyn rated it:

With a minimum of politics and preaching, this book was much more practical than I expected.

Tips ranged from "turn the heat down and wear a sweater" in the winter to "install a vertical-axis wind tubine" on the roof of your house. Even though the author has plenty of money to install the more expensive items, he expects that normal people do not and so he has categorized the tips in terms of initial financial impact. Unexpectedly useful.

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Oct 16, 2008

Steve rated it:

A great primer for starting to think and live green. Ed's manner is very practical, informal and fun. He comes at it from the dual stand of helping the environment AND saving money, which is a great two-pronged attack. Some of his suggestions might be a bit much for a beginner (like me) and I'm sure certain things were easier for him to do on a Hollywood salary, but the basics are straightforward enough for anyone to follow.

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Jul 10, 2008

Chris rated it:

Some neat ideas and more info on them, but overall, I was disappointed that there wasn't a resource guide included. Most of his green goods must be ordered online, but few names or websites were offered. I know he's writing from his own experience in SoCal, but not all of us live there, so it would have been nice to have websites and company names. The Ed's Green Friend segments were nice, though.

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