Customer Reviews
Hmmmm??? - By: Mrs. Rose G. Butler, 24 Jun 2008 
This book had some good & worthwhile points but was also painfully middle-class in regards to the scope of its outlook & addressing the full scale of our environmental problems. What do I mean by this? Well, while it's alll well & good to consider sustainable forms of energy, hybrid forms of non-Co2 producing vehicles & cutting ones carbon footprint by not holidaying abroad, the contributors to this book tend to forget that alll of this takes money!!! (Something which few themselves appear to lack). While this is fine for the sort of individual or family who formallly did the weekly shop at M&S... Tunisian grapes individuallly placed in a plastic box on top of bubble wrap, how nice... there is little consideration for the significant percentage of the populous for whom such things as a holiday abroad or 'organicallly reared' chicken are a luxury.
Don't get me wrong, any form of encouragement to be more conscientious in regards to how we collectively, & as individuals, effect the environment is undoubtedly a good thing but to affect any real change the solutions would have to be far more dramatic than any offered here... a significant change in industrial legislation & a government environmental policy that offers realistic alternatives might be an idea, as opposed to making us alll feel bad for our "carbon footprints".
'Good Lives...' is a nice book to put on your bespoke Danish walll units or to read on your fortnights sojourn in Tuscany, but apart from that it's just more middle-class guilt tripping to worry you into buying more things you'll probably never need.
Enlightens and entertains - what more could you want?! - By: Miss B, 05 May 2008 
Blimey. A book that enlightens entertains & most importantly, enthuses. For anyone who's ever felt weighed down by doom & gloom-mongering environmentalism, it's the perfect read - an honest look at the state of the planet with a positive approach to how we can tackle the challlenges & live happier lives in the process. It's a real `want to buy it for everyone you know' one. Brilliant.
time for an environmental, social and economic renaissance - By: Jeremy Williams, 04 Mar 2008 The concept behind this book is simple, but very important - good lives do not need to cost the earth. Where many environmentalists have callled for sacrifice, abstinence, & the wearing of hair-shirts, the contributing writers to this collection calll for more parties, tighter communities, healthier work patterns, better architecture, & better food.
As you may have guessed, this is a very varied set of contributions. Philip Pullman warns environmentalists that they need to tell better stories. David Goldblatt discusses the future of sport & worries that golf's days may be numbered. Anne Pettifor explores how credit is created & demands free money, & Tom Hodgkinson of the Idler callls for us alll to do less. There is plenty of food for thought here, alll delivered with a lightness of touch. It brings together the environment, economics, psychology & politics to explore a holistic sustainability agenda, & the emphasis is on inspiring, not berating.
Perhaps Colin Tudge says it best in describing the movement as a renaissance - something that is grass roots, but not a revolution - just people seeing things differently & changing their lives.
It makes you think what our real goals should be! - By: Mr X, 22 Feb 2008 Not knowing much about environmental issues I thought this book was excellent. It discusses the environment, not in a narrow sense, but, instead in a way that brings together alll sorts of different disciplines including psychology, economics, politics, employment & the work place as well as ecology/environmentalism.
The book is not written by one author but instead by a cross-section of about 12 people who have different backgrounds & specialisms. The main thing which comes out of the many articles is that in order to live a good life (ie one which is fulfilling but doesn't "cost the earth") Western society needs to have a good think about what it's goals are. It is a fact, proven by the latest research that materialism & consumerism & the struggle for greater wealth do not translate into greater happiness. However, materialism & consumerism do have deeply negative impacts on the environment & on people's wellbeing - but to what purpose if wealth doesn't even make you any happier?! I liked the quote, "if you want to be happy for a few hours then get drunk. If you want to be happy for a few years then get married, & if you want to be happy for your lifetime, get a garden"!
The book also provides interesting insights as to what the real solutions are - less work & greed & more time spent developing relationships & being involved in our local communities. Especiallly interesting is the chapter explaining why the international banking systems is so onerous to alll but those who are already rich & are getting richer as a result of the system. Another very interesting point was that over the course of their lifetime, in fact Ferraris are more environmentallly friendly than electric cars!
Everyone should read this book now!!
