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Liked It “Fantastic read! |
Didn’t Like It “This is not what I expected. It was in the Sociology section of my library but was really more of a memoir. A good memoir, with warm feelings and decent writing, but not what the jacket or prologue indicated. I was most interested in the gritty details of the farming, cleaning, cooking, canning,...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
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“So far so good. Writing isn't the best, but it's interesting enough to keep me thinking about it throughout the day. Would we really be A LOT better off if we were less dependent on technology? I'm leaning towards a "yes" on that one.”
Michele B wrote this review Wednesday, September 2 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Fantastic read!
trina wrote this review Wednesday, August 26 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I learned a huge amount about the Amish and Mennonite & increased my vocabulary tremendously.”“Loved where it was going, but read a little like a foggy memory, which it was; written several years after the experience. Not very specific or instructive, but had enough memorable experiences to make it worth the read. Still gave me lots of ideas and some new information. ”
Melissa B wrote this review Sunday, August 23 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I enjoyed this book and it brought us a lot of questions about how we live our daily lives. I think that I could possible to do this or at least adopt some of the ideas. My favorite part was that he grew pumpkins for a living and everyone knows that would be my dream job :) The only thing that I didn't pay that much attention to was the religion. Not my favorite topic but I believe anyone from any faith or religion could do this or without the presence of god at all. Check it out...makes you feel a little guilty when all the lights are on and the tv is blaring while you sit with your laptop. Crap...thats me gotta go.”
Jenny Who wrote this review Sunday, July 5 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This is such an interesting read. As someone who loves technology for technology's sake, it really makes you question if you're better off than you would be otherwise. In my opinion, the P.S. section of the book (at the end) gets a little "preachy" but otherwise this book is top notch.”
Mitch C wrote this review Tuesday, June 23 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Some parts really made me want to turn off the lights and get back to basics, but a lot of it read like a thesis with too many big words. It's an interesting concept and really makes you think about things beyond technology.”
Sarah S wrote this review Friday, May 22 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This is a fun quirky book. Newleyweds Eric and Mary Brende conduct an experiment of living 18 months in a "Minimite" community. I expected to skim this one but was quickly drawn in. I like Eric's style, his way of looking at things. He and Mary are Catholic and remain so, but they appreciate the beauty of the faith in this community. They learn to fit in without loosing who they are. Eric's description of Steubenville, Ohio (which he visits in hopes of resettling there) on pages 76-77 gave both Marc and me a chuckle. This is a fun read, a good look at life and lifestyles. I could never take things as far as Eric and Mary did and have continued to do, but I do appreciate the message that we need to think about technology and our use of it instead of slavishly embracing it. As for us, scaling back, driving two beaters, home schooling, and living in a co-op are the sweet spot. And that is his point. It is not that we all must eschew cars and only eat what we grow, but that we should think about our lifestyle and find what serves us instead of us serving our lifestyle.”
Shannon C wrote this review Saturday, April 25 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“This is not what I expected. It was in the Sociology section of my library but was really more of a memoir. A good memoir, with warm feelings and decent writing, but not what the jacket or prologue indicated. I was most interested in the gritty details of the farming, cleaning, cooking, canning, slaughtering, traveling, etc... required to live without technology and which pieces of equipment he found most necessary. Some of those things were touched upon (barely), but it was mostly his personal jouney from a city and job he hated to a style of life he savored. There was a good deal of his encounters with the members of the quasi-Amish "Minimite" community as well, which must be how it ended up in the Sociology section.”
anarresa wrote this review Tuesday, February 24 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I just can't resist clever titles. This book is about one man's journey (and his wife) living without technology. This book falls nicely into all the other environmental books I have delved into lately. ~Judy”
Colorado Library Consortium (CLiC) wrote this review Tuesday, July 1 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Rather than attempting to convince us of the evils of technology, Brende takes care to instead illustrate what's been lost along the way. From the natural rhythm of life to the physical satisfaction of doing 'real work', he makes the case that the time-saving devices of modern technology rarely save time and often cost much more.
Brady W wrote this review Friday, May 9 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Living for a year among the “Minimites”, the author highlights the social, emotional and even productive sacrifices we have made in lieu of blind 'technological progress'. A worthwhile read that makes a strong case for the benefits of a simpler life.”
