Customer Reviews

Whole Green Catalog: 1000 Best Things for You and the Earth

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4 star:		(2)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

First, full disclosure: I wrote the money chapter for WGC, but given it is only one of 20 or a mere 5%,I feel like I can comment at least semi-objectively as to the merits of the Whole Green Catalog. As a veteran, well informed environmentalist (I published and edited an environmental journal for 15 years) I didn't expect to learn anything new, but I did. After my copy arrived, I figured I'd look over my chapter, quickly browse a few others, and show my wife what a great job they did with layout and design. Many hours later, however, I was still reading, telling myself, just a few more pages. But I kept going. Admittedly, I did skim a few chapters and didn't read every entry in even my favorite chapters, but this is a book that is meant to be browsed. And browse and browse I did. Sometime around midnight, I put it down to check out more later, surprised to find out I'd learn new tips and insights, easily making my reading time worth while. For anyone with less exposure to environmental info, you're likely to find an abundance of tips that will be helpful and fun to read.

Here's a book that is extremely useful, helps you protect the planet, and a great read. I found myself laughing between the lines, then saying to myself "Who knew?" So much of the technology reported herein had passed me by. Why can't they invent a manual cell phone charger that you keep in your pocket so you don't have to run around looking for a car or a socket? Well, they have; and its here. Why can't they invent a pocket tape recorder that doesn't require bulky, delicate tapes? Well, they have; and it's here. Why buy birdseed when you can plant it? Find out how here. All kinds of great Christmas presents herein, none better than this book itself.

--Ted Williams, Grafton, MA

In the Whole Green Catalog, Michael Robbins and Wendy Palitz, the editorial/design team behind Brooklyn: a State of Mind, have turned their attention to the eco-friendly movement. Robbins, a former Editor-in-Chief of Audubon Magazine and a journalist specializing in environmental issues, has assembled a distinguished panel of writers associated with all things green to suggest easy ways we can all make our everyday lives more environmentally sound. Much of the credit for the book's overall sense of fun must also go to Palitz, a New York-based art director, who has summoned a clean, retro style that makes the volume particularly welcoming to people like me who are intimidated by the prospect of refashioning their lives to be more in lockstep with the natural world. Loosely based on the iconic Whole Earth Catalog of the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Whole Green Catalog employs short chapters, hundreds of photos and illustrations, and a breezy writing style that make this perfect reading for the coffee table, the bedside table, or, do I dare say, the bathroom--recyclable toilet paper not provided, of course.

Poet and environmental sage Gary Snyder said that finding a way to live without regret is difficult but essential to a joyful life. The Whole Green Catalog is a guide for trying to do just that at home, on the road, and at the market. Editor Michael Robbins and his collaborators have done a great job of assembling almost 400 pages of photographs and information on housekeeping, eating well, energy consumption, gardening, traveling, and dozens of other everyday moments of decision about what our presence is doing to the places we live. I'll be reading it in amusing, useful doses for years.

Most good people want to do whatever they can to help the environment, but feel helpless faced with the enormity of global warming, the pollution of the rivers and oceans and air, and other current problems. This book lists ways we can all help. By describing services and products that are better choices we can all make, the book makes it possible for ordinary consumers to live by the courage of their convictions.

Patricia Curtis

This was the prefect gift especially for a college student engaged in the environmental movement and just starting out purchasing and setting up their household.

This book has loads of information, some more useful
than others. I can appreciate the amount of research time, and effort, that has been put into creating it. The intentions to help the
planet and smarten up people are a very worthwhile cause.

The Whole Green Catalogue is a great read! Can't believe Aloe vera - the best green plant ever - wasn't even mentioned! Oh well - nothing's perfect! I like the way they suggest products but leave the choice up to you.

Very good information. I just wish I knew where to buy some of the things withouthaving to email the company or hunt myself. I have checked off the ones I want to look at. Still pretty expensive for most items but good info. PM

Excellent, informative publication about how we can all cut back on waste to help save our planet. No one is going to do it for us!