The Importance of Being Idle: A Little Book of Lazy Inspiration (Paperback)

by Stephen Robins (Author)
Key Phrases: The Importance of Being Idle, The Greeks, Lord Goring (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"the majority of Englishmen and Americans have no life but in their work." John Stuart Mill; "the time that a man may call his own, that is his life." Charles Lamb "Thank heavens the sun has gone in, and I don't have to go out and enjoy it." Logan Pearsall Smith; "Lying in bed would be an altogether perfect experience if only one had a coloured pencil long enough to draw on the ceiling" G K Chesterton

Product Description
An idler’s manifesto, with contributions from Aristotle, Thoreau, Twain, Wilde, Pynchon, Thurber, and many more.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 226 pages
• Publisher: Prion (October 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1853754382
• ISBN-13: 978-1853754388
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,218,804 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gem, March 4, 2002

By	Blue-Rat "BR" (United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

Full of quotes by people like Mark Twain, Bertrand Russell, Charles Dickens and Samuel Johnson (who particularly liked to loaf, it seems), this book will eliminate any guilt about being lazy or wasting time, actually revealing idleness as the source of civilisation and inspiration.

It isn't all quotes, there are potted histories of famous loafers and amusing illustrations throughout. A real gem to curl up with in bed or your favourite armchair.

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly a remarkable book!!, March 23, 2009

By	William R. Jeffries V "Mr. Jeffries" (Fayetteville, AR USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book has totally soothed all resistance to stress in my life. Because of the beautiful vision this author had, millions of us may now relax in the fact that can be lazy - just for lazy's sake. I would love to see this author produce another "Importance of Being Idle" volume two - which would consist of modern day quotes from famous as well as anonymous people - sharing their visions of leisure and laziness. A book like that would definitely be welcome in my home. Thank you so much for inspiring us all to slow down, relax - stop and smell the roses....

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book We Can All Learn From, September 14, 2005

By	Steve A. Hall Jr. "important idler" (Sonoma, California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The Importance of Being Idle has the type of wisdom our generation can learn from. And they have. Noel Gallagher penned a song by the same name that went #1 in the U.K. during August of 2005, showing that not only are there a lot of Oasis fans, but a lot of people who can relate to the words. Noel's song was based on the book, which he no doubt read and appreciated as well. "I'll be fine as long as there's a bed beneath the stars that shine."