The Moneyless Man - Mark Boyle

When I told a friend that I was reading a book about a man who lived for a year without money her reaction was a common one,

'oh, so he's freeloading off others then'

But he didn't, and as far as I know still doesn't.

I can't say I agree with all Mark Boyle's ideas about society and money, but a lot of what he writes certainly struck a cord with me.  He fully admits that moneyless living wouldn't work if everyone tried it, and that he has to be realistic and deal with the world he lives in now and not some idealised world where everything is freely given.

Nor does he survive much on bartering which he sees as close to being a form of money.

So he was given a caravan to live in on a piece of land given by a local organic farm where he volunteers.  He grows his own food, forages or bin raids, gets what little power he needs for charging his mobile phone (in coming calls only) and laptop (for publicising the project on a blog and running a freeconomy website) from solar panels, uses a wood burner made from old oil tins for cooking (or eats raw food - he's vegan), showers with water from the river, and cycles or hitches everywhere.

The only things he does barter for are food items that can't be grown or found - but that's rare.

The year obviously isn't easy, but it is interesting to read about, to understand his ideas and motives, and to see how he managed.

I finished the book determined to try to use less and recycle more (although I'm sure I do pretty well already).

The book style is very blog like, even though its not set out as such.  Informal and engaging to read but manages to inform at the same time.

At the end he pledges to continue, with all proceeds from the book going into a trust in order to purchase a piece of land to establish a freeconomy community.

I have my doubts it will work, we live in a world so ruled by money, rules and regulations, and I'm afraid I have a rather jaundiced view of the human race (we are probably beyond saving).

The book ends with a list of relevant web addresses, and I've already signed up on facebook to follow his journey onwards, and I really want to go on a foraging course.

Bought with leaving present Amazon gift voucher from Age Concern Stockport.

- 27th September 2010  

Last Chance to See - Douglas Adams and Mark Carwardine

So, for the first book of the year I decided on something reasonably light, but also informative and interesting - not to mention extremely funny (Adams' writing, not the subject matter which is, of course, very serious). I've been meaning to read this book for years but never quite got round to it. I haven't seen the recent BBC programmes by Stephen Fry and Mark Carwardine revisiting some of the species from this book - but it's on my Amazon wishlist now!

The basic premise of the book is that a writer and a zoologist travel around the world visiting very endangered species in order to make a radio programme (for the BBC) and raise the profile of the animals in danger.

Animals such as the giant Komodo dragon of Indonesia, the helpless, flightless kakapo of New Zealand (the descriptions of their mating techniques had me crying with laughter!), the white rhinos of Zaire and the blind river dolphins of the Yangtze River in China (which they never did get to see, and I'm sorry to say now never will).

I've always been a fan of Douglas Adams, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy is one of the few books I've read more than a few times, and The Meaning of Liff is a work of genius. Although the book is obviously about the loss of species across the world, and the fact that humans are to blame for the plight that many find themselves in; this book is more of a travel journal recounting the trials and tribulations met by Douglas Adams and Mark Carrardine as they try to visit the animals.

The book has also certainly met one of it's aims, my interest has been sparked enough to make me go and look for further information on each of the animals featured.

Had in my library for sometime (think it might belong to an ex-boyfriend!)
1st - 7th January 2010

Introducing Environmental Politics - Stephen Croall & William Rankin

I've had this book for years, and I know I've read it before - but I picked it up in between novels and sort of got reading.

Unfortunately it's rather dated, but the ideas and information it puts forward are sound.

Written in 'graphic' form the book introduces the history and ideas behind Environmental Politics, who the main thinkers are (although written before Al Gore, George Monbiot and the more recent political green thinkers), and what might be done about some of the issues.

There doesn't seem to be an updated version available, which is a shame as this is a big, fast moving topic, and certainly an 'Introduction' book for the subject is well worth reading for anyone who gets lost in all the politics, compeating ideas and bad science out there.

But, don't turn to this book - 2000 is too long ago for the information to be of real value now.

Bought in Blackwells March 2003 (the receipt was still inside!)
22-23rd November 2009