Product Description

How often in life does convenience triumph over doing the right thing? And what is 'ethical living' anyway? When it comes down to it, most people fight shy of giving up their cars, or their toxic household products, their cheap washing machines, or dodgy, unethical bank accounts in order to make the world a better place. So Leo Hickman, resident consumer expert of the Guardian, decided to give it a try. Over the course of a year, he and his family set out to discover whether it was possible to live a 'normal life' - job, mortgage, kids, holidays - while at the same time making each daily choice or decision an 'ethical' one - for the family, their neighbours and the environment. This is the story of that year, a record or an extraordinary transformation. Amid the pitfalls and confusion, Leo's account is funny, inspirational and a mine of information for the curious.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #232213 in Books
• Published on: 2006-01-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 289 pages

Review
'Not a preachy guide but the diary of a struggle - through the myriad uses of bicarbonate of soda; instructions for assembling a wormery and a visit from three ethical auditors... There are plenty of facts and a selection of helpful letters - like the inspiring one from a woman who crochets her own dishcloths..' - Carol McDaid, Observer"

Independent on Sunday, January 8, 2006
The tone is just right for this book's target market..there is much that is inspiring here.

Glasgow Herald
In this witty account of his year, Hickman discusses matters that are of importance to us all

Customer Reviews

Educational and Amusing Guide to Living Green
I'd enjoyed reading Leo Hickman's columns in the Guardian on his attempts to live a more ethical, environmentally-friendly life, and I was pleased to be able to read more about the changes he made to his life as a response to an"ethical audit".

There are plenty of books out there that will tell you how to live your life the environmental/green/ethical/sustainable way, but this book has a real advantage over all of them - it doesn't just tell you what to do, but shows the impact that the changes have on your life. Leo writes honestly and amusingly about the effect of using washable nappies, getting fruit and veg delivered by an organic box scheme, taking a holiday in Europe by train instead of plane, having a wormery, going for a week without TV or radio, and how it feels when the ethical auditors criticise almost every aspect of your life. It's also interesting to read some of the letters he received while writing the newspaper articles, and the effect they had on his ethical "journey".

The book also mentions how these things had an effect on his family, particularly the times his wife was less enthusiastic about the changes - I think I would have liked to find out a bit more about things from her point of view.

I've found myself considering many of the things he mentions in the book, especially "food miles" in supermarkets while buying fruit and veg, and the book has inspired me to try to make some changes to my lifestyle. A good read for anyone who wants to consider their life and their impact on the world around them.

Compulsive, amusing reading!
For all would be environmentalists living in the city or suburbia this book is a must! Leo Hickman writes with generous and amusing style, slightly tongue in cheek at times giving the reader the sense that he does indeed have his feet firmly on the ground! With his wife Jane he tackles tough issues about how they and their daughter Esme live in a society where being ethical and environmentally conscious at all times is virtually impossible! I thought he was quite good anyway, not having a car and eating healthily,but after the arrival of their three auditors their lives are turned upside down after being bombarded with sometimes impossible-to-live-by ethical values! However many of the suggestions in his book are easy to put into practice and gives one the hope that even by doing a little, it makes a difference. It's thought-provoking and fun to read. I've been enjoying reading it and thinking about it all week!

A very enjoyable and suprisingly easy read!
I have to admit I was already very interested in living a 'more sustainable life' before I read this book so I knew of quite a few of the issues highlighted very amusingly in this book. However my wife hadn't really taken any interest before I pursueded her to read this book and now she's really interested too, which is great for me! I think the reason the book had an effect on my wife, where my previous attempts had failed, was because it's written in a very readable and amusing style and doesn't put you under any pressure because Leo Hickman isn't saying you must do everything suggested, in fact he compromises all the time. It shows how to do your bit without having to change your life too much.