Product Description

This new issue of "The Idler" explores childhood and wonders whether today's kids are suffering from too much education, too many activities and too much interfering. "Childish Things" features Bertrand Russell's essay on education and freedom, an attack on professionalism, a visit to Summerhill School, where lessons are optional, and a guide to childcare for the lazy by editor Tom Hodgkinson. There's an interview with Michael Palin, a man who has gone with the flow to great acclaim. You'll also find Nicholas Lezard on Samuel Beckett, John Michel on William Cobbett, new short stories, and biting satire and humour from Gwyn, Ian Vince, Adam Buxton, Tony Husband, Chris Donald and "The Idler's" own agony uncles, Bill Drummond and Mark Manning. And the ejected bass player from The Darkness writes from his French chateau. All this as well as tips for living the good life and full colour illustrations and photography throughout.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #230365 in Books
• Published on: 2006-05-04
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Review
"* 'Britain's coolest magazine' - Alex James, Blur * 'Uniquely engaging... devoted to idleness in all its forms... surprisingly energetic in its sagaclous coverage of trends and trendiness... Packed with ideas.' - Time Out * 'The thinking person's Loaded' - Select * 'Full of good things... genuinely radical, irreverent and iconoclastic' - the Rt Hon Alan Clark * 'I'd read it even if I didn't write for it' - Louis Theroux"

From the Publisher
The Magazine For Those Who Love To Loaf

From the Back Cover
THE IDLER IS A MAGAZINE THAT CELEBRATES FREEDOM, FUN AND THE
FINE ART OF DOING NOTHING.

READ IT NOW AND TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE.

ISSUE 39: LIE BACK AND PROTEST

We are all agreed that there's a lot to complain about in contemporary
society. Boredom, exploitation, an explosion of legislation and
interference with our everyday freedoms: central government and big
business seem to make life more difficult with each month that passes.

But do we really need to take to the streets to protest? Or would a more
effective form of resistance be to take to our beds and quietly recreate
our own lives? In this issue of the Idler, we reflect and philosophise on
the notion of protest.

CORINNE MAIER interviews three French filmmakers making anti-work movies;
we meet the brilliant history professor RONALD HUTTON. JAY GRIFFITHS writes
on missionaries; JOHN NICHOLSON celebrates paradise; we ask whether there's
any point in going to university and PENNY RIMBAUD reveals the meaning of
life. Plus articles on the practical side of idling with advice on
treehouse-building and beer-brewing.

Customer Reviews

A fine and funny magazine
'The idler' is touted as a magazine, although in size it is more of a book. Published twice a year, it is a collection of sketches, articles, reviews and stories, with laziness as a general theme.

This issue features interviews with Patrick Moore (by Alex James) and Bill Odiie (by Louis Theroux) along with sketches by Adam and Joe and stories by Zodiac Mindwarp (aka Mark Manning).

It really is one of the funniest and most entertaining magazines I have ever read and has caused me no end of strange looks on the tube as I sniggered away to myself. The combination of genuine wit and genius writing is unlikely to be found anywhere else and I can heartily recommend it to anyone.

It's Granta for slackers
I bought this quite by accident in Borders the other week. It's structured like a magazine, with lots of funny bits in the front section, with more substantial interviews and articles in the middle - it's theme is Man's Ruin, with lots of (perhaps too much) articles examining boozing including an incredibly moving account of a father and son who were involved in the temperance movement. The writers list reads like a a who's who of the british underground (Adam and Joe, Louis Theroux, Will Self, Bill Drummond, Tony White, Matthew De Abaitua) and its good to see them all gathered in one place.

Although the boozing stuff wears a bit thin, that's always been kind of the point with the Idler - it's self-indulgent in a world where everything else feels restrained by fears of what the public might or might not like. it's excessive, goes far too far, and is a force for good. if they had a proper publisher, they'd be dangerous

Fab!! Brill!!
Excellent reading ....ah too busy idling and reading this inspiring work of brilliance to say any more......