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jesslolsen's review
4.0
This was such an intriguing book and it gave me lots of interesting points to think about, many of those I will try and implement in my every day life (although maybe not as extreme as Suelo).
I found Sundeen's way of presenting this story factual and not overdramatised, but very thoroughly researched, so I felt I was getting the full story.
What a fascinating life - I would love to meet Suelo one day. If only everyone could read this book and see how many little changes could make an overall difference our world might stand a better chance for future generations.
I found Sundeen's way of presenting this story factual and not overdramatised, but very thoroughly researched, so I felt I was getting the full story.
What a fascinating life - I would love to meet Suelo one day. If only everyone could read this book and see how many little changes could make an overall difference our world might stand a better chance for future generations.
duparker's review
3.0
I am not sure if this is a three or two and a half star book. I completed it, and I was intrigued by it, but I didn't like it that much. It was overly rambling at times and was not disciplined in its approach. That said, I did find the concept and the topic interesting and I did want to know where the story went.
matthewwester's review
4.0
3.5 stars, interesting read. This book covers the time period that Daniel Suelo lives without any money but it also covers the circumstances that led to such a radical decision. Most readers will stop agreeing with Daniel at some point because he does take his philosophy to an extreme but that doesn't change how interesting it is to read about such a unique lifestyle and person. I'm probably like most readers -- there's a small, tiny part of me that desires to simplify and do something radical like this. I'm guessing most of us feel that pull to down throttle the waste and debts a little bit... yet at the end of the day it's easier to go with the flow then to cut away. Anyway, interesting to ponder.
I'm counting this as "a book about money or finance" for #vtReadingChallenge
I'm counting this as "a book about money or finance" for #vtReadingChallenge
bear_dog's review
2.0
This book dragged for me; but I really loved the last two chapters. (I loved the authors description of the plastic bag dilemma and the free food movement.) I liked some of the ideas this book introduced, and I liked learning about this quirky person and why they chose this life. It wasn’t great but it was memorable.
melissa_427's review
4.0
I will continue to think about this book for a few more weeks, months, years, etc.
The concept is fascinating. The spirituality behind it is fascinating. The lifestyle is fascinating.
And all additionally insightful.
Perhaps there is no better time to read such a tale of human life than when one is at their own crossroads, a point of making decisions which will either reflect perfectly or imperfectly on the truths one claims to hold.
A few passages:
"The people who had the least were the most willing to share. He outlined a dictum that he would believe the rest of his life: the more people have, the less they give. Similarly, generous cultures produce less waste because excess is shared, whereas stingy nations fill their landfills with leftovers." (pg. 44)
"All this work, work, work and obligation we think is so righteous is really evil, destructive," Suelo concludes. "The more I read the Sermon on the Mount, the more I see it is instructions for releasing ourselves from the Money System - the System of Debt and Obligation." (pg. 198)
"Maybe the process of trying to change the world is as valuable as actually attaining that change. Because what's gained is a renewed sense of community, of knowing your neighbor. And ultimately, building community may solve problems like excessive consumption that results from America's extreme version of individuality." (pg. 240).
"When I was a kid I thought I'd be a missionary to the heathens, but now I think maybe it's okay to be a missionary, but to the Christians, because they're the ones who need it, because they don't believe their own religion." (pg. 253)
The concept is fascinating. The spirituality behind it is fascinating. The lifestyle is fascinating.
And all additionally insightful.
Perhaps there is no better time to read such a tale of human life than when one is at their own crossroads, a point of making decisions which will either reflect perfectly or imperfectly on the truths one claims to hold.
A few passages:
"The people who had the least were the most willing to share. He outlined a dictum that he would believe the rest of his life: the more people have, the less they give. Similarly, generous cultures produce less waste because excess is shared, whereas stingy nations fill their landfills with leftovers." (pg. 44)
"All this work, work, work and obligation we think is so righteous is really evil, destructive," Suelo concludes. "The more I read the Sermon on the Mount, the more I see it is instructions for releasing ourselves from the Money System - the System of Debt and Obligation." (pg. 198)
"Maybe the process of trying to change the world is as valuable as actually attaining that change. Because what's gained is a renewed sense of community, of knowing your neighbor. And ultimately, building community may solve problems like excessive consumption that results from America's extreme version of individuality." (pg. 240).
"When I was a kid I thought I'd be a missionary to the heathens, but now I think maybe it's okay to be a missionary, but to the Christians, because they're the ones who need it, because they don't believe their own religion." (pg. 253)
mschlat's review
4.0
It's about 60% a biography of Daniel Suelo (the man in question) and 40% about how he lives now in Moab, Utah. Starting out, I was more interested in the specifics of living money-free, but Sundeen does a great job of telling the story of Suelo's spiritual journey.
k8iedid's review
3.0
Super interesting to read about Suelo's motivation, personal beliefs and commitment to living a very non-traditional life. Great read.
misssusan's review
4.0
truly fascinating memoir about daniel suelo, a former fundamentalist christian who decided to opt out of the use of money; neither accepting it nor spending it. spends a lot of time on his background and the philosophy that inspired his decision. i found the discussion of religion most interesting because i've also thought about how hard it is to truly live a life in line with belief in the temporal nature of this world and reliance on god most faiths teach (my own perspective is islamic but it's really quite close to his, some of the stories he mentioned i recognized from my own upbringing)
4 stars
4 stars