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morgan_haybook's review
3.0
I can't say that I can incorporate everything in the book into my house, but I loved how I can easily see which tasks are quick and easy. The book may be worth buying for me so I can fill in the worksheets for myself.
I didn't expect the book to be so easy to read since I know nothing about cars or home construction.
I didn't expect the book to be so easy to read since I know nothing about cars or home construction.
jdkc4d's review
3.0
I would have preferred more of a narritive, but instead I got a book of tips for going green. It is not a bad book, and Ed only endorses a few brands throughout the book. But I wouldn't call this a must read or anything. It's more of just something you might like to read of you have some time to waste.
lastminute's review
3.0
I ended up not finishing this book, since I ran out of time before it was due back at the library. Part of the problem is that I may already be part of the converted; many of the ideas here were not new to me, so it was hard to stay engaged.
librijenne's review
2.0
I loved Ed Begley Jr.'s television show about his lifestyle and have always liked him as an actor. If he had been the only contributor to this book, I might have rated it higher. Unfortunately, someone felt the need to include his wife's reflection on their lifestyle, perhaps to appeal to the ladies? She contributes such insight as "With what we save on the electric bill, I get to buy more shoes!" (p. 24) and a random rant on people who paint their homes canary yellow. The editors helpfully marked her passages in green, to make them easier to skip, but since I'm one of those people who can't help but read words in front of me, her words got in my brain anyway. I stopped reading in the middle of the chapter about alternative transportation, when she rambles on about the one time she rode the bus (it was horrible! She was wearing a skirt! And heels! Clearly Ed has taken his lifestyle too far.) I would have enjoyed this book much more without her input.
heathermassa's review
4.0
Ed (with asides from his wife) tell you about green-ifying your home, your work and your life. Surprising things: Get rid of your lawn, because it is a stinky use of water. Plant a garden, instead, of things that grow well in your climate. Ed's wife, Rachelle, explains her commitment to the enviornment in a more selfish(?) way, such as using organic shampoos and lotions to get rid of all the petroleum and parabens. It was interesting if you're interested in the subject, and you want to know why people consider some things "greener" than others.
wictory's review
5.0
I found Ed Begley Jr.'s guide to green living very accessible to people getting more into this lifestyle. The overall tone of the book was very positive - Ed's enthusiasm for all things eco-friendly is pervasive. He shares his approach to energy saving or recycling, and gives good explanations for the why this each is a useful conservation habit.
I found that I liked the additional voices included in the book, Ed's wife Rachelle chimes in occasionally and "Ed's Green Friends" have sections where they explain the benefits of specific products and practices. I appreciated Rachelle's point of view as someone who is adapting from a life of "regular" consumption to a more environmentally-aware lifestyle. I also liked that Ed left some of the more technical explanations to experts in his "Green Friends" sections. He clearly knows his stuff and has crunched the numbers and has a big-picture mentality when it comes to consumption, but he doesn't sound like a know-it-all, he sounds more like someone passing along helpful hints from their experience.
I jotted down notes about the types of recyclable plastics and found his recylcing sorting guide very useful. I do think that this book is most helpful in Ed's own southern California area, because I took his advice and Googled my area and "hazardous waste" only to find that getting rid of it responsibly is not as easy as Ed makes it sound. Also, ridding my life of e-waste is not going to be convenient or free. Still, he answers a lot of valuable questions and lays out solid reasoning for cutting consumption. Thanks, Ed!
I found that I liked the additional voices included in the book, Ed's wife Rachelle chimes in occasionally and "Ed's Green Friends" have sections where they explain the benefits of specific products and practices. I appreciated Rachelle's point of view as someone who is adapting from a life of "regular" consumption to a more environmentally-aware lifestyle. I also liked that Ed left some of the more technical explanations to experts in his "Green Friends" sections. He clearly knows his stuff and has crunched the numbers and has a big-picture mentality when it comes to consumption, but he doesn't sound like a know-it-all, he sounds more like someone passing along helpful hints from their experience.
I jotted down notes about the types of recyclable plastics and found his recylcing sorting guide very useful. I do think that this book is most helpful in Ed's own southern California area, because I took his advice and Googled my area and "hazardous waste" only to find that getting rid of it responsibly is not as easy as Ed makes it sound. Also, ridding my life of e-waste is not going to be convenient or free. Still, he answers a lot of valuable questions and lays out solid reasoning for cutting consumption. Thanks, Ed!
purlewe's review
4.0
Interesting ideas. some I already do.. some I have been planning to do for awhile. I loved the idea of a household wind turbine.
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