A Handmade Life: In Search of Simplicity

A life of simplicity is appealing to me and this book is filled with simple lifestyle wisdom. However, please, for the sake of humanity, do not take the author seriously when he seems to suggest we need to design a society of simple living. I can’t imagine a more horrifying society than forcing my neighbors, by the hand of the State, to live a lifestyle that I personally find appealing. There are inconsistencies in the book such as the ridiculousness of compulsory education, but the author hints at favoring State coercion to invoke his ideal society. One may think the author is merely attempting to encourage people to voluntarily take on this lifestyle, but one example, and there are others, is that he spends a good deal of time writing on the virtues of radical wealth redistribution. Is this going to happen without State intervention? I don’t think so... However, if the simple lifestyle is interesting to you personally, then I believe you will find this book helpful. Just don’t force it on your neighbor.

I'm not much of a reader. It is a rare book that grabs my attention and makes me reevaluate the way I spend my time and effort, but this book was able to do that. It might have been a bit of preaching to the choir, as I also really enjoyed the Nearing books, but I think the author was able to articulate things in a way that was easy to digest and able to provoke thought, and is concise enough for anyone to pickup and read.I probably won't go out and immediately change everything I do, but it has helped shape my view of the world; I can't think of a better endorsement.I first bought the book for Kindle for my own reading, but enjoyed it so much I also purchased the paper version so I could lend the book to like-minded friends.

This book is beautiful. It is well-written, and the author put a lot of careful thought into his work.This book has much to say about simplicity and wanting less and getting more for the effort. This is one of those books that everyone should read. Especially all of us who live in industrialized nations and take simple skills and ways for granted.This book makes you realize that sometimes buying things costs more than you bargain for and you may just be better off doing some things for yourself.I also like the analogy of working a job you hate just for money as prostitution.

This book is a true work of art. Take your time with it. I've read it three times now and it always reminds me why i'm alive. Thank you Bill for living such a pure and noble life and sharing it with us!

Quote from the book "The parts of the puzzle are all present, finding how to put them together is a great challenge"I use this quote to express that this book does not teach you anything that you don't already know... these ideas have been around for a very long time, but it is such an immense pleasure to read the completed puzzle.Good on you Coperthwaite, you changed my life.

As advertized. Thanks!

Simplicity and common sense are in short commodity. Take some time to read this book, and then take a few minutes to find just one thing you can do to make your life a bit simpler, and much more rewarding.

I have to say I was disappointed in this book. I bought the Kindle version and within an hour I deleated it. I guess its my own fault for expecting from only the title that it would show the authors simple life. As I was scanning through the book, all I really saw was the philosophical aspects. I was hoping for a more practical approach. I have the dream,already. I was looking for his experiances say in purchasing land, raising food and how he actually lives the simple live. Pictures of things he made, etc. If you are looking for advice on how to live simply, look else where. If you need to find out the reasons to do so, this may be for you.

This is a man who has lived his life in service of those around him. He walks his talk and is a real inspriation. Well worth reading to show us all that there are alternative ways to live a fuller and more rewarding life

More of a philosophical treatise than a practical guide.However, I enjoyed it non the less. Just wish I was in a position to put the ideas into practice.

Amazing book: inspiring, thoughtprovoking, beautiful pictures. Like all Chelsea Green publishings: highly recommendable! Buy this yourself and you will not be disappointed.

lot of money for such a small book

This is Mr Coperthwaites philosophy on life and handmade objects rather than any kind of a craft instruction book. It is an engaging read, I had hoped for some more craft detail, which there wasn't a lot of, but nonetheless an interesting, thought (and hopefully action!) provoking and beautifully produced book. If you are interested in alternative lifestyles, craft as opposed to mass production and appreciation of your fellow humans on this journey then this is the book for you.