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[(How to be a Better Person )] [Author: Seb Hunter] [Feb-2010]
The hilarious-and occasionally heartwarming-adventures of a volunteering cynic When Seb Hunter accidentally picks up a phone call for a charity fundraiser one day, he faces a moment of reckoning. It isn't so much that he lacks a social conscience, but that he can no longer assuage it by simply eating the odd bar of Fairtrade chocolate. So he decides to sign up with the charity, transform good intention into commitment, and get involved in as many different types of volunteering as possible. From falling out with fellow do-gooders at Oxfam to becoming embroiled in labyrinthine bureaucracy on behalf of a Congolese asylum seeker, from hospital radio and litter picking to working at the local homeless shelter and averting climate change (although not all simultaneously), Hunter sheds blood, sweat, and tears in the name of Good Causes. But can working for no financial reward actually make you a "better person"?
- GenresNonfictionBiography
Paperback
First published April 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 16, 2011
In parts of the book I found Seb too annoying, self-centered, oblivious. The volunteer work, at times, felt less like altruism and more like a stunt, an investment, a task which his book contract would compensate him for.
It was hard for me to believe someone would write so honestly about his own fuckups and shortcomings, but then I'm not a journalist. I was put off whenever he'd complain a volunteer gig hadn't turned into paid work.
However, the half marathon really did make me laugh -- finally, eight hours into an 8.4 hour book.
And the parts afterward were a good nudge off the couch and into the world of volunteering. For all the reasons he outlined. It allows people to try out different things. It helps others. It's more productive than most of the other ways we might choose to kill time.
It was hard for me to believe someone would write so honestly about his own fuckups and shortcomings, but then I'm not a journalist. I was put off whenever he'd complain a volunteer gig hadn't turned into paid work.
However, the half marathon really did make me laugh -- finally, eight hours into an 8.4 hour book.
And the parts afterward were a good nudge off the couch and into the world of volunteering. For all the reasons he outlined. It allows people to try out different things. It helps others. It's more productive than most of the other ways we might choose to kill time.
October 30, 2013
Funny, although sometimes trying too hard, and the author is a bit annoying. A light read. What really blew my mind is some of the things that are run by volunteers. Asylum seekers whose only hope of not being repatriated to their war-torn or torture-happy country is some doofus of a volunteer who has no idea what he's doing? Egads.
August 24, 2012
I enjoyed his style of writing and sense of humour. A brutally-honest person with interesting thoughts.
March 18, 2021
Seb Hunter spends a year devoting himself to charitable works, from working in an Oxfam shop to aiding asylum seekers, from walking the streets picking up litter to running in a marathon. This book is a diary of his years activities, and it makes for a very entertaining read, at times hilarious, at others heart-warming, and frequently though provoking.
It is an honest and frank account, warts and all, and nowhere does Seb come across as self-congratulatory. In the process he raises awareness of a number of issues, be it the practices of charitable organisations or the unreasonable complexities associated the process of seeking asylum.
Does it all make Seb a better person, well you'll have to read the book to find out; but along the way you'll be greatly amused, perhaps occasionally angered at the bureaucracy those in need of help are faced with, and possibly be a better person for it.
It is an honest and frank account, warts and all, and nowhere does Seb come across as self-congratulatory. In the process he raises awareness of a number of issues, be it the practices of charitable organisations or the unreasonable complexities associated the process of seeking asylum.
Does it all make Seb a better person, well you'll have to read the book to find out; but along the way you'll be greatly amused, perhaps occasionally angered at the bureaucracy those in need of help are faced with, and possibly be a better person for it.
February 26, 2024
Loved the overarching concept of doing things to become a better person. It grabbed my attention in an op shop, and starts by Seb volunteering at an op shop!
This book is amusing, and a little sad in places as the reality kicks in. Love the writing styles and documenting of the journey. A quirky read.
This book is amusing, and a little sad in places as the reality kicks in. Love the writing styles and documenting of the journey. A quirky read.
June 25, 2021
Unlikable narrator. Irrelevant story.
How to choose better books.
How to choose better books.
June 2, 2023
This book had me laughing out loud at times.
September 18, 2011
Poor old Seb Hunter. He has been touted on the cover of this book as the next Bill Bryson*1, which is effectively the kiss of death. He is a talented writer and this book is an amiable enough read, although far from perfect.
How To Be A Better Person is the story of how Hunter spent two years doing voluntary work - any voluntary work - to see if the anti-ratrace way of living made him any happier. I won't give away whether it did or not, but his journey is enlightening, depressing, uplifting and funny, usually all at the same time. The idiotic, inefficient inhumanity of our asylum system is shown up especially starkly and shows just how squalid things become when government policy is determined by fear of the Daily Mail's leader page. And while the book is seldom hilarious, it is nearly always amusing*2.
Hunter never quite lets himself go, constantly opting for self-conscious, post-modernist comments about the writing process itself. These do little except give an impression of a lack of confidence, as if he realises that these quips aren't very insightful or funny but he didn't have the courage to leave them out in case the book came up short on humour*3. But his look at the strange, obsessive people who get up and do something for the community for no money is full of revealing and thought-provoking insight. These people might be doing something close to saintly, but they are gripped by conflicting motivations and unsaintly obsessions bordering in some cases on mania.
This is a fun, easy read but with some serious points to make; guardedly recommended despite its flaws.
*1 Albeit by his publisher rather than anyone whose opinion actually matters
*2 Although it's also irritating at times, especially with the plague of footnotes
*3 Many of these asides are expressed in footnotes, which occur on almost every page. Annoying, aren't they?
How To Be A Better Person is the story of how Hunter spent two years doing voluntary work - any voluntary work - to see if the anti-ratrace way of living made him any happier. I won't give away whether it did or not, but his journey is enlightening, depressing, uplifting and funny, usually all at the same time. The idiotic, inefficient inhumanity of our asylum system is shown up especially starkly and shows just how squalid things become when government policy is determined by fear of the Daily Mail's leader page. And while the book is seldom hilarious, it is nearly always amusing*2.
Hunter never quite lets himself go, constantly opting for self-conscious, post-modernist comments about the writing process itself. These do little except give an impression of a lack of confidence, as if he realises that these quips aren't very insightful or funny but he didn't have the courage to leave them out in case the book came up short on humour*3. But his look at the strange, obsessive people who get up and do something for the community for no money is full of revealing and thought-provoking insight. These people might be doing something close to saintly, but they are gripped by conflicting motivations and unsaintly obsessions bordering in some cases on mania.
This is a fun, easy read but with some serious points to make; guardedly recommended despite its flaws.
*1 Albeit by his publisher rather than anyone whose opinion actually matters
*2 Although it's also irritating at times, especially with the plague of footnotes
*3 Many of these asides are expressed in footnotes, which occur on almost every page. Annoying, aren't they?
December 31, 2021
Assume the best about others.
Be your own competition.
Practice paying attention.
See the many shades of gray.
Refuse to complain.
Improve what you can.
Smile more.
Be cool with the itch.
Learn the secret of letting go.
Heal your broken record.
Trust your gut.
Make peace with things that irritate you.
Recognize when it's you you're mad at.
Start your day right.
Interact with nature.
Ask before you offer advice.
Give one compliment a day.
Admit what you don't know.
Recognize that everyone is on their own path.
Don't be a snowplow.
Speak up when you see injustice.
Say thank you more.
Leave love notes in public places.
Start the group that you are longing for.
When you can't do a lot, do a little.
Think about the ripples.
Tie the things you want to do with the things you already do.
Be stubborn about your ends but be flexible about your means.
Talk to your colleague before you talk to their boss.
Ask dumb questions.
Think about how you present yourself.
Tell them about the spinach.
Turn off the internet each night.
Put those dusty dumbbells to good use.
Think about who will be cleaning out your house.
Be your own competition.
Practice paying attention.
See the many shades of gray.
Refuse to complain.
Improve what you can.
Smile more.
Be cool with the itch.
Learn the secret of letting go.
Heal your broken record.
Trust your gut.
Make peace with things that irritate you.
Recognize when it's you you're mad at.
Start your day right.
Interact with nature.
Ask before you offer advice.
Give one compliment a day.
Admit what you don't know.
Recognize that everyone is on their own path.
Don't be a snowplow.
Speak up when you see injustice.
Say thank you more.
Leave love notes in public places.
Start the group that you are longing for.
When you can't do a lot, do a little.
Think about the ripples.
Tie the things you want to do with the things you already do.
Be stubborn about your ends but be flexible about your means.
Talk to your colleague before you talk to their boss.
Ask dumb questions.
Think about how you present yourself.
Tell them about the spinach.
Turn off the internet each night.
Put those dusty dumbbells to good use.
Think about who will be cleaning out your house.
January 29, 2016
I enjoyed it, even the footnotes.
Seb volunteers for many things, some slightly ridiculous and others pretty scary. His experiences show how often the most vulnerable in society are left in the care of well meaning but chronically inexperienced people.
Seb volunteers for many things, some slightly ridiculous and others pretty scary. His experiences show how often the most vulnerable in society are left in the care of well meaning but chronically inexperienced people.
August 26, 2010
hehe. very fun. on a bookring so have memoed the person who it is to be sent to next.
May 4, 2011
Hilarious - especially when he runs the half-marathon.
June 18, 2013
On the beggining it was funny, but after a while I found it really boring.
This was an attempt of finding a good comedy book and Kindle had it as the offer of the day... Not a good one, I'm afraid...
This was an attempt of finding a good comedy book and Kindle had it as the offer of the day... Not a good one, I'm afraid...
September 17, 2012
I had some laughs at his adventures (particularly the half marathon part) and it does give you something to think about...
July 28, 2013
Var ikke så morsom som jeg trodde, gav opp på side 66.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews