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The Circle of Simplicity: Return to the Good Life
For a growing number of people, simplicity has been a path to experience the joy in life, to cherish its richness and vitality.It strips away the burdens of our daily lives so that we are left with exhilaration, spirit and fullness. These people are finding that less -- less work, less rushing, less debt -- is more -- more time with family and friends, more time with community, more time with nature, and more time to develop a meaningful and compelling spirituality.In "The Circle of Simplicity: Return to the Good Life, " author Cecile Andrews helps you discover and create the good life for yourself. She is renowned for her workshops on voluntary simplicity and her seminars on creating simplicity circles, where people explore their own life stories and share information and knowledge, helping one another develop lives of simplicity and satisfaction. The circles do not only give people the tools to change, but they also fill unmet needs for community and intimacy and the desire to search for truth in the company of kindred spirits.
288 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
March 29, 2009
The author has the absolute best intentions, but her execution was severely lacking. She relies too heavily anecdotes instead of facts/data, and (as we all do) mistakes her personal experience for universal truth. The book is also wrought with logical fallacies, which doesn't do much to bolster her worthwhile arguments.
My primary problem is that she romanticizes and therefore dehumanizes low-income communities of color. She stereotypes poor people and Native Americans in a way only white, middle-class folks can do, and it is absolutely maddening. Although it's far more well-intentioned than a Klan member's bucket of stereotypes, it's equally ludicrous.
I would recommend this book to people completely new to the concepts of frugality and simple living who often find themselves horrifying their more aware peers by saying things like, “Mixed race babies are so cute.” Basically, folks who mean well but just don’t get it.
My primary problem is that she romanticizes and therefore dehumanizes low-income communities of color. She stereotypes poor people and Native Americans in a way only white, middle-class folks can do, and it is absolutely maddening. Although it's far more well-intentioned than a Klan member's bucket of stereotypes, it's equally ludicrous.
I would recommend this book to people completely new to the concepts of frugality and simple living who often find themselves horrifying their more aware peers by saying things like, “Mixed race babies are so cute.” Basically, folks who mean well but just don’t get it.
October 10, 2007
I liked this angle on the voluntary simplicity movement. Most books about voluntary simplicity focus on scaling back financially, but this has greater emphasis on slowing down, reclaiming your time, and re-connecting with people.
June 24, 2023
Andrews offers a compelling argument for simplicity as a guiding life philosophy. Being more authentic and forming stronger relationships, living mindfully, supporting democratic participation, connecting with nature - all are vital. I found the chapter "What's Wrong with Wealth" especially interesting and thought-provoking.
April 27, 2024
The TL;DR version: simplify your calendar (how you spend time), your finances (where you spend money and how much), your stuff (especially clothes!), the people you invest in emotionally, and the amount of work/number of projects you take on.
The rest of the book gets into a lot of political rants that, yes, have connections to simplicity, but are largely beyond the realm of an individual or even a small group to impact.
The most interesting part was the pedagogical understanding of "Circles" taken from their origin in Sweden; pages 207 through the end.
The rest of the book gets into a lot of political rants that, yes, have connections to simplicity, but are largely beyond the realm of an individual or even a small group to impact.
The most interesting part was the pedagogical understanding of "Circles" taken from their origin in Sweden; pages 207 through the end.
January 6, 2008
This was recommended. I enjoyed it but it was not life changing as it was to my acquaintance. However, it made some valid points and I made some changes because of it. It focuses on "voluntary simplicity" which is living consciously and being true to yourself and living with more awareness.
I would recommend it.
I would recommend it.
February 24, 2008
this is the best "how to" and philosophy behind the real simplicity movement--not the Oprah-fied movement. The real one. I highly recommend it.
January 27, 2023
"Simplicity means different things to different people. It can be . . .
" 'To remove the clutter from my life and hold on to what's important.'
" 'To let go of commitments that are not fulfilling to me, things that drain instead of give me energy.'
" 'More time for reflection, more time to be human.'
" 'To live authentically -- live my values, speak my truths, express my inner self.'
" 'To want want I have, to feel grateful and content.'
" 'To follow my passion.'
"For a growing number of people, simplicity has been the path that has led them to experience the joy in life, to cherish its richness and vitality. It is a stripping away of the burdens of our daily lives so that we are left with exhilaration, spirit, and fullness. These people are finding that less -- less work, less rushing, less debt -- is more -- more time with family and friends, more time with community, more time with nature, and more time to develop a meaningful and compelling spirituality.
In The circle of Simplicity: Return to the Good Life, author Cecile Andrews helps you discover and create the good life for yourself. She is renowned for her workshops on voluntary simplicity and her seminars on creating simplicity circles, where people explore their own life stories and share information and knowledge, helping one another develop lives of simplicity and satisfaction. The circles not only give people the tools to change, but they also fill the unmet need for community, intimacy, and the desire to search for truth in the company of kindred spirits.
"And a kindred spirit is what this book will become. Full of keen observations and practical wisdom, it will make you pause, think, and grow. In the end, simplicity is whatever you want it to be. Each of us takes a different path to the same goal: a life worth living."
~~front & back flaps
If I'd been "grading" books the first time I read this book, it probably would have gotten 5 stars. But now, over 10 years later, I've had the time incorporate a lot of these ideas into my life; I went to an initial meeting of a proposed simplicity circle, but there were only 2 other people and it didn't "take." I've retired, so obviously I have more time, less rushing, less debt; more time with more time with nature, and more time to develop a meaningful and compelling spirituality.
So it wasn't the great rush of a new and compelling concept. It was more of a revisitation, and a chance to realize "oh, I do that now" about so many of the ideas. I certainly recommend the book if you aren't familiar with the idea of voluntary simplicity. If you are, what the book has to say may be old hat.
" 'To remove the clutter from my life and hold on to what's important.'
" 'To let go of commitments that are not fulfilling to me, things that drain instead of give me energy.'
" 'More time for reflection, more time to be human.'
" 'To live authentically -- live my values, speak my truths, express my inner self.'
" 'To want want I have, to feel grateful and content.'
" 'To follow my passion.'
"For a growing number of people, simplicity has been the path that has led them to experience the joy in life, to cherish its richness and vitality. It is a stripping away of the burdens of our daily lives so that we are left with exhilaration, spirit, and fullness. These people are finding that less -- less work, less rushing, less debt -- is more -- more time with family and friends, more time with community, more time with nature, and more time to develop a meaningful and compelling spirituality.
In The circle of Simplicity: Return to the Good Life, author Cecile Andrews helps you discover and create the good life for yourself. She is renowned for her workshops on voluntary simplicity and her seminars on creating simplicity circles, where people explore their own life stories and share information and knowledge, helping one another develop lives of simplicity and satisfaction. The circles not only give people the tools to change, but they also fill the unmet need for community, intimacy, and the desire to search for truth in the company of kindred spirits.
"And a kindred spirit is what this book will become. Full of keen observations and practical wisdom, it will make you pause, think, and grow. In the end, simplicity is whatever you want it to be. Each of us takes a different path to the same goal: a life worth living."
~~front & back flaps
If I'd been "grading" books the first time I read this book, it probably would have gotten 5 stars. But now, over 10 years later, I've had the time incorporate a lot of these ideas into my life; I went to an initial meeting of a proposed simplicity circle, but there were only 2 other people and it didn't "take." I've retired, so obviously I have more time, less rushing, less debt; more time with more time with nature, and more time to develop a meaningful and compelling spirituality.
So it wasn't the great rush of a new and compelling concept. It was more of a revisitation, and a chance to realize "oh, I do that now" about so many of the ideas. I certainly recommend the book if you aren't familiar with the idea of voluntary simplicity. If you are, what the book has to say may be old hat.
May 13, 2017
I agree with much of what was in this book, and it wasn't new material for me. However, if someone is feeling like something is missing from life and isn't quite sure what's missing, I would urge that person to read this book and similar ones.
This book is from 20 years ago and talks about "simplicity." Now people talk about "slow living" and "minimalism." Same thing. Different words.
Even 30 years ago, I was reading Duane Elgin and someone whose name eludes me right now.
In the U.S., it seems there are always people seeking a way of life where time and energy are spent with the ones we love and doing what we love. Some of us have always known that consumerism isn't the way to a fulfilling life.
This book is from 20 years ago and talks about "simplicity." Now people talk about "slow living" and "minimalism." Same thing. Different words.
Even 30 years ago, I was reading Duane Elgin and someone whose name eludes me right now.
In the U.S., it seems there are always people seeking a way of life where time and energy are spent with the ones we love and doing what we love. Some of us have always known that consumerism isn't the way to a fulfilling life.
October 2, 2018
This book can only be fully appreciated if you believe that culturally we are losing our soul. The author is straightforward with regard to the decline in society, and argues that technology, among other distractions, is one of the things that has diminished a deeper quality of life. "Circle of Simplicity" is about living a simple, yet deeply full life. While it seems nearly impossible today, the author uses real life stories of those who are in fact living this way all over the world!
August 23, 2023
I struggled with the lack of organization in this book and heavy reliance on personal anecdotes. I love the topic of Voluntary Simplicity, but would not recommend this book as a place to start. I also felt the author was highly judgmental and made a number of off-color remarks that didn't sit right with me, but some of that might be that we come from different generations and this book was written in the late 90s.
January 30, 2018
Sin duda es un libro que invita a rebelarse. Es la segunda vez que lo leo, está vez como referencia para un libro sobre Abundancia que estoy escribiendo.
Me gusta su espíritu rebelde, libertario y su invitación a vivir de un modo mucho más natural.
Hace un lindo ataque a la riqueza... sobre el cual vale la pena reflexionar
Me gusta su espíritu rebelde, libertario y su invitación a vivir de un modo mucho más natural.
Hace un lindo ataque a la riqueza... sobre el cual vale la pena reflexionar
August 26, 2017
Wake up SHEEPLE
The author has a hard time communicating any coherent idea in the first 1/3 of the book. Is it that everything is bad? What's her movement about overall? Staph with the stories from Wikipedia, move to the point.
Didn't even completed this.
The author has a hard time communicating any coherent idea in the first 1/3 of the book. Is it that everything is bad? What's her movement about overall? Staph with the stories from Wikipedia, move to the point.
Didn't even completed this.
June 20, 2017
Great enough to own and underline, a definite read!
September 1, 2025
This book had some good arguments around the idea that mass consumerism in the U.S. contributes to dissatisfaction and unhappiness. It was refreshing to read a perspective that resonates with my own feelings about the issue.
The writing style often felt more like a personal conversation, almost as if my mom were giving me advice, rather than a structured, formal book. While that tone may appeal to some readers, I personally did not find it very effective.
Another issue was the lack of concrete evidence. Andrews occasionally referenced studies, but usually in vague terms without presenting solid data or examples to back up her claims, which left some of her arguments feeling incomplete. On top of that, the book suffered from a lot of redundancy, which made it feel less engaging.
Overall, the book presents good ideas and a thoughtful perspective, but I wish it had been more concise, evidence-based, and structured. Solid 3.5/5
The writing style often felt more like a personal conversation, almost as if my mom were giving me advice, rather than a structured, formal book. While that tone may appeal to some readers, I personally did not find it very effective.
Another issue was the lack of concrete evidence. Andrews occasionally referenced studies, but usually in vague terms without presenting solid data or examples to back up her claims, which left some of her arguments feeling incomplete. On top of that, the book suffered from a lot of redundancy, which made it feel less engaging.
Overall, the book presents good ideas and a thoughtful perspective, but I wish it had been more concise, evidence-based, and structured. Solid 3.5/5
March 22, 2017
It has some good points. I got lost at some other points. It was not exactly what I had expected but I am glad I read it.
August 19, 2013
This book has no index. How can I apply my reading method?
Pg vii: Her family has Bible names. What are her beliefs: What is the Northwest School of Sustainability: Does It still stand?
Pg xix: She was a camp fire girl. Where the ranks were trail seekers, wood gatherers, fire maker and torch bearer. This may be a good book for Betty.
Pg 22: Voluntary simplicity; defined as the expression of the ecocentric ethic. Whatever that means. How about live now so others can live better after us.
Pg 40: She would be first to have people over so she could set a lower standard, more relaxed.
Pg 48: Is this a mistake? She quotes the same passage from Thoreau in Chapter 4 and Chapter 6.
Pg 27: She may have been a Quaker.
Pg 58: Treatment of customers commits make me think how I treat my customers.
Pg 62: A person went shopping, filled a basket and then just left it.
Pg 65: She says she eats out to support locally owned restaurants. She also confessed not being a good cook.
Pg 71: Is there a misprint in the quote of EE Cummings? It would read better if the work "like" was put in.
Pg 82: She says you can't laugh on line. What about "lol".
Pg 87: She says problems come when we don't follow our passion. I'm not sure I agree with her. Where does the passion come from. God or the devil. Good and evil must enter in to that statement.
Pg 95: She says pleasure is the path way to passion. Where does she get this stuff? Reader, the book does get better.
Pg 98: She may have missed Shaw's point about the torch. It's not the splendor of the torch but the fact that it's multigenerational.
Pg 99: She made pot shots at Puritans earlier but now fundamentalists. She's marching to the tune of a different drummer alright.
Pg 109: In the 60's the path to success for a woman was marriage, in the 80's a career. How true is that? How about the millennialists? When will it get back to family values? May the Lord speed the day.
Pg 134: This is mostly a book about herself and how things have effected her. She gets into Bastyr University and natural medicine.
Pg 156: She must be an embarrassment for the Quakers.
Pg 173: I'm getting ill. Now she is favoring redistribution of wealth by taxes and government. I'm for giving but I'm against the governments taking. Are there no books by Christians that see the need to live simple live? Yes "Living on less and liking it more" by a Mennonite writer.
Pg 182: GNP has been knocked in other places. The news is always coming up with rank studies. She has something going here on her proposals for a new society. How about giving the right to tax to clans and charter villages and social groups.
Pg 184: "The Overworked American" by Juliet Schar, is the source of the "fair tax". But the author is for higher inheritance tax which is hard on family farms. BIG{Basic Income Grant) provides income for students, parents, startups and artists. It's tempting but what programs would be cut. If it was a family based tax they could added in what the wanted. What about the homeless of society? Addicts and mental ill,that couldn't control their spending?
Pg 186: She is recording some good ideas. Rather than governments making work why not giving grants to nonprofits. That would corrupt the organizations but it would give an option over paying taxes. Deductions are given now but that's from income rather that directly from the tax. Do a survey of level of trust of government and nonprofit and tax accordingly.
Pg 212: She brings up experimental college which is in Seattle. She quotes Virginia Woolf who committed suicide.
Pg 213: With all her education she is anti-school and has a great section on how schools fail us, that could be used to make homeschools better. and to open the eyes of those to consider other paths to their life goals. 1. Educated people destroy and use more resources. 2. Taught to compete and win, values lose out. 3. Democracy is under mined when not involved. But ask "will that be on the test?" 4. Inferiority complexes. 5. Superiority complexes toward home and around the world. 6. Learning to be objective we don't fee deeply nor have passion. Stay cool and unattached. 7. Not taught to gain wisdom. 8. Speak in jargon that doesn't communicate. She doesn't bring up debt.
Pg 214: Education creates a caste system. Success limited to those with income and education. A few poor sneak through so they can say it's fair.
Pg 250: "How much is Enough" Alan During 1992. I think I have read this but haven't reviewed it yet.
Pg 253: "The Over worked American, Juliet Schar, 1991.
Pg vii: Her family has Bible names. What are her beliefs: What is the Northwest School of Sustainability: Does It still stand?
Pg xix: She was a camp fire girl. Where the ranks were trail seekers, wood gatherers, fire maker and torch bearer. This may be a good book for Betty.
Pg 22: Voluntary simplicity; defined as the expression of the ecocentric ethic. Whatever that means. How about live now so others can live better after us.
Pg 40: She would be first to have people over so she could set a lower standard, more relaxed.
Pg 48: Is this a mistake? She quotes the same passage from Thoreau in Chapter 4 and Chapter 6.
Pg 27: She may have been a Quaker.
Pg 58: Treatment of customers commits make me think how I treat my customers.
Pg 62: A person went shopping, filled a basket and then just left it.
Pg 65: She says she eats out to support locally owned restaurants. She also confessed not being a good cook.
Pg 71: Is there a misprint in the quote of EE Cummings? It would read better if the work "like" was put in.
Pg 82: She says you can't laugh on line. What about "lol".
Pg 87: She says problems come when we don't follow our passion. I'm not sure I agree with her. Where does the passion come from. God or the devil. Good and evil must enter in to that statement.
Pg 95: She says pleasure is the path way to passion. Where does she get this stuff? Reader, the book does get better.
Pg 98: She may have missed Shaw's point about the torch. It's not the splendor of the torch but the fact that it's multigenerational.
Pg 99: She made pot shots at Puritans earlier but now fundamentalists. She's marching to the tune of a different drummer alright.
Pg 109: In the 60's the path to success for a woman was marriage, in the 80's a career. How true is that? How about the millennialists? When will it get back to family values? May the Lord speed the day.
Pg 134: This is mostly a book about herself and how things have effected her. She gets into Bastyr University and natural medicine.
Pg 156: She must be an embarrassment for the Quakers.
Pg 173: I'm getting ill. Now she is favoring redistribution of wealth by taxes and government. I'm for giving but I'm against the governments taking. Are there no books by Christians that see the need to live simple live? Yes "Living on less and liking it more" by a Mennonite writer.
Pg 182: GNP has been knocked in other places. The news is always coming up with rank studies. She has something going here on her proposals for a new society. How about giving the right to tax to clans and charter villages and social groups.
Pg 184: "The Overworked American" by Juliet Schar, is the source of the "fair tax". But the author is for higher inheritance tax which is hard on family farms. BIG{Basic Income Grant) provides income for students, parents, startups and artists. It's tempting but what programs would be cut. If it was a family based tax they could added in what the wanted. What about the homeless of society? Addicts and mental ill,that couldn't control their spending?
Pg 186: She is recording some good ideas. Rather than governments making work why not giving grants to nonprofits. That would corrupt the organizations but it would give an option over paying taxes. Deductions are given now but that's from income rather that directly from the tax. Do a survey of level of trust of government and nonprofit and tax accordingly.
Pg 212: She brings up experimental college which is in Seattle. She quotes Virginia Woolf who committed suicide.
Pg 213: With all her education she is anti-school and has a great section on how schools fail us, that could be used to make homeschools better. and to open the eyes of those to consider other paths to their life goals. 1. Educated people destroy and use more resources. 2. Taught to compete and win, values lose out. 3. Democracy is under mined when not involved. But ask "will that be on the test?" 4. Inferiority complexes. 5. Superiority complexes toward home and around the world. 6. Learning to be objective we don't fee deeply nor have passion. Stay cool and unattached. 7. Not taught to gain wisdom. 8. Speak in jargon that doesn't communicate. She doesn't bring up debt.
Pg 214: Education creates a caste system. Success limited to those with income and education. A few poor sneak through so they can say it's fair.
Pg 250: "How much is Enough" Alan During 1992. I think I have read this but haven't reviewed it yet.
Pg 253: "The Over worked American, Juliet Schar, 1991.
January 19, 2008
I started reading this book 3 months ago and it's taken me this long to finish it. At first, I was really, really into it, loving the message of reclaiming our lives, giving back to the planet, ignoring the corporations, and returning to a simpler way of living.
I don't know why or how I got off track with it, but I did and found it hard to get back. I would read two or three pages here and there and then finally, today, I just said, "That's it, I've been trying to finish it long enough!"
The idea is that we are more and more obsessed with money, with a lifestyle being peddled to us by corporations and industries that want us to subscribe to "the good life" and that in fact, it's all a good life, whether it's what we see on TV or not.
There are a lot of anecdotes and illustrative stories and such to prove the point, but perhaps, for me, that's where the book started losing me. I started feeling like, "Yeah, I get it!!! What the heck am I supposed to do about it!?"
The book helped me to take some control back of my life and gave me the courage to take a hard look and see where I could save money, improve relationships, and reduce my carbon footprint. And since January 1, I've done so. Some of the ideas, I got from Cecile Andrews and some I got from my own thinking.
The book was good, but not quite what I wanted. At the same time was wanting less theory, I wanted more. At the same time was wanting more practical advice, I wanted less. The book was in some weird gray area for me. 3 stars.
I don't know why or how I got off track with it, but I did and found it hard to get back. I would read two or three pages here and there and then finally, today, I just said, "That's it, I've been trying to finish it long enough!"
The idea is that we are more and more obsessed with money, with a lifestyle being peddled to us by corporations and industries that want us to subscribe to "the good life" and that in fact, it's all a good life, whether it's what we see on TV or not.
There are a lot of anecdotes and illustrative stories and such to prove the point, but perhaps, for me, that's where the book started losing me. I started feeling like, "Yeah, I get it!!! What the heck am I supposed to do about it!?"
The book helped me to take some control back of my life and gave me the courage to take a hard look and see where I could save money, improve relationships, and reduce my carbon footprint. And since January 1, I've done so. Some of the ideas, I got from Cecile Andrews and some I got from my own thinking.
The book was good, but not quite what I wanted. At the same time was wanting less theory, I wanted more. At the same time was wanting more practical advice, I wanted less. The book was in some weird gray area for me. 3 stars.
September 1, 2012
Most of this book is anecdotes of her quest for community, her and her friends discoveries thereof and her ideas of how less stuff makes more time to spend on ones passion, with friends or being active in ones local community. All through her concept of a study circle.
I liked that she included the anecdotes on which she based her opinions and conclusions. Since it gives a clear picture of where she got her ideas and values from and because the book is about finding joy of life and a sense of community which are feelings. Feelings, the understanding of which are usually better conveyed through stories than facts.
However just because it is such a personal text I often fail to agree on her reasons, even if I agree with many of her end ideas. Perhaps it is the generation difference between the author and me, or maybe it is just not so well written.
The best part was in my opinion the study circle guidelines example in the end of the book, perhaps because it had only her conclusions and precise ideas for how to try them out for oneself.
In the end I am almost inspired to have re-write and re-structure this book to make it more accessible and practical. That way it could have been a much more useful book.
I liked that she included the anecdotes on which she based her opinions and conclusions. Since it gives a clear picture of where she got her ideas and values from and because the book is about finding joy of life and a sense of community which are feelings. Feelings, the understanding of which are usually better conveyed through stories than facts.
However just because it is such a personal text I often fail to agree on her reasons, even if I agree with many of her end ideas. Perhaps it is the generation difference between the author and me, or maybe it is just not so well written.
The best part was in my opinion the study circle guidelines example in the end of the book, perhaps because it had only her conclusions and precise ideas for how to try them out for oneself.
In the end I am almost inspired to have re-write and re-structure this book to make it more accessible and practical. That way it could have been a much more useful book.
November 12, 2010
Interested in designing a simpler life where you have more time to pursue your passion? This book will strengthen your belief in the voluntary simplicity movement. As evidenced by all the references in her book, Cecile is well-read on the subject of simplification. One of the greatest strengths of the book is that she provides lots of suggestions for further reading. One of the weaknesses of the book is that there is quite a bit of repetition of ideas and many of the titled subsections are underdeveloped with only a few sentences describing a concept. Instead of just introducing a subject, I'd like to know more about things like ecopsychology, Okanagans, the Giraffe Project, changes in taxation, and the secrets researchers discovered in Roseto, PA. Overall, however, I found it valuable and read it cover to cover in a just a few days on the beach and in the air. It added fuel to my desire to escape pseudopleasures and the rat race to pursue a daily life filled with purposeful valuable flow!
May 21, 2011
Flipped through, and it really wasn't even worth that. I found it in the Testimony of Simplicity section of our Quaker Meetinghouse's library, but it wasn't helpful for me at all because the author was writing from an unhelpfully different starting point. She spoke a lot about the typical workweek rat race, and the accumulation of more & more material goods. I think at the end she offered suggestions about what to actually *do* instead of repeating her case about what was wrong, but by that time I had totally checked out.
October 15, 2012
I enjoyed this book. Is there new information in it? I am assuming, of course, that you are interested in Voluntary Simplicity and possibly are on the path of it at some level. So there may not be any new insight gained by reading this unless you are interested in forming Simplicity Circles, which Ms. Andrews give you a lot of information on at the end of the book. But this is a wonderful, thought provoking book if you are looking to have your thoughts on a simple life put into more concrete terms. It's a classic and wonderful.
April 7, 2010
This book is a good read, with valuable information, but I think I may have read one too many simplicity themed books. I liked Affluenza better than this one, but I think this is a perfect book for someone who's just starting to think about making some lifestyle changes in the direction of consuming less/living more consciously.
May 9, 2007
This book was a good read. I wouldn't say rush out and get it, though. There were several things I will take with me, however other parts - in particular about starting/joining cimplicity circles - wasn't something I got anything out of.
October 16, 2008
I have initiated a community group based on Voluntary Simplicity that starts in November because of this book, this is how the cultures of Denmark and Swedish cultures were formed, with study circles.
December 15, 2010
I think she is a little rough on the middle class assuming that everyone is one way, and people become more boring the farther up they move in the work ladder, at the same time, I really wanted to change our lives after reading this! She is spot on in a million ways!
January 3, 2008
I read maybe the first 30 pages and found the book too preachy for me.
September 23, 2008
Some good ideas for simplifying life. Interesting thoughts. Not sure I agree with everything in the book.
March 23, 2009
I learned to change my life from this book. It's one I'd read again and again, just for a refresher course.
May 9, 2009
anyone interested in doing the study group at the end let me know, i know 3-4 people that would like to
September 15, 2009
Great read! Except for the estranged husband not much family involve din this plot. Andrew Ryan turns up but not much happens
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews