Living Like Ed: A Guide to the Eco-Friendly Life
by Ed Begley Jr.
List Price:
Our Price: $2.70
You Save: $15.30 (85%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions
Book Summary Information
Author: Ed Begley Jr.Brand: Baker and Taylor
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-02-19
ISBN: 0307396436
Number of pages: 240
Publisher: Clarkson Potter
Book Reviews of Living Like Ed: A Guide to the Eco-Friendly Life
Book Review: Live like Ed, Don't Rant like Him
Summary: 3 Stars
This book is a pretty decent reference guide. Begley breaks his book up in six areas that he (as well as we) can do to make our lives greener (in the home, transportation, recycling, energy, garden and kitchen, and clothing/hair/skin care). You can get as much, or as little, as you need from the guide. Basically, each area is an essay by Begley that has the main points highlighted throughout, with a legend of a tree that shows its significance (price and impact wise) environmentally. He also allows some companies that he does business with, to give the reader a pitch about the products or services they provide. Even his wife throws in her "two cents" throughout the book (which is basically what it's worth because she only made herself sound like a shallow bimbo with a smug sense of self congratulations).
Now don't get me wrong, I've watched Living with Ed and found it entertaining and informative. And for the most part, I like Ed Begley Jr. I can appreciate a guy who can make fun of himself from time to time (ex. Cameo'd on the Simpsons driving a go-cart powered by his own "sense of self satisfaction"), but I found the essays a little preachy. Maybe the guy has to get defensive because he's probably had to be that way for the last 30 years or so, but I don't feel like he has to be that way to readers. If you pick this up you're basically looking to "green up" your living, but Begley talks to the reader like he's expecting a fight. Chill man, you're in good company. He uses alot of scare tactics that made me feel guilty about the life I've been leading, not positive of the way I'm changing my life. He also had a tendency to rant on and on, and that was off-putting. Okay Ed, I got it. Solar is good. Let's move on, shall we?
This book is mainly written by Begley based on what Begley knows, so he often makes references to services offered mostly in California (or NYC) so if you're not in those areas, that just means you may have to do more research. At least he gives the reader a starting off point.
And in terms of ways to "green up" your life, this book isn't as insulting as some (you mean turn out a light when I leave a room saves energy!? And I paid $16 for you to tell me that?! Doy!) but not as wacky as others (I just can't save up used bath water to water my lawn. Maybe someday, but not today). And the ways range from uber cheap to long shot expensive. So I think a multitude of readers can get something out of it. It had a nice reference key for those recycling numbers on the bottom of plastics. It also has a small "workbook" to use if you implement his suggestions so you can see the progress you make.
And if you're interested in this book because you're a fan of the show, it makes lots of references to it. Begley and his wife play off each other throughout, and some of the companies that are featured in the book are some of the products on his show. He also provides us with a few recipes that he's used on the show (Birthday episode Lentil soup and tofu brownies, etc).
Overall, it was informative, but the writing just wasn't for me. At least you can skip the rants if you want.
Summary of Living Like Ed: A Guide to the Eco-Friendly Life
FROM THE PIONEER OF ECO-CONSCIOUS LIVINGA committed environmentalist for more than thirty years, Ed Begley, Jr., has always tried to ?live simply so others may simply live.? Now, as more and more of us are looking for ways to reduce our impact on the planet and live a better, greener life, Ed shares his experiences on what works, what doesn't?and what will save you money!
These are tips for environmentally friendly living that anyone?whether you own or rent, live in a private home or a condo?can try to make a positive change for the environment. From quick fixes to bigger commitments and long-term strategies, Ed will help you make changes in every part of your life.
And if you think living green has to mean compromising on aesthetics or comfort, fear not; Ed's wife, Rachelle, insists on style?with a conscience. In Living Like Ed, his environmentalism and her design savvy combine to create a guide to going green that keeps the chic in eco-chic.
From recycling more materials than you ever thought possible to composting without raising a stink to buying an electric car, Living Like Ed is packed with ideas?from obvious to ingenious?that will help you live green, live responsibly, live well. Like Ed.
Do-It-Yourself Books
Book Subjects
- Arts & Photography
- Biographies & Memoirs
- Business & Investing
- Children's Books
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Computers & Internet
- Cooking, Food & Wine
- Entertainment
- Gay & Lesbian
- Health, Mind & Body
- History
- Home & Garden
- Horror
- Law
- Literature & Fiction
- Mystery & Thrillers
- Nonfiction
- Outdoors & Nature
- Parenting & Families
- Professional & Technical
- Reference
- Religion & Spirituality
- Romance
- Science
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Sports
- Teens
- Travel
Most talked about in Do-It-Yourself Books
The Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Guideby George Hepplewhite
Dover Publications; Published: 1969-06-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $57.98
The Complete Manual of Practical House Buildingby Robert Matthews
J M Dent; Published: 1993-09-23; Paperback; Book
The Gadget Guru's Guide to the Kitchenby Andy Pargh, John Kelley
Grand Central Publishing; Published: 1998-12-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $21.94
The Art of Woodgrainingby Stuart Spencer
Little, Brown Book Group; Published: 1993-08-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $141.95
Measure Twice, Cut Once: Lessons from a Master Carpenterby Norm Abram
Little, Brown and Company; Published: 1996-06-01; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $4.94
Price in other shops:
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Electrical Repairby Terry Meany
Alpha; Published: 2000-02-18; Paperback; Book
Best price: $68.99
Audel House Wiringby Roland E. Palmquist, Paul Rosenberg
Audel; Published: 1991-03-14; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $13.00
Price in other shops:
Collins Complete Wiring & Lightingby Albert Jackson
Harpercollins Reference Hbacks; Published: 2010-05-27; Paperback; Book
Best price: $10.30
Diy SOS:the Bk That Rescues You Frby Lowri Turner
Harper Collins; Published: 2000-11-06; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.00
Good Housekeeping: The Ecofriendly Home - Fresh Ideas for a Healthy Homeby DAN PHILLIPS
HARPERCOLLINS ILLUSTRATED; Published: 2000; Hardcover; Book
Similar Books and other products
McGee & Stuckey's Bountiful Container: Create Container Gardens of Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Edible Flowersby Rose Marie Nichols McGee, Maggie Stuckey
Workman Publishing Company; Published: 2002-02-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.99
Price in other shops:
Green, Greener, Greenest: A Practical Guide to Making Eco-Smart Choices a Part of Your Lifeby Lori Bongiorno
Perigee Trade; Published: 2008-03-25; Paperback; Book
Best price: $1.65
Price in other shops:
Living Green: A Practical Guide to Simple Sustainabilityby Greg Horn
Freedom Press; Published: 2006-11-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.10
Price in other shops:
Go Green, Live Rich: 50 Simple Ways to Save the Earth and Get Rich Tryingby David Bach, Hillary Rosner
Crown Business; Published: 2008-04-08; Paperback; Book
Best price: $0.25
Price in other shops:
Ed Begley, JR.: Living Green (Voices for Green Choices)by Robert Grayson
Crabtree Publishing Company; Published: 2009-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.89
Price in other shops:
Easy Green Living: The Ultimate Guide to Simple, Eco-Friendly Choices for You and Your Homeby Renée Loux
Rodale Books; Published: 2008-04-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.62
Price in other shops:
Living with Ed: Season 2GT; Release date: 2008-09-02; DVD
Best price: $8.05
Price in other shops:
Whole Green Catalog: 1000 Best Things for You and the Earthby Michael W. Robbins
Rodale Books; Published: 2009-09-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.54
Price in other shops:
Living with Ed: Season 1GT; Release date: 2008-04-08; DVD
Best price: $1.97
Price in other shops:
Ed Begley, Jr.'s Guide to Sustainable Living: Learning to Conserve Resources and Manage an Eco-Conscious Lifeby Ed Begley Jr.
Baker and Taylor; Clarkson Potter; Published: 2009-08-25; Paperback; Book
Best price: $10.99
Price in other shops: