Rating: 
Summary: Soulful and Important
Review: Although dated, this revised edition of VOLUNTARY SIMPLICITY reads as fresh as a morning flower, and its subject matter is even more timely and relevant today. Here Author Duane Elgin provides a wonderful exploration of the practical and philosophical meaning of simplicity, as well as a very comprehensive overview of our ecological predicament. He does not suggest we live like Thoreau or throw out notions of progress. In place of thoughtless grow or "no growth" Elgin prefers a path of "new growth," where inner and outer, spiritual and material, technological and ecological demands are harmonized and balanced. From beginning to end, I could not put this book down. After reading it, I feel like a changed person. To quote Elgin, "In an era dominated by hideously complex problems of global dimension, the ability to see the world more clearly is essential to the survival and well-being of the human family." And indeed, helping us see better is exactly what Elgin accomplishes. If this book moves you, you might also want to check out ECOCITIES, by Richard Register, and ECOVILLAGE LIVING, by Hildur Jackson and Karen Stevenson. Lester Brown's ECO-ECONOMY should go without mention.~a glObal classic~
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Summary: Toward a new understanding
Review: Beyond explaining what Voluntary Simplicity is, Duane Elgin provides equally important information: What is isn't. Elgin explains the philosophy behind a movement that begins with the individual. His insightful style, superbly written and no-nonsense approach act like a light switch in the dark. For the person who is struggling in the rat race of life, Elgin's book may just provide the "ah hah!" factor that can lead to new awareness of what is truly important. In a world, and in a time, where global problems and complex issues seem beyond the reach of caring and informed citizens to solve, Elgin gives new hope. The comforting thing is that the answers themselves are so simple and so easily integrated into our own lives.
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Summary: Voluntary Simplicity:Toward A Way of Life...
Review: Elgin has been hailed, by some, as a guru of the simplicity movement, yet I was disappointed with the content of this book. He attempted to give a philosophical framework for the movement and did a good job exploring the possibilities of this type of lifestyle. Yet, I found his philosophical examination of "religions" and the human condition to be lacking. He did a poor job of relaying the true messages of different spiritual pathways, and instead twisted them to match the simplicity movement. Furthermore, his attempts at showing what the simplicity movement will result in are at times accurate, yet often they are mere speculation. Elgin assumes that simplicity provides that satisfaction that the soul longs for, which simply isn't true. Simplicity can relieve stress, help our ecology, and help us live a more conscious and fruitful life. But ultimately, the soul longs for more than simplicity, decluttering, developing community and having more time. I think this book would have hit the mark if the author would have spent less time trying to oversimply the spiritual pathways of the world, and instead given us more practical examples of the voluntary simplicity movement. More "how-to's" and less philosophy.
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Summary: One of the 10 most influential books I've read.
Review: Elgin's book is one of the classics of the Simplicity movement. While he won't give you concrete suggestions on how to live without your car or eat less meat, he provides a thought-provoking analysis of consumerist culture. It's an absolute must-read for anyone trying to understand the Simplicity movement or to live more mindfully.
Rating: 
Summary: A good treatise on simple living, but needs more depth.
Review: Essentially, Elgin is in the right place and time with the right message and this is a solid piece of work for those just trying to understand how simplifying one's life has broader systemic ramifications to ourselves and the overall well being of our planet. His philosophical insight is sound, explaining many of the ultimately destructive issues and paradoxes facing our society today -- it's even more timely than when it was originally written back in the early 80s. Most notible are his passages in Chapter Six, Civilizations In Transition, which provides a historical framework for the normal evolution of most any successful civilization, where he suggests a natural pendulum swing reflecting the balance between periods of civilization growth and decay. His observations are astute and well conceived. Unfortunatly, his lack of effective backup arguments and in-depth present day or historical examples throughout the text, may prove ineffective in making converts of those who do not already believe and accept the need for society's fundamental transition from a faltering industrial and materialistic mentality, to one that is ecologically aware and responsible. His closing observations also suffer from an over simplification of how we should collectively adapt to a rivitalization of modern day civilization. The required shift in public consciousness is a complex process that will not come about (in one example) through basic changes in our use of mass media, which simply will not happen (in a democracy) until our internal and personal value systems have already changed. Sadly, society was already materialistic and self-absorbed long before effective mass media manipulation. How to facilitate a more systemic consciousness within society is a difficult question, and in all fairness to Mr. Elgin, one few of his contemporaries has adequately addressed. Yes, you should read this book, but for those interested in a more in-depth, next level kind of related reading into new systemic thinking paradigms! , I recommend Fritjof Capra's Tao of Physics or The Turning Point.
Rating: 
Summary: Inspiring yet troubling--and somewhat contradictory
Review: I agreed with the basic premise of the book. I'm all for living a simpler and richer life. And I agree with Elgin's ideas about accomplishing this at a personal level, using individual creativity and imagination to work out our problems. But I was very troubled when Elgin started proposing things like massive taxes on gasoline, tobacco, and alcohol to force people to change their way of living. Once again I hit my head against the wall of "liberal thinking": great ideas, but always forced upon us by big government. If Elgin had stayed the course and argued for individual change through education and personal enlightenment (and leave the government out of it), I would have given the book five stars.
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Summary: How to change the world?
Review: I enjoyed this book, but found the last section a little troubling. Many of Elgin's suggestions for changing society could only be implemented in a totalitarian society. I am all for changing individual opinions, but they cannot (and should not) be forced to change/be re-educated.
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Summary: Good Read!
Review: I enjoyed this book. My only warning is that one must read it in context of when it was written. In other words, there's no new ground-breaking information in the book, but it was probably all near-new stuff (at least to the West) when it was written.
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Summary: Basic Philosophy and Intro to Voluntary Simplicity
Review: I found this book to be very valuable, as it was my introduction to the topic of voluntary simplicity. I felt it outlined the problems, issues, and possible solutions quite well. Granted, the solutions are probably utopian (especially if you also read Global Spin and get a feel for how determined the opposition is!), but the book is still well worth reading. It will probably be the beginning textbook for the VS Movement for some time to come. It also makes reading Ecotopia great fun, where you see some of the solutions in action (although in a fictional setting).
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Summary: A classic on voluntary simplicity??
Review: I had read Your Money or Your Life and enjoyed it. I bought Voluntary Simplicity because it was called a "classic" on Voluntary Simplicity. However, I was disappointed. I don't think it gave much practical or useful information.
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