Simple Living: One Couple's Search for a Better Life

Rating:
Summary: I enjoyed this book very much!
Review: There are many different versions of simple living and this is the story of one particular couple's. Their journey from a hectic city lifestyle to a country one is not an account of "the way it should be done", but rather Frank & Wanda's interesting life path and how it led them to their version of true happiness.

Rating:
Summary: A man, a woman, and an orchard: must be paradise!
Review: This book is charming in every respect. Levering and Urbanska are highly intelligent, thoughtful individuals who made one decision that completely changed their lives: they traded in their hectic L.A. lifestyle for a quiet existence managing a family-owned orchard in a remote corner of Virginia. Along the way they learned to appreciate the value of frugality, family ties, caring for the environment, volunteering, and community activism. I was sorry when the book ended and disappointed that the writers didn't provide the address and directions to their orchard on the back leaf of the book -- I'm more than ready to make the 6 hour drive from D.C. to the Levering Orchard to pick a bucket of ripe, sweet cherries!

Rating:
Summary: It's a Primer
Review: This book may not appeal to those readers who have already read books on Voluntary Simplicity and who are fairly knowlegeable about that "movement". I, however, found the book to be an excellent introduction to the idea of living a simpler life. So many people complain about their crazy lives and having to 'keep up with the Jones'' but do nothing about it (except shrug their shoulders and try to keep up). This couple chose to do something about it and educate themselves along the way. No, they are not Helen and Scott Nearing, nor are they trying to be. They are people in search of a saner life. I found their story accessable, inspiring and entertaining and after I read it, I started reading the works of the Nearings, Arne Naess, Duane Elgin, David E. Shi, Cecile Andrews, Joe Dominguez and others. So, thank you, Wanda and Frank for opening this readers mind. This is a wonderful book for all of those readers who have thought, "Sometimes, I would just like to chuck it all and go live in..." written by a couple who did just that.

Rating:
Summary: It's a Primer
Review: This book may not appeal to those readers who have already read books on Voluntary Simplicity and who are fairly knowlegeable about that "movement". I, however, found the book to be an excellent introduction to the idea of living a simpler life. So many people complain about their crazy lives and having to 'keep up with the Jones'' but do nothing about it (except shrug their shoulders and try to keep up). This couple chose to do something about it and educate themselves along the way. No, they are not Helen and Scott Nearing, nor are they trying to be. They are people in search of a saner life. I found their story accessable, inspiring and entertaining and after I read it, I started reading the works of the Nearings, Arne Naess, Duane Elgin, David E. Shi, Cecile Andrews, Joe Dominguez and others. So, thank you, Wanda and Frank for opening this readers mind. This is a wonderful book for all of those readers who have thought, "Sometimes, I would just like to chuck it all and go live in..." written by a couple who did just that.

Rating:
Summary: a wonderful feel good book!
Review: This book really puts into perspective how we should be living. What I loved about it, was not only the fascinating stories scattered throughout the book but that Wanda and Frank really know what life should be about (without being lecturers!) I've been reading a lot of books on simplifying one's life and this one is great because they're not radicals about it. I envy them their happiness and simple rural lifestyle.

Rating:
Summary: Intelligently Simple
Review: This is undoubtedly one of the best books I have ever read, and yes, I have read many. Having grown up in a small town, moved away to several metropolitan areas, and then returned, I am well aware of the challenges which face those of us who do so. Levering & Urbanska do a marvelous job of eruditely characterizing those challenges, as well as providing insight into the paradigm shifts required to resolve them. Their detailed, yet lively, description of small town and rural life is masterful, honest yet not critical. While their circumstances are unique to themselves, they are/will be reflected in the experiences of anyone making a similar choice. Additionally, the work is more than just one dimensional. It provides insight into both simple living as well as small town living. The writing style was eloquently simple, yet above a third-grade reading level. It was entertaining as well as enjoyable. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in small town living, simple living, or both.

Rating:
Summary: Live Simply....Recycle this book!
Review: Wanda and Frank are completely tedious, judegemental, and self-absorbed. This book could be summed up in the following sentences, "Everyone should live their lives like we do. We are such wonderful writers so we will spend the entire book talking about how wonderful we are because we live simply. We want you to know every asinine detail of our lives such as how we remodeled our bathroom with driftwood." This book was for them to feel all superior and nothing more. Wanda and Frank...Stay at the orchard and away from your wordprocessors!