Rating: 
Summary: Eye opening and inspiring
Review: This book is more than a "tip" book to give you ideas to save money. Instead, it makes you *think* about our culture's wasteful habits and gives practical suggestions on how we as individuals, families, groups or communities can do "more with less." Yes, this book is written from a Christian (Mennonite) standpoint, and some people may be put off by that. Though I am not a churchgoer, I found that I was not, and found many of the biblical references to be universal and thought provoking. Firsthand stories from MCC missionaries about life in other cultures were pretty amazing. I feel like sending this to every church I know of in hopes that perhaps someone recognizes the waste/extravagance in many churches themselves! Some passeages in the book pointed this out and reminded me of "church functions" I've seen in which styrofoam cups and plates were used liberally, piled high with processed foods and artificially colored jello salads! A new trend I'm seeing involves churches and other groups promoting organizations in which corporate food companies give a handout of processed and non nutritious foods to hungry families in the US without teaching them better cooking habits or nutrition for growing children. Again, maybe flipping through this book might open their eyes, as it's written from a Christian standpoint instead of what they might perceive as an "environmental activist." Though this book is 20 years old, I find that most of the messages are still holding water. How sad that the author, fighting cancer while writing this, passed away before the book was completed, leaving a husband and two young daughters. One wonders what more she would have done/written had she lived.
Rating:
Summary: Eye opening and inspiring
Review: This book is more than a "tip" book to give you ideas to save money. Instead, it makes you *think* about our culture's wasteful habits and gives practical suggestions on how we as individuals, families, groups or communities can do "more with less." Yes, this book is written from a Christian (Mennonite) standpoint, and some people may be put off by that. Though I am not a churchgoer, I found that I was not, and found many of the biblical references to be universal and thought provoking. Firsthand stories from MCC missionaries about life in other cultures were pretty amazing. I feel like sending this to every church I know of in hopes that perhaps someone recognizes the waste/extravagance in many churches themselves! Some passeages in the book pointed this out and reminded me of "church functions" I've seen in which styrofoam cups and plates were used liberally, piled high with processed foods and artificially colored jello salads! A new trend I'm seeing involves churches and other groups promoting organizations in which corporate food companies give a handout of processed and non nutritious foods to hungry families in the US without teaching them better cooking habits or nutrition for growing children. Again, maybe flipping through this book might open their eyes, as it's written from a Christian standpoint instead of what they might perceive as an "environmental activist." Though this book is 20 years old, I find that most of the messages are still holding water. How sad that the author, fighting cancer while writing this, passed away before the book was completed, leaving a husband and two young daughters. One wonders what more she would have done/written had she lived.
Rating:
Summary: Very practical and a wide variety of international recipes!!
Review: This cookbook includes everything from lentils and beans to fish, eggs, salads, and desserts. It calls for simple, inexpensive items. It even gives ideas of using leftovers!! A wonderful resource for practical eating!
Rating:
Summary: Practical Resource for Simplifying your Life
Review: This extremely practical book is filled with practical suggestions from Mennonites on how to simplify your life.An excellent companion to the More with Less Cookbook, this resource covers just about everything. Its topics include: money, clothing, homes, homekeeping, transportation, travel, celebrations, recreation, meetinghouses, eating together, and strengthening one another. This book came out long before the popular Tightwad Gazette. It's just as meaningful today as the day it was written.
Rating:
Summary: This book really makes you THINK!
Review: This is book is a great place to start if you are thinking about "voluntary simplicity".It really gets you thinking about how much we have in this country and how conserving and saving even a little bit can ultimately help the planet and its inhabitants.I really started looking at myself as a "world citizen" after reading this book.The book is broken down into chapters that cover areas such as housing,transportation, and even housekeeping.I may not use every suggestion offered but it has inspired me to come up w/ my own ways of simplifying.I do not think that the biblical passages were distracting at all.I am saddened that the author died in 1979 and cannot write another book in her down-to-earth style.It is a book that I will probably read again and again!
Rating:
Summary: A practical, inspiring book on voluntary simplicity.
Review: This is the best voluntary simplicity book I've read. Mrs. Longacre first discusses the reasons for voluntary simplicity, and the universal values (like compassion for those in need) that undergird the decision to resist a me-oriented culture. Then she discusses half-a-dozen areas in which we can live creatively and simply (food, housing, clothing, celebrations, etc.). For each area after a brief discussion of what is meaningful and needful in that area, she presents letters from many different people detailing specific things they did or changes they made in trying to work out the values of voluntary simplicity in thier lives. These examples range from the very small (using less tin-foil) to the drastic (communal living) but they are all creative, practical, and inspiring.
Rating:
Summary: Inspiring Call To Voluntary Simplicity
Review: When I first read this book, I was living in a camper and feeling pitifully sorry for myself. I was shaken awake by its message , and found myself nor only grateful for having to live in reduced circumstances, but looking for ways to further cut back and conserve. I think that night was the first time I ever watered plants with dishwater and would have felt guilty if I wouldn't have. It really helped instill in me a sense of responsibility for the way I use the resources around me.
Rating:
Summary: We are so fortunate
Review: When I read this book, the one thought I come away with is: I am so fortunate. My circumstances are tight by American standards, but reading this book fills me with gratitude. As a "poor" American, I am richer than most people in the world ever will be. Even if you read the book and never implement one change into your life, you will walk away from this book realizing your good fortune in the grand scheme of planet Earth. It is humbling and gratifying. As Benjamin Franklin said, "Constant complaint is the poorest sort of payment for all the gifts we enjoy."
Rating: 
Summary: Good for those of the Christian faith . . .
Review: While there are probably some good ideas and inspirational messages in this book, I was so distracted and turned off by the constant biblical quotes and references that I didn't get anything out of the book.
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