Review: Good for some/Not so much for Others
Rating: 2 out of 5
Date: 11 19, 2013
I have such mixed views on how best to provide perspective readers with sufficient information to make a decision to spend time reading this work by Mr. Gajda.  First off, I think the concept of living with less without being saddled with unnecessary expenses and responsibilities that cause undue stress is worth going after.  I thought that was what I was going to spend my time reading about.Instead, I was yet again, re-introduced to the values of those who choose to go Vegan.  I'm was born an omnivore and have sufficient grey matter between my ears to understand the logic and value of dietary choices.  I just want readers to be warned that they can skim or skip a good chunk of the section of Gajda's "five rings," when he goes into detail about dietary choice and method.I live in a bike friendly environmentally conscious community by choice and benefit from leaving my car parked for weeks on end.  I'm well aware that this isn't an option for most Americans.  I've lived in more places in this big country than the average person, so I get it.  The take away from the section about getting rid of independent travel via personal auto should be to encourage change.  The preachy feeling I got while reading this section caused me to investigate the author's background and age...yes, what a luxury.I'm in my mid 50s and totally agree with the sense of freedom one experiences when they are able to shed their "stuff."  However, it isn't practical for average mortals to quit their day jobs.In this work by Gajda that I believe was well intended, he presents too many contradictions for me to feel good about providing a good recommendation to a broad audience of readers.  e.g.  Aside from the author's convictions about going vegan and shedding the use of automobiles, he seems to have no trouble traveling the world via the most fuel consumptive mode of transport known to man - the Jet.  Additionally, Gajda offers his version of a common sense means for personal financial management (old news stuff for anyone who's ever researched it).  My problem with his presentation of successful fiscal responsibility is the chronology in which he gained that perspective.  No way did the author quit his day job, sell all his stuff, become a vegan, and suddenly become financially independent.  For me, the story just didn't add up.My final recommendation is for those remotely interested is, pick and choose what you think might be of value and skip the rest.  There are some good nuggets of useful advice in this work, provided you can get past the preachy guidance the author recommends.