Review: Less is definitely less
Rating: 2 out of 5
Date: 05 17, 2014
Mr. Miles has written a User's Manual for Born Again Minimalists. Yours truly, being an inveterate scavenger, gatherer, hoarder, collector, in a word -the ultimate pack-rat, I was really looking forward to reading this book. I was disappointed. So, after reading the book, there is no light at the end of the compulsive collector's tunnel, at least not for me. In my opinion, possessions are a way of defining ourselves, to others and to ourselves as well. When one gives up possesions, one has to find different ways of self-definition. Sadly, no help whatsoever on that! One thing was very obvious - It was very hard to find the promised JOY. Of course, there were a lot of suggested benefits for a minimalist convert - social, environmental, moral, etc., but JOY - no way! I cannot agree that Minimalists (whatever the definition) have better family lives, better quality friends, eat healthier diets, live longer...The list is long but not very convincing. Just by repeating "Less is more" every ten sentences, doesn't make it so. And the step-by-step instructions how to de-clutter your bathroom? Oh, come on!On top of it, several specific points. 1. Plenty of internal contradictions : Minimalists are supposed to get more free time for meaningful pursuits and hobbies, but it is explicitly stated in the book that their preoccupation with maintaining their life style leaves them with just enough time to sleep and breath! 2. Faulty and out-dated facts: For example, recent reasearch demonstrates that coffee is not only harmless, but between 6 and 11 (!!) cups/day actually improve your cardiovascular health. 3. Could use a lot of editing, mainly for grammar, but also syntax. Another pretty useless how-to book.