Interesting concept

Some interesting concepts, I admire the authors sense of adventure and bravery but ultimately the book was a bit to preachy for me.

He over generalises and simplifies. Spends lots of time saying he should not judge others but then goes right ahead and does anyway.

Some of the rules that he set himself seemed a bizarre, he could accept a ferry ticket home but could not use his parents shower?

Also who is going to run the internet, his prime publicity tool in him moneyless vegan organic utopia??

There are definitely things that can be taken away from this book, we could all do with having a good long look at our impact on the world. But am not sure I am ready to jump on this particular band waggon.

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8 people found this helpful

Interesting view point

Any additional comments?

I cannot say that I agree with everything in this book but it is a very interesting view point and he does raise many valid points about the problems of capitalism.

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Mind blowing, inspirational

Loved this and elarnt so much. Want to put lots of ot ibto practice

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A wonderful, life challenging listen

The Moneyless Man is narrated beautifully and I found it a compelling listen. It is creative non-fiction at its best; a well written real life tale, which holds your interest from beginning to end. I learned so much, and it challenged so many aspects of my life and living. Rather than an 'all or nothing' call to live without money, (though that is certainly a vision the author maintains), this work provides so many ways that each of us can reduce our impact on the world in terms of considering alternatives to buying things, replacing things unnecessarily and creating less waste. A fabulous book that captured my heart and imagination... capable of changing us if we let it.

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2 people found this helpful

An attempt to picnic in Eden

One's liking or disliking of this book will largely be decided by one's attitude to man-made climate-change, capitalism, and a conventional agriculture. No prizes for guessing that he is against all three. This book could well have been called 'THE MONEY-LESS VEGAN' If you find that a turn-off then do not buy.

I quickly found myself a non-believer and believed less and less as the 6 hours dragged on.
Firstly, Boyle's analysis of 'what money is' struck me as tremendously biased and rather unimaginative. For him money is entrapping, it is debt and it is a method of enslavement. Possibly this is true, but personally I have always found it very useful for storing the value of my labour and ensuring the cooperation of those around me.

The cooperation of those around him is what Boyle depends heavily upon- 'security from Community not from Money.', 'Cooperation not competition.' No one could disagree that this is broadly a good thing- but on a large scale it's not human nature- What happens when someone wants more than their fair share? How do we cooperate with the non-cooperative? Mark Boyle hopes for a moneyless Eden, with no Original Sin.

In the meantime who is going to fund the Nuclear deterent, the cure for cancer... or the internet? The internet is particually key because if there is one thing that Mr Boyle believes in it is Publicity- not, we are to understand, for reasons of egoism but to 'get the message across' and to promote his ideas of 'Freeconomy' Hence a rather tiresome theme running through the book is a blow-by-blow account of his dealings with the Media and his excitement at the interest they take in his experiment. The internet is to the 'Freeconomic' community, more or less, what oil is to the transport industry- but any suggestion of the way computer production or internet access can be sustainably managed without money is not given by Mark Boyle.

Space is running out- but why such an English narrator for such an Irish writer?

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21 people found this helpful

inspiring.

A thought provoking listen.Well narrated by the author clear and suitably paced.I am keen to hear more on many things that the book covered.

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Insightful

As much as I would love to live the adventure that Mark has, I am fully institutionalised. That said, this book was incredibly interesting and although as he suggested - most will go into the recycling bin of ideas - it feels like some parts will live with me for the rest of my life. Great book, highly recommended for everyone regardless of their outlook on life.

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best book I've ever listened to

what amazing ideas, clever man, excellent all through the book I enjoyed every bit of it.
Can not recommend enough!

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Will read again

Really good book, has made me realise what I really want in life. Will read again in the future!

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Amazing listen

I came across this book by total accident. I am very glad i did. It is a great listen but also makes you think a lot, about the way we live our lives. Many things have changed in my home since i listened to this. Brilliant!!

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2 people found this helpful