Most Popular Books by Tom Hodgkinson

From the founding editor of The Idler, the celebrated magazine about the freedom and fine art of doing nothing, comes not simply a book, but an antidote to our work-obsessed culture. In How to Be Idle, Tom Hodgkinson presents his learned yet whimsical argument for a new universal standard of living: being happy doing nothing. He covers a whole spectrum of issues affecting the modern idler—sleep, work, pleasure, relationships—while reflecting on the writing of such famous apologists for it as Oscar Wilde, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Nietzsche—all of whom have admitted to doing their very best work in bed.

This wise and funny book presents a revolutionary yet highly practical approach to childcare: leave them alone. "The Idle Parent came as a huge relief to the whole family. Suddenly, it was okay to leave the kids to sort it out among themselves. Suddenly, it was okay to be responsibly lazy. This is the most counterintuitive but most helpful and consoling child-raising manual I''ve yet read."--Alain de Botton, author of The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work and The Consolations of Philosophy "The most easy-to-follow-without-being-made-to-feel-inadequate parenting manifesto ever written . . . A godsend to parents."--The Sunday Times "Add liberal doses of music, jovial company and deep woods to play in--all central to the idle, not to say Taoist, life--and you have a recipe for bright, happy people with need of neither television nor shrink. Who could ask for more?"--The Evening Standard In The Idle Parent, the author of The Freedom Manifesto and How to Be Idle applies his trademark left-of-center theories of idleness to what can be one of the thorniest aspects of adult life: parenting. Many parents today spend a whole lot of time worrying and wondering--frantically "helicoptering" over their children with the hope that they might somehow keep (or make?) them flawless. But where is this approach to childcare getting us? According to Hodgkinson, in our quest to give our kids everything, we fail to give them the two things they need most: the space and time to grow up self-reliant, confident, happy, and free. In this smart and hilarious book, Hodgkinson urges parents to stop worrying and instead start nurturing the natural instincts toward creativity and independence that are found in every child. And the great irony: in doing so, we will find ourselves becoming happier and better parents.

The Art of Doing Nothing meets The Dangerous Book for Boys in this charming celebration of simple delights. In The Book of Idle Pleasures, the United Kingdom''s expert Idlers Tom Hodgkinson and Dan Kieran stand up for the simple pleasures in life . . . by lying down for a nap. With its tongue firmly in its cheek, The Book of Idle Pleasures renounces our world of ever-growing consumer overload in favor of the timelessly true adage that the best things in life really are free. Clever and sometimes all too true in its reflections on 100 simple pastimes--among them slouching, skipping stones, staring out the window, doodling, and, natch, taking a nap--The Book of Idle Pleasures is a charming celebration of simple pleasures for the sake of pleasure itself, making it a soothing antidote for our nonstop culture and an ideal restorative against the costly confusion of our daily existence.

Drawing on the French existentialists, British punks, the US beats, hippies and yippies, medieval thinkers, anarchists and 1970s back-to-the-landers such as Ivan Illich, Idlereditor Tom Hodgkinson provides a new, simple, joyful blueprint for modern living. He shows that consumer society has led not to a widening of freedoms but to the opposite, and that the key to a free life is to stop consuming and start producing. We are not consumers, we are creators! Following up his cult bestseller How To Be IdIe,Tom Hodgkinson takes us on an inspirational journey towards true freedom and happiness. Read How To Be Freeand learn how to throw off the shackles of anxiety, bureaucracy, debt, governments; housework, moaning, pain, poverty, ugliness, war and waste, and much else besides.

“Extremely funny . . . part practical business handbook, part entrepreneur’s memoirs, aimed at freelancers or small-business owners in the creative fields.” —Financial Times If you want to run your own business—but cash flow forecasts, tax returns, and P&Ls sound horrifying—fear not. Help is at hand. Journalist and cofounder of the Idler Tom Hogkinson has spent his career advocating for laid-back living, and in Business for Bohemians, he combines practical advice with hilarious anecdotes to create a refreshingly candid guidebook for all of us who aspire to a greater degree of freedom in our working lives. Whether you dream of launching your own graphic design startup or growing your Etsy store into a full-scale operation in your spare time, Business for Bohemians will equip you with the tools to turn your talents into a profitable and enjoyable business. Accounting need no longer be a dark art. You will become a social media maven and a friend of the spreadsheet. You will learn the art of negotiation, how to get paid, and how to decide which clients to take. You will discover that laziness can be a virtue. Above all, you will realize that freedom from the nine-to-five life is achievable—and, with Hodgkinson’s comforting, pragmatic, and funny advice, you might even enjoy yourself along the way. “Ways to tackle topics ranging from finance to social media . . . solid examples and a helpful glossary of business terms. Readers familiar with his lighthearted, humorous approach to life will find much to enjoy.” —Booklist “Plenty of good, practical advice.” —The Wall Street Journal

''One of those enthusiasts whose enthusiasm is hard to resist . . . Always beguiling'' Daily Mail ''Hugely inspiring even when it is most bonkers'' Sarah Bakewell, New Statesman ''A combination of almanac, commonplace book and diary, this is a tasty oddity . . . Richly entertaining'' Independent As the pandemic has caused us all to re-evaluate our lives, becoming more self-reliant and dwelling in closer harmony with nature have emerged as important priorities. Many of us have decided to up sticks and leave the city behind for a less frenetic existence in the country. Whether you''ve already made your move, or are dreaming of doing so one day, this is the book for you. Covering beekeeping, poultry rearing, pig farming, bread-making, wood-chopping, fire-laying, bartering and much more, How to Live in the Country is the perfect source of inspiration for old hand and beginners alike: useful, informative but also refreshingly honest and realistic. Tom Hodgkinson draws on the wisdom of an eclectic range of thinkers and writers as he guides us through each month of the year, giving lists of tasks for both garden and animal husbandry, offering tips and shortcuts, and weaving in stories about his own experience of raising a young family in rural Devon.

From 1897 to today, this fascinating history of the ukulele, from its birth in Hawaii to its global popularity, also discusses the anatomy of this strange little instrument and includes a songbook with instructions on how to play it. Original.

Brave Old World is Tom Hodgkinson''s year-round guide to the ancient art of husbandry. In this indispensable addition to his much-loved guides for the free-spirited, Tom Hodgkinson takes us on a modern tour of the ancient arts of everyday living: philosophy, husbandry and merriment. Drawing on the wisdom of an eclectic range of thinkers and writers, and, as ever, on Tom''s own honestly recounted and frequently imperfect attempts to travel the road to self-sufficiency, Brave Old World charts the progress of a year in pursuit of the pleasures of the past. From January to December, let Tom be your guide to a better, older way of life. ''A meditation on why life has been a dreadful mistake ever since the Reformation brought us paid jobs and the work ethic. Brave Old World is hugely inspiring even when it is most bonkers'' Sarah Bakewell, New Statesman ''A delightful read. Share in the exuberant joys and comic misfortunes of an eccentric who has made up his mind about the existence he wants to lead, and has gone ahead and lived it'' James Delingpole, Mail on Sunday Tom Hodgkinson is the founder and editor of The Idler and the author of How to be Idle, How to be Free, The Idle Parent and Brave Old World. In spring 2011 he founded The Idler Academy in London, a bookshop, coffeehouse and cultural centre which hosts literary events and offers courses in academic and practical subjects - from Latin to embroidery. Its motto is ''Liberty through Education''. Find out more at www.idler.co.uk.

We all obsess about worrying less, but worrying can actually be good for you. Similarly we strive to be proactive and fast - but aren''t there hidden benefits to procrastinating? The last thing a parent is meant to do is neglect their offspring, but children do amazing things when you just leave them alone. And at work we spend hours frantically brainstorming, but isn''t there a benefit to just lazily staring out of the window? EVERYTHING BAD IS GOOD FOR YOU is a new series of short pieces dedicated to the much-maligned personality traits that we should actually be promoting. Just as Susan Cain''s QUIET showed that introversion is actually a superpower and Sarah Knight made us all realise that not giving a f**k can actually improve our lives, these surprising and entertaining audiobooks will celebrate our perceived flaws - and show why embracing rather than supressing them can be the difference between failure and success.

The author of How to Be Idle, Tom Hodgkinson, now shares his delightfully irreverent musings on what true independence means and what it takes to be free. The Freedom Manifesto draws on French existentialists, British punks, beat poets, hippies and yippies, medieval thinkers, and anarchists to provide a new, simple, joyful blueprint for modern living. From growing your own vegetables to canceling your credit cards to reading Jean-Paul Sartre, here are excellent suggestions for nourishing mind, body, and spirit—witty, provocative, sometimes outrageous, yet eminently sage advice for breaking with convention and living an uncluttered, unfettered, and therefore happier, life.

The 2011 issue of the Idler is devoted to the idea of small business as an alternative to the grind of the nine-to-five. There is an introduction by editor Tom Hodgkinson who attempts to outline an idler''s business ethic. Tom also tells the story of how he and Victoria Hull set up the Idler Academy, and the inevitable anxieties that it produced. In an inspiring interview, Bill Drummond calls on people to take responsibility for their lives. He even takes issue with the philosophy of the Idler, saying: "Idleness is the fastest route to depression." David Boyle of the New Economics Foundation resists the call from endless growth and scale, and argues that "small is beautiful". Other contributors include Robert Wringham of the New Escapologist magazine, early retirement expert Jacob Lund Fisker, and Toby Young, who writes on how Eton old boys continue to dominate British politics. There are fine illustrations from Alice Smith, Clifford Harper, Bronwen Jones and more, and the whole has been typeset and produced by the inky-fingered Mr Brett of Brackepress. - See more at: http://idler.co.uk/product/now-available-the-idler-44-mind-your-business/#sthash.y45PdOtd.dpuf

Trapped in a London laboratory during a worker uprising in 1924, scientist and ex-artillery officer Jeremy Tuft awakens 150 years later--on the eve of a new Dark Age! Though dismayed by the realization that his own era''s faith in the inevitability of progress was a shibboleth, Tuft decides that pre-modern life is simpler, more peaceful. That is, until half-savage northern English and Welsh tribes invade London...at which point he sets about reinventing twentieth century weapons of mass destruction. Shanks''s proto-Idiocracy satire was first published in 1920--Back cover.

Die amüsanten Memoiren eines Stadtmenschen, der auf dem Land sein Glück versucht

»Kleine Auszeiten im Alltag ist eine ebenso kurze wie nützliche Anleitung für das müßige Leben. In 24 Kapiteln erläutert das Buch die verschiedenen Möglichkeiten, nichts zu tun. Diese kleinen Tricks können überall angewendet werden, und das bei geringen bis gar keinen Kosten. Indem Sie den simplen Schritten folgen, wird sich Ihre Anspannung verflüchtigen, Ihr Leben wird vergnüglicher und einfach gut.« Unterhaltsam und kurzweilig zeigt Tom Hodgkinson, wie Auszeiten zu einem festen Bestandteil im Alltag werden können. Von entschleunigender Lektüre und Tagebuchschreiben über die Wiederentdeckung alter Spiele, besondere Formen der Meditation bis zum Waldbaden und ziellosen Flanieren in der Stadt-- hier ist für alle etwas dabei. Und dass zudem die schönsten Dinge im Leben häufig umsonst sind – das zeigt dieses Buch mit erfrischender Leichtigkeit.

Come vivere (meglio) senza ansia, orologi, mutui, sensi di colpa, denaro, debiti, politica, carriera e supermarket "Hodgkinson è semplicemente suonato ma colpisce fottutamente nel segno." DAMIEN HIRST Vai in bicicletta Dai un calcio alla carriera Sii bohémien Butta via la tv Smetti di votare Non sottometterti più alle macchine: usa le mani Liberati dal mutuo e diventa un allegro vagabondo Rifiuta lo spreco e scegli la frugalità Smetti di lavorare: inizia a vivere SII LIBERO! Avidità, competizione, solitudine e grigiore sono entrate con violenza nella vita di tutti i giorni. Di libertà, soddisfazione, allegria e responsabilità non se ne sa quasi più nulla. McDonald''s e antidepressivi a colazione, pranzo e cena: l''era del consumo offre molte consolazioni ma poche libertà e i governi sferrano attacchi continui ai nostri diritti civili. Dopo averci iniziato all''arte sovversiva e rivoluzionaria dell''ozio, Hodgkinson torna con un nuovo e ben più alto obiettivo: restituirci le chiavi della libertà. Attingendo alle opere di esistenzialisti francesi, pensatori medievali, beats americani, hippies e punk, l''autore ci guida alla riconquista della felicità perduta. «È possibile cambiare la propria vita in un secondo. La libertà è uno stato della mente» sostiene. Ma è necessario innanzitutto smettere di consumare e iniziare a essere creativi: coltivate da voi frutta e verdura sui vostri terrazzi e davanzali, impastate e cuocete il vostro pane! La libertà come stile di vita suggerisce svariati modi per liberarsi da ansie, paure, debiti, lavori domestici, sensi di colpa e tanti altri condizionamenti. Il pavimento di casa non brilla mai come quello delle pubblicità? Sostituiamo alle lampadine la luce fioca delle candele e tutto apparirà più pulito. E per sfuggire ai debiti iniziamo a cancellare l''abbonamento alla tv satellitare e qualsiasi altro contratto che implichi un pagamento. Un libro ironico, sagace, ricco di spunti, capace di offrire nutrimento per il corpo, la mente e lo spirito senza mai annoiare. Basta carte di credito e stress da carriera! Prepariamoci piuttosto a imparare a suonare l''ukulele.

Napadlo vás někdy, proč každé ráno vstáváte za kuropění, zařadíte se autem do kolony a jedete do zaměstnání? A má vaše práce vůbec nějaký smysl? A proč na vás ze všech stran útočí spotřební kultura nevalné kvality? Prolétla vám hlavou myšlenka, zda snad přece jen neexistuje lepší, svobodnější a šťastnější způsob života? Jestliže ano, pak tato kniha je určena právě vám. V Životním manifestu č. 2 (po kultovní jedničce Jak být líný) se pod radostným vedením Toma Hodgkinsona můžeme vydat na inspirativní cestu za vnitřní svobodou a štěstím. Při četbě této knihy se pobavíme Tomovými neotřelými myšlenkami a nápady a nejspíš se jen tak mimochodem dozvíme, jak je možné setřást ze sebe pouta obav a vnitřních nejistot, byrokracie, dluhů, nesmyslných vládních nařízení, úmoru domácích prací, zbytečných stížností a rozbrojů, chudoby, zloby i domácích odpadů a mnoha dalších nepříjemností, které nám brání v rozletu a znemožňují nám cítit se volný jako ten pták...

Wie funktioniert man die Bürotoilette zu einem geeigneten Platz für den Mittagsschlaf um? Und muss man sich schuldig fühlen, wenn man sich mittags ein Bad gönnt statt zu arbeiten? Tom Hodgkinson, der Hohepriester des Nichtstuns, kämpft in seinem unterhalt

Také máte pocit, že jste se stali otroky svých dětí? Z přehnaně zaníceného rodičovství však vede cesta ven. Existuje jednoduché řešení, které váš život učiní snazším a finančně méně náročným, život vašich dětí učiní radostnějším a navíc vám pomůže vychovat děti šťastné a soběstačné. Toto řešení autor knihy nazývá „líné rodičovství“ a jeho mantra zní jednoduše: „Nechte je být.“ Líný rodič je totiž dobrý rodič. Taková filozofie pravděpodobně může jít modernímu, zaneprázdněnému rodiči proti srsti, protože je nám neustále předkládáno, abychom dělali více, a ne méně. Všichni rodiče bloumají, kudy chodí, sžíráni hlodavým pocitem, že to všechno dělají nějak špatně a že je potřeba víc pracovat. Nikoliv. Problém není v tom, že do rodičovství vkládáme příliš málo práce, nýbrž že jí vkládáme příliš mnoho. Tím, jak přehnaně zasahujeme do života svých dětí, jim bráníme, aby vyrostly a postaraly se samy o sebe. Stáhněte se. Nechte je žít. Vítejte ve škole líného rodičovství. Jde o zaručený úspěch pro obě strany – vy budete mít méně práce a dítě tím jen získá, vy i vaše děti se naučíte užívat každodenního života a také samostatnosti a nezávislosti. A jak na to se dozvíte v humorné a láskyplné knize Toma Hodgkinsona, líného rodiče tří dětí, která se stane nepostradatelnou součástí vaší domácnosti.

Seit rund zweihundert Jahren sind wir im Westen von der fixen Idee besessen, dass Spaß eine teure Sache sei. Wir arbeiten bis zur Erschöpfung, meist in ungeliebten Berufen, um Geld zu verdienen, damit wir Dinge tun oder kaufen können, die uns Spaß machen. Natürlich ist das nichts als ein enttäuschender Irrtum. Das originell illustrierte Buch der hundert Vergnügungen hilft uns, auf elegante Weise dem Gedränge und Gehetze der Welt des angestrengten Schuftens und Shoppens zu entgehen und stattdessen in eine Welt der Freiheit einzutreten. Wenn wir im Sommer unter den Bäumen im Park ein Nickerchen machen oder am Strand einen Stein über das Wasser hüpfen lassen, wenn wir ohne Ziel durch die Stadt schlendern, wenn wir im Regen spazieren gehen, wenn wir auf dem Klo sitzend unseren Gedanken nachhängen, dann beanspruchen wir damit unser Recht darauf, so zu leben, wie wir wollen. »Das Buch der hundert Vergnügungen« ist eine charmante Kapitalismuskritik und das perfekte Geschenk für jeden Müßiggänger.

The Idler is a biannual magazine that celebrates freedom, fun and the fine art of doing nothing. The Idler team believe that idleness is unjustly criticised in modern society when it is, in fact, a vital component of a happy life. Each issue we bring you a unique and varied collection of features, reviews, interviews, short stories, photography, cartoons, art--and lots of humour. We aim to comfort and inspire you with uplifting philosophy, satire, and reflection, as well as giving practical information to help in the quest for the ultimate idle life.

Is Protest worth the effort? This new issue of THE IDLER looks at the history and the present of Protest movements and asks whether there is any point in taking to the streets, or whether a more effective form of revolt might be to make a revolution in your everyday life.TOM HODGKINSON argues that anti-war marches are futile and that much more can be achieved by lying in bed doing nothing... JAY GRIFFITHS meets the Papuan tribe who protested against their oppressors by eating them... we celebrate the example of JOHN and YOKO who lay in bed for world peace... we present a conversation with grand man of Britpop, MR JARVIS COCKER... PENNY RIMBAUD reveals the meaning of life... DAN KIERAN breaks some laws and CORINNE MEIER meets three slacking film directors. Yes, THE IDLER is revolting.With new writing from TOBY LITT, MICHAEL SMITH and ALBERT COSSERY, the 93-year-old Parisian recluse, it must be our punkest issue ever.

L''art d''être libre est un véritable manifeste de résistance au monde contemporain. Dénigrant aussi bien les joies factices de la consommation que l''ennui qui s''est abattu sur le monde à la suite de décennies de recherche exclusive du profit, ce livre profondément joyeux nous appelle à redevenir des esprits autonomes, et enfin libres... Si vous aussi vous pensez que la vie moderne est absurde et contraignante, que vous avez remarqué que la compétition a remplacé la coopération ou que la fraternité a fait place à la convoitise... alors ce livre est fait pour vous et va très probablement changer votre vie !