Review summary: Whole Green Catalog is a must read, must own green book geared toward individuals, families, and both men and women – rare.
Product: Whole Green Catalog: 1000 Best Things for You and the Earth
In general: This is not so much read cover to cover green book as it is a green catalog / green tips book. However, you may find yourself reading it like a chapter book because it’s just that good. The catalog is set up as a resource guide for anyone who wants to live a greener, more sustainable life. The catalog is packed with over 1,000 nice photographs and illustrations and so many green tips your head will spin.
Cost: $17.86
Eco-perks of this book: Besides the obvious; this catalog is packed with green tips, it’s also literally eco-friendly. The book is made with 100% post-consumer waste materials. Additionally all of the green information seems right on target and up to date. There are some green books that make me go “Hmmmm?!” but this book, so far as I can tell offers correct information for consumers. This is not a huge shock as plenty of high profile green experts were involved in the making of this catalog.
What I think:
I read an insane amount of green books and it’s hard to impress me. Many green books either rehash old info which is useless to me or (as I’ve seen a lot lately) have an, “I’m greener and better than you sort of attitude.” I like green book that offer me information that is personable but not too chatty AND that don’t make the average person trying to go green feel like an idiot. Am I asking too much? Who knows, but this book lived up to my expectations perfectly…
- It didn’t put me to sleep.
- It didn’t alienate me with green hipster speak.
- It offered me NEW green information I can use.
Point 3 above is very important. I’ve been involved in green living since before my son was born, some 9+ years. I’ve been writing professionally in the green genre for a good long while. I’m not perfectly green by any means, and there’s always a lot I can learn, but it’s very rare that I come across a book with a lot of brand new-to-me green info. The Whole Green Catalog actually had tons of green tips and products that I’d never heard of. That said, I learned a lot of new things from the catalog which rocked my world.
How the book is set up: The book consists of an excellent forward and intro followed by 20 sections about various green living topics; Cleaning House, Eating Well, Green Power, Smarter Shelter, Ready to Wear, In Motion, Growing Greens, Bringing it Home, Closing the Circle, Working Green, Natural Beauty, Eco-Technology, Greater Outdoors, Round Trips, Next Generation, Playing Clean, Doing Well & Good, Natural Healing, Green Pet Care, and Green Creativity.
The image above shows how well this book is laid out. While you can’t see the words in the image above, I hope that you can see how each section is highlighted at the top of the page for easy skimming; each section is further made simple to browse due to green headers and dark text; plus sections are broken into easy tips, product advice, images, and cool little FYI tips scattered about.
The website is useful too: The Whole Green Catalog is super slick and easy to find your way around. The site offers sample tips from each and every chapter including links to the products discussed. There’s also a blog, info about the book, and an excellent green glossary.
Overall score:
Five out of five little trees! I review many green products that I like, but it’s rare that I give something the full five points. No matter how much I like something there’s usually a con. It’s also rare I suggest you buy a book, because the library is a greener choice. However this book deserves a great score and a space on your home bookshelf.
This book is excellent for folks who are new to green living but it’s also handy for those well-versed in green living. There’s a perfect balance of tips vs.product suggestions and it’s so easy to browse when and how you want. This is a must own green book in my opinion and well worth the $.
Check it out at Whole Green Catalog or buy Whole Green Catalog: 1000 Best Things for You and the Earth
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Hmm, 5 trees…
I’ll have to check it out. I haven’t heard of it.
I told you about it! Geez. Guess you don’t listen to me
JK – really check it out, you’ll like it.
Are you sure you told me about it? I normally remember that kind of thing.
Maybe I’m getting old.
Remember, when we were talking about Ecoholic, and I said, “I like this one better!”