Green Review: Whole Green Catalog

Today I’ve got a green book review for you and I’ll tell you right off the bat that the Whole Green Catalog is a must read, must own green book.

PRODUCT: WHOLE GREEN CATALOG: 1,000 Best Things for You and The Earth edited by Michael W. Robbins with an introduction by Renée Loux and a foreword by Bill McKibben from by Rodale Books.

BASICS: This is more a green catalog than a book you read chapter by chapter, although, you may find yourself reading it like a chapter book because it’s just that good. The catalog is meant to be a resource guide to living a greener, more sustainable life. The catalog is packed with over 1,000 well-done photographs and illustrations and so many green tips your head will spin.

COST: Available September 1, 2009 - $29.99

ECO-PERKS: Besides the obvious – this book can help you make smarter and greener choices, it’s also green to the core, made with 100% post-consumer waste materials. Also the information seems right on target. There are some green books that make me go “Hmmmm?!” but this book, so far as I can tell is up to date and offers correct information for consumers. It’s no wonder this book is up to date either, there were plenty of high profile green experts involved in the making of this catalog.

WHAT I THINK:

Let me start off by saying that I read an insane amount of green books. I’m also somewhat of a green book snob. I’m not a fan of green books that are stale and dull but I’m also not a fan of this whole new hipster style of writing I’ve been seeing in a lot of green books. I want a green book to offer me information that’s personable but not too chatty or “green is the new black cool”. Am I asking too much? Who knows, but this book lived up to my expectations perfectly…

1. It didn’t put me to sleep.
2. It didn’t alienate me with hipster speak.
3. It offered me NEW green information I can use.

That last point above is important. I’ve been involved in green living since before my son was born, some 8+ odd years. I’ve been writing professionally in the green genre for a good long while. While I don’t claim to be miss know it all green girl, it’s rare if I come across a book with a ton 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. 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. Sections are broken into easy tips, product advice, images, and cool little FYI tips scattered about.

The website rocks!: 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:

Five out of five little trees! I review a ton of green products that I like, but it’s pretty 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 great 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 $30.

Check it out at Whole Green Catalog.