Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Review of The Scavengers' Manifesto

The Scavengers' Manifesto
reviewed on
Helpful Score: 1


If I had to sum up the idea behind this book in a sentence, it is that our society needs to change from one in which we feel a desire to have something and immediately go out and buy it, to one in which we have a need and fill it (if at all possible) without a trip to a retail store; this often involves waiting until something comes along by accident. But ah, the delight of finding something useful or desirable by the sidewalk in the course of taking a walk, or at an estate sale, or even when visiting a dumpster!

This is one of those books that--presumably for the sake of extending their length--irritatingly repeat a lot in a formulaic manner. There are pages and pages of argument in favor of scavenging and even animals that scavenge that I could have done without. That said, on the whole, I found it very interesting and helpful. It turns out that the authors' definition of "scavenger" is very broad, encompassing even people who clip coupons and/or buy things at yard sales--in fact, anyone who refuses to buy things at full retail price. The personal experiences of the authors, who are husband and wife and both born scavengers, are fun to read and inspiring. The suggestions of ways to acquire what we need are helpful, as are the Web listings.

I liked this book so much that I intended to keep it for reference and inspiration, but then decided to let others benefit from it, too, so as soon as it chooses to come out of hiding, I will post it.