The Rough Guide to Shopping with a Conscience 1

by Duncan Clark, Duncan Clark, Richie Unterberger

Addressing the impact of one's daily shopping habits on the planet, a thought-provoking resource examines the goods that we buy and use everyday--including clothing, cosmetics, food, energy, and imported goods--in terms of company policies and practices, fair trade, working conditions, free market globalization, and more. Original.

Genres: Nonfiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published February 19, 2007

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read on ethical shopping in a range of sectors. I was already very familiar with the topics discussed in the food and grocery section, but I found several interesting tidbits in many of the other sections. I appreciated all of the recommended resources and businesses to consider when shopping for anything from clothing to cars to home energy.

I must note that much of the information in this book is outdated, as it was written in 2007. Some of the companies listed no longer exist, and there are many new players in the "socially responsible and environmentally friendly" market.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can say that I honestly read this book cover-to-cover with the exception of the Index and the Money/Finance section. As for the latter, I decided that since I have no understanding of money beyond paying bills, I really didn't have enough knowledge to follow the chapter.

Anyway, I was left with only a few comments:

1. Andrew was right -- this is a book to keep with you and not return to the library. It's an excellent guide.

2. The book is not necessarily valuable so much for its ethical discussions of consumerism in different industries as its guides for more information. After every section, there were links for either more information on a specific topic, or for companies that are more ethically minded than the mainstream corporations we see daily. There's also an appendix of fair-trade certified companies.

3. The historian/scholar/critical thinker in me would like an endnotes section listing the references for all of the comments made in the ethical discussion sections. It often quoted what was being said by various sides on a topic, but it doesn't show references, which makes it hard to determine the source/context of the quote. Understandably, this is a guide to shopping that lays out some of the basic issues to keep in mind when consuming products/services; it's not meant to be a documented encyclopedia. But endnotes do increase credibility, regardless.

[Olive · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty basic, introductory stuff. great for what it is, though I was hoping for more.

[Meredith · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horribly disappointing. I was looking for a balanced, research-based discussion of ethical consumerism, and most of the book was an extremely biased, zealous, one-sided tome on how George W. Bush was the closest thing we've every had to an antiChrist (the book repeatedly refers to him as "our simplest president." I don't care if that's what the author thinks -- but I DO care that the book is presented as a balanced reference guide, and it simply isn't balanced), and how the world is full of unethical people. And a lot of research and factoids won't hide narrow-minded presentation.

Not that it didn't have some interesting points. I thought the chapters on parent companies were extremely enlightening -- Did YOU know that Phillip Morris owns Kraft? -- and I appreciated that the author said that you didn't have to boycott every unethical company to be an ethical consumer. But he most of what he said didn't really support that idea. And he didn't really address any of the counter arguments to his viewpoints -- which is what I was really looking for. I think I'll stick with Pollan's views on consumerism.

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good guide for those consumers who are trying to do their part to save the planet - both in terms of the environment and in terms of the other, less fortunate inhabitants. Each chapter has some background information about the topic - e.g. sweatshops or G.M.O. foods - and then some ways to avoid the bad and favor the good. Some of the web site addresses are already out of date, but overall, a good reference.

[Sandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such an informative read. I recommend it to everyone who wants to be a better consumer. Beware... it may ruin the joy you have for ceratin things once you find out how terrible they are to the environment and/or animal/human rights. The good news is it will help you make wiser choices so you can help to be part of the solution instead of the problem.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a book to read and return to the library (like I'm going to do). This is a book to keep handy so you can use it regularly for specific resources and ideas of changes to make in your life.

[Danell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has some good information in it - better book to buy than to borrow from the library.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm loving this book so far. Very informative and insightful-making me rethink choices I make on a daily basis!

[Stephani · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is packed with so much useful information. Really reinforces why making good decisions with our purchases is so inportant.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great great resource, and I recommend it thoroughly.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning of my vegetarianism

[Josette Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoying this one greatly. It offers a (decently) balanced discussion of some of the issues that come up with how we shop, eat, etc. as world citizens.

[Latasha · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't even browse this book, it was too dense cover to cover explanations. I sound lazy but I really enjoy browsing "how to" books rather than reading essays.

[MsBrie]

Ack, the library wants it back already. I may just have to purchase this book.