Skip to content

How to Be Idle: A Loafer's Manifesto
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

How to Be Idle: A Loafer's Manifesto Paperback - 2007

by Tom Hodgkinson

In 24 chapters representing each hour of the day, this book will coax out the loafer in even the most diligent and schedule-obsessed worker. Line drawings throughout.

Summary

As Oscar Wilde said, doing nothing is hard work. The Protestant work ethic has most of us in its thrall, and the idlers of this world have the odds stacked against them. But here, at last, is a book that can help. From Tom Hodgkinson, editor of the Idler, comes HOW TO BE IDLE, an antidote to the work-obsessed culture which puts so many obstacles between ourselves and our dreams. Hodgkinson presents us with a laid-back argument for a new contract between routine and chaos, an argument for experiencing life to the full and living in the moment. Ranging across a host of issues that may affect the modern idler – sleep, the world of work, pleasure and hedonism, relationships, bohemian living, revolution – he draws on the writings of such well-known apologists for idleness as Dr Johnson, Oscar Wilde, Robert Louis Stevenson and Nietzsche. His message is clear: take control of your life and reclaim your right to be idle.

From the rear cover

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.

Details

  • Title How to Be Idle: A Loafer's Manifesto
  • Author Tom Hodgkinson
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition Reprint
  • Pages 304
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Harper Perennial
  • Date 2007-04-24
  • Illustrated Yes
  • Features Bibliography, Illustrated, Table of Contents
  • ISBN 9780060779696 / 0060779691
  • Weight 0.59 lbs (0.27 kg)
  • Dimensions 7.16 x 5.02 x 0.9 in (18.19 x 12.75 x 2.29 cm)
  • Library of Congress subjects Laziness
  • Dewey Decimal Code 158

More Copies for Sale

How to Be Idle: A Loafer's Manifesto
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

How to Be Idle: A Loafer's Manifesto

by Hodgkinson, Tom

  • Used
  • Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780060779696 / 0060779691
Quantity Available
1
Seller
State College, Pennsylvania, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$2.50
$5.49 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Harper Perennial, 2007-04-24. Paperback. Good. 0.7600 in x 7.1300 in x 4.8800 in. Mild general wear. Pages clean. Binding sound.
Item Price
$2.50
$5.49 shipping to USA
How to Be Idle: A Loafer's Manifesto
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

How to Be Idle: A Loafer's Manifesto

by Hodgkinson, Tom

  • Used
  • Very Good
Condition
Used - Very Good
Edition
Reprint
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780060779696 / 0060779691
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.29
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Harper Perennial. Reprint. Very Good. Very Good. Ship within 24hrs. Satisfaction 100% guaranteed. APO/FPO addresses supported
Item Price
$5.29
FREE shipping to USA
How to Be Idle: A Loafer's Manifesto
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

How to Be Idle: A Loafer's Manifesto

by Hodgkinson, Tom

  • Used
  • Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780060779696 / 0060779691
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Houston, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.49
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Harper Perennial, 2007-04-24. Paperback. Good. 78x13x113.
Item Price
$5.49
FREE shipping to USA
How to Be Idle: A Loafer's Manifesto

How to Be Idle: A Loafer's Manifesto

by Hodgkinson, Tom

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780060779696 / 0060779691
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.06
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Harper Perennial, 2007. Paperback. Acceptable. Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$6.06
FREE shipping to USA
How to Be Idle: A Loafer's Manifesto

How to Be Idle: A Loafer's Manifesto

by Hodgkinson, Tom

  • Used
  • Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780060779696 / 0060779691
Quantity Available
9
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.06
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Harper Perennial, 2007. Paperback. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$6.06
FREE shipping to USA
How to Be Idle: A Loafer's Manifesto

How to Be Idle: A Loafer's Manifesto

by Hodgkinson, Tom

  • Used
  • as new
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780060779696 / 0060779691
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.06
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Harper Perennial, 2007. Paperback. As New. Disclaimer:An apparently unread copy in perfect condition. Dust cover is intact; pages are clean and are not marred by notes or folds of any kind. At ThriftBooks, our motto is: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$6.06
FREE shipping to USA
How to Be Idle: A Loafer's Manifesto

How to Be Idle: A Loafer's Manifesto

by Hodgkinson, Tom

  • Used
  • Very Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780060779696 / 0060779691
Quantity Available
7
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.06
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Harper Perennial, 2007. Paperback. Very Good. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$6.06
FREE shipping to USA
How to Be Idle: A Loafer's Manifesto

How to Be Idle: A Loafer's Manifesto

by Hodgkinson, Tom

  • Used
  • Very Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780060779696 / 0060779691
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.06
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Harper Perennial, 2007. Paperback. Very Good. Former library book; May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$6.06
FREE shipping to USA
How to Be Idle: A Loafer's Manifesto

How to Be Idle: A Loafer's Manifesto

by Hodgkinson, Tom

  • Used
  • Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780060779696 / 0060779691
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.06
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Harper Perennial, 2007. Paperback. Good. Disclaimer:A copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact, and the cover is intact. The spine may show signs of wear. Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include previous owner inscriptions. An ex-library book and may have standard library stamps and/or stickers. At ThriftBooks, our motto is: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$6.06
FREE shipping to USA
How to Be Idle : A Loafer's Manifesto
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

How to Be Idle : A Loafer's Manifesto

by Hodgkinson, Tom

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780060779696 / 0060779691
Quantity Available
4
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$7.40
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
HarperCollins Publishers. Used - Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
$7.40
FREE shipping to USA