Listen free for 30 days
Listen with offer
-
Less
- Stop Buying So Much Rubbish: How Having Fewer, Better Things Can Make Us Happier
- Narrated by: Patrick Grant
- Length: 11 hrs and 55 mins
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
$0.00 for first 30 days
Buy Now for £12.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Summary
‘Utterly brilliant. We all need to read this book’ CLAUDIA WINKLEMAN
'Patrick’s book is fascinating and sobering and makes a compelling argument for going back to basics’ JOE LYCETT
We used to care a lot about our clothes. We didn’t have many but those we had were important to us. We’d cherish them, repair them and pass them on. And making them provided fulfilling work for millions of skilled people locally.
Today the average person has nearly five times as many clothes as they did just 50 years ago. Last year, 100 billion garments were produced worldwide, most made from oil, 30% of which were not even sold, and the equivalent of one bin lorry full of clothing is dumped in landfill or burned every single second. Our wardrobes are full to bursting with clothes we never wear so why do we keep buying more?
In this passionate and revealing book about loving clothes but despairing of a broken global system Patrick Grant considers the crisis of consumption and quality in fashion, and how we might make ourselves happier by rediscovering the joy of living with fewer, better-quality things.
Weaving in his personal journey through fashion, clothing and the other everyday objects in his life, this is a book that celebrates craftsmanship, making things with care, buying things with thought and valuing everything we own. It explains how rethinking our relationship with clothing could kickstart a thriving new local economy bringing prosperity and hope back to places in our country that have lost out to globalisation, offshore manufacturing and to the madness of price and quantity being the only things that matter.
'Presents a new way of thinking about the things we buy' KEITH BRYMER-JONES
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
What listeners say about Less
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Andrew Steed
- 16-05-24
Really excellent- a book written with skill and care
This audiobook (well read by the author ) touches on many topics in an interesting and thought provoking way. Part memoir, part social and economic history , part philosophy and part economic and industrial strategy. We’d certainly have a happier and more equitable society if politicians and manufacturers took to heart his thoughts on public procurement, quality versus cost, sustainability and reshoring manufacturing…..and that’s just a part of the book. Well worth a listen.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Crafty
- 07-06-24
How easy it is to practice many of the ideas in here
I enjoyed listening to Patrick and his evident joy in life.
I am now Eighty and many of the ideas he proposes are what I grew up with.
What he says about the purchase of PPE from China during lockdown vindicates what I felt at the time, but how do ordinary people influence change in the circumstances?
I really empathised with the talk about fabrics in the past. I recall the lovely dresses I made in the sixties with vogue patterns and even the coats I made for myself. Fortunately I know my way to Linton Tweeds.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Charlotte
- 17-06-24
The way we should be living to benefit both ourselves , our future generations and our planet
This book is both fascinating and devastating ! This book has changed my life and thus subsequently the lives of my daughters . I wish I didn’t love my job as a horticulturalist but if I didn’t I’d be trying how to retrain as a skilled worker . I never thought of my love for sewing from a primary school child could lead to a job and that of which could actually benefit the planet and be respected by society . It’s so important this book. It’s opened my eyes and I will be passing my love of sewing to my children and certainly ‘buying better and less’ to teach my children that we should be doing that if nothing else . Very well read too !
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 15-06-24
Inspiring
What a wonderful way to think about the world. Really enjoyed this, well done.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Dan Leake
- 09-06-24
Illuminating and Inspiring
I'd never heard of Patrick Grant before listening to this. Shining a light on the incredibly wasteful fast fashion industry, as well as discussing the real value found in quality work, and products. Weaving stories of his own journey and history of garment making - this is a fantastic read, chock full of great information and inspiring points of action.
Im off to make a spoon!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- scrib
- 07-06-24
A must listen for anyone who wears clothes
Fascinating and compelling dive into what we wear and how it’s made the UK poorer. Also an anthem for the rising independent artisan makers
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- M BeeH
- 10-05-24
Fascinating & thought provoking
Excellently written and read! I learned a vast amount. What Patrick Grant says makes huge sense and he has the courage, passion and conviction to put his money ( and energy) where his mouth is… the government would be wise to take heed.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Varzoth
- 10-06-24
Very enjoyable and enlightening
A great book about waste in modern society and it's impact on the world and the people in it. I enjoyed every minute and intend to take action on the messages within.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jim Fallon
- 28-06-24
More!
Really enjoyed this, to the point of wanting more! Will look forward to listening to it again. Even the Acknowledgements were a heartfelt listen. Thank you for giving or reminding us of this perspective.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 15-05-24
Manifesto for a new way of living
Amen, amen and I say again amen - thank you Patrick for your manifesto for a new way of living that benefits all humans and the planet - you are a national treasure x
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!