In 2008, average, ordinary family guy Dave Bruno decided to winnow down everything he owned to merely 100 things and to unhook himself from the intravenous drip of consumerism that seemed to be fueling his life. Media around the world started taking immediate notice of Dave and the grass-roots movement he was starting. The culture of consumerism has created a continuous rushing to acquire ever more stuff, but without realising any gain in life satisfaction. "The 100 Thing Challenge" is meant to be a cause for pause. Dave Bruno offers compelling anecdotes and practical advice readers can use to resist consumerism and live a more meaningful life. Each chapter introduces a theme and presents a conflict between that theme and the culture of consumerism. In addition to his own experience, Dave collects and shares the thoughts and experiences of others who are fighting consumerism in their lives. Each chapter concludes by describing in practical terms how an average person can resist consumerism in order to engage the theme in more spiritually and socially meaningful ways. "The 100 Thing Challenge" provides an opportunity for readers to consider how positive life changes can occur when an individual chooses to defiantly hop off the treadmill of consumerism and start living a saner and more satisfying life.
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"Living simply is only an ideal until someone like Bruno gets particular. The way he got particular should make everyone think--hard, which is a very good thing."--Mark Noll, Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History, University of Notre Dame
About the Author
Dave Bruno is a successful entrepreneur, former church staff member, family guy whose life has been shaped, frustrated, and sometimes improved by material possessions. He chronicles his resistance to the culture of consumerism at his blog, www.guynameddave.com. As an entrepreneur, Dave co-founded and helped ChristianAudio become a leading publisher of Christian audiobooks. Dave received his B.A. in Bible and Theology from Moody Bible Institute and his M.A. in Religion in American Life from Wheaton College.
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21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By Neil Walker
Format:Paperback
While I absolutely agree with the sentiments expressed, the book itself is of little practical use.
As a recent convert to de-cluttering my life I was very keen to read the book and see what other adjustments
I could make. However the author spends the first third of the book finding loopholes for not ridding himself of possessions.
For example he does not get rid of any of the possessions which are shared with his wife or children and considers all his books as 'one library' etc - you get the drift.
In essence if you follow his rules you have probably (if you are interested enough in the subject) already have completed the challenge before buying this book.
The whole thing is also sprinkled with a good dose of Christianity which if this is not your thing will start to make you feel nauseous pretty quickly.
As a recent convert to de-cluttering my life I was very keen to read the book and see what other adjustments
I could make. However the author spends the first third of the book finding loopholes for not ridding himself of possessions.
For example he does not get rid of any of the possessions which are shared with his wife or children and considers all his books as 'one library' etc - you get the drift.
In essence if you follow his rules you have probably (if you are interested enough in the subject) already have completed the challenge before buying this book.
The whole thing is also sprinkled with a good dose of Christianity which if this is not your thing will start to make you feel nauseous pretty quickly.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Dave the author is a really lucky man. He lives in San Diego, works 10 minutes away from the ocean and has a happy family. But Dave had a problem. He had begun to feel that his possessions were ruling him, not him ruling his possessions. So, Dave set himself a challenge.
He decided that over the course of a year he would edit his life down to 100 things and see if he could manage at that level for another year. He blogged his intentions, started purging things from his life and got himself a book deal. We should all be so lucky.
I have read this book (on Kindle, I'm trying to purge my house, too) twice now and I like it. It's not high faluting, not preachy, not prescriptive, it's just the tale of a guy who sounds fun to hang out with but who recognises that a man is NOT defined by his possessions. Dave himself says that the 100 thing chalenge is not for everyone, that he couldn't persuade his daughters to purge their dolls without feeling like Stalin (that's a funny part) and that he wasn't after starting a movement, but the modesty of the guy is part of the charm. I appreciated Dave's psychological take on why we have stuff we don't use; is it reinvention, nostalgia for time sthat never were or aspirational? I like that he lists what he kept and is honext enough to admit to the things he shed and should never have. All in a friendly conversational style that means if I lived in San Diego I'd ask him over for a beer.
I can't do a 100 thing challenge, but I can head for a cleaner tidier house and Dave helps me there. A little voice of encouragement goes a long way. Thank you, Dave.
He decided that over the course of a year he would edit his life down to 100 things and see if he could manage at that level for another year. He blogged his intentions, started purging things from his life and got himself a book deal. We should all be so lucky.
I have read this book (on Kindle, I'm trying to purge my house, too) twice now and I like it. It's not high faluting, not preachy, not prescriptive, it's just the tale of a guy who sounds fun to hang out with but who recognises that a man is NOT defined by his possessions. Dave himself says that the 100 thing chalenge is not for everyone, that he couldn't persuade his daughters to purge their dolls without feeling like Stalin (that's a funny part) and that he wasn't after starting a movement, but the modesty of the guy is part of the charm. I appreciated Dave's psychological take on why we have stuff we don't use; is it reinvention, nostalgia for time sthat never were or aspirational? I like that he lists what he kept and is honext enough to admit to the things he shed and should never have. All in a friendly conversational style that means if I lived in San Diego I'd ask him over for a beer.
I can't do a 100 thing challenge, but I can head for a cleaner tidier house and Dave helps me there. A little voice of encouragement goes a long way. Thank you, Dave.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Jodi-Hummingbird
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
This is by far one of the most boring, disappointing, rambling and drawn-out books I have ever read. The first 3 chapters each said exactly the same thing as each other and the rest of the book was little better. The content of the book could probably be summarised easily in 3 pages, with the actual information for readers about reducing the junk in their own lives on one page...if that. It needs the most enormous edit.
This book offered very little practical advice. This book is about the author, his website and how people have reacted to it, his christian-audio business, and his opinions on religion and his sporting equipment and clothing etc. None of this information was remotely interesting or engaging.
It is bland bland bland. The title doesn't reflect the content at all; this is a book focused on promoting its author.
I also don't understand why the author felt motivated to comment that all domesticated cats are easily replaceable, and that cats are never fully satisfied with anything. (As I write this my two very non-replaceable cats are sunning themselves outside near a window, all sprawled out with legs in the air, and they just couldn't look any happier or more content. They spend most of each day in similar happy states!)
Reading the author's lists of his 100 items was coma inducing...and the idea of actually writing my own at some stage didn't appeal in the least either. He also seemed to give up very very little, as he counted the family items, all of them, as off limits! Despite this, the tone of the book was quite annoyingly smug I have to say. I only borrowed this one from the library though, so the poor quality wasn't a big deal.
If you want to be inspired to have a big clean out of your junk, choose another book! Or, just go with the 100 thing idea and do it all yourself. (Note that 'a library' is counted as one item! I must admit, I did like that idea as my first second and third thoughts on considering an 100 item challenge were all about book love!)
I'm going to check out The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide: How to Declutter, Organize, and Simplify Your Life now instead.
This book offered very little practical advice. This book is about the author, his website and how people have reacted to it, his christian-audio business, and his opinions on religion and his sporting equipment and clothing etc. None of this information was remotely interesting or engaging.
It is bland bland bland. The title doesn't reflect the content at all; this is a book focused on promoting its author.
I also don't understand why the author felt motivated to comment that all domesticated cats are easily replaceable, and that cats are never fully satisfied with anything. (As I write this my two very non-replaceable cats are sunning themselves outside near a window, all sprawled out with legs in the air, and they just couldn't look any happier or more content. They spend most of each day in similar happy states!)
Reading the author's lists of his 100 items was coma inducing...and the idea of actually writing my own at some stage didn't appeal in the least either. He also seemed to give up very very little, as he counted the family items, all of them, as off limits! Despite this, the tone of the book was quite annoyingly smug I have to say. I only borrowed this one from the library though, so the poor quality wasn't a big deal.
If you want to be inspired to have a big clean out of your junk, choose another book! Or, just go with the 100 thing idea and do it all yourself. (Note that 'a library' is counted as one item! I must admit, I did like that idea as my first second and third thoughts on considering an 100 item challenge were all about book love!)
I'm going to check out The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide: How to Declutter, Organize, and Simplify Your Life now instead.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
The 100 Thing Challenge by Dave Bruno
A thoroughly enjoyable read. It is more than tidying up and de-cluttering, really makes you stop and think about what is of value.
Published 25 days ago by Margaret McKelvie
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great read
Dave Bruno's self deprecating humour and pragmatic approach make this a book joy to read. It does not read like a "self help" book yet the reader finds himself compelled to try out... Read more
Published on 19 May 2011 by Paul B
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just What I Needed.
I think that many people do not think there is anything wrong with buying and acquiring stuff, and believe that it is their very right to spend their money on what they want. Read more
Published on 14 April 2011 by Ami Wager
1.0 out of 5 stars
So.......so........slow
I was very much looking forward to reading this book and even managed to time it in with Lent. Curious to see what was given up and how it impacted on day-to-day life I began... Read more
Published on 13 April 2011 by ksb76
1.0 out of 5 stars
Very poor
The whole premise of this book is a bit of a joke. Middle class American guy is going to live with only 100 items BUT books don't count, clothes don't count, toys don't count, the... Read more
Published on 12 April 2011 by R W Taylor
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