"Tis better to have loafed and lost than never to have loafed at all."
James Thurber

Events

Tom to Porlock

It was where the romantic poets were wont to ramble, and now Idler editor Tom Hodgkinson is setting up a stall there, this Friday, that’s 10 September. He will be at the Porlock Village Hall, selling books and t-shirts, with over 20 other local authors. The event starts at 10am and goes on till 4pm. It’s part of the 8th annual Porlock Arts Fair.

Tom to Hampstead

Come to the wonderful new England’s Lane Bookshop in Hampstead on Thursday, 7 October, for a talk on Love, Liberty and Idleness, with ukulele accompaniment. The event starts at 7pm and tickets are a mere £3, which includes a glass of wine. You can book by calling the shop on 0207 586 9764, or email them at info@englandslanebooks.co.uk.

Tom to Brighton

Come down to the Brighton Dome on Saturday 18 December for another outing of ‘Songs of Love, Liberty and Idleness’ as part of Brighton Ukulele Day. Click here to buy tickets. The show starts at 6pm, and tickets cost just £5.

freedom manifesto

Download and print your own version of the freedom manifesto by clicking here.

piggie

This Little Piggie Stayed at Home

Download the Idler Price List, listing all the books we sell, plus t-shirts and other stuff.

The Great Idler Giveaway, Friday 15 December, 1pm

11 December 2006

As an act of Christmas goodwill and charity, representatives of the Idler magazine will be giving out free copies of Idler 35: War On Work to the poor harried workers of London this Friday, 15 December.

The Idler Salvation Army will be hanging around outside Liverpool Street Station at lunchtime. If you would like to help us give copies of the Idler to those in need, then please join us. In these dark times we all need mental sustenance.

 

Books

idler 42 Smash the system

Idler 43: Back to the Land

The new 'Back to the Land' issue features a major interview with David Hockney who has also contributed two sketches. Essayists include Paul Kingsnorth, Harry Mount, Penny Rimbaud, Jay Griffiths and Simon Fairlie,.
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idler 42 Smash the system

Idler 42: Smash the System

350 page Idler, a collection of radical essays by Alain De Botton, Penny Rimbaud, John Mitchinson, Jay Griffiths, Paul Kingsnorth, Oliver James. Published 17 June 2009. In Stock. Order now.
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idle parent

The Idle Parent

Order Now. Published 5th March. "Wise, funny, practical and personal, The Idle Parent puts the fun back into parenting." Oliver James
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book of idle pleasures

The Book of Idle Pleasures

A sumptuous compendium of one hundred pleasures, each lovingly described and illustrated.
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how to be free

How to be Free by Tom Hodgkinson

"Packed with wit, anecdotes and ideas ..." Word Magazine
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how to be idle

How to be Idle by Tom Hodgkinson

Take control of your life and reclaim your right to be idle.
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i fought the law

I Fought the Law by Dan Kieran

"Very funny...should be at the top of Tony Blair's reading list." The Times
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how to fish

How to Fish by Chris Yates

Recommended to anyone interested in either angling or doing nothing.
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cloudspotter's guide

The Cloudspotter's Guide by Gavin Pretor-Pinney

"Read this eye-opening and amusingly written book" Daily Mail
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