The Velvet Monkey Wrench

Rating:
Summary: A good read spoiled by poor quality printing.
Review: A fun book to read, but it's a shame that the printing and reproduction of the illustrations is not up to the quality of the text. The original publication had sharp, clear print and clean, narrow lineweights in the graphics. In this edition, much of the illustration text cannot be deciphered. I recommend finding a used copy of the original edition with multicolor cover.

Rating:
Summary: Illustrated with loving care
Review: I have an original, July 73 First Edition, and I've never finished the text because of the illustrations. I always get stopped at one. My copy is clear and sharp and that's a good thing because the excusite illustrations have miles and miles of tiny detailed work. Too fun. Much in the same style as R. Crumb, but more positive, the illustrations and the book nicely combine to reflect the late 60's, early 70's sentiment.

If you've seen the"...keep VW alive..." books and marveled at the illustrations, and the light hearted words of John Muir as he helps you fix your bug, you'll love this. I do.

Rating:
Summary: Back In Print
Review: I notice the reviews for The Velvet Monkey Wrench say they reviewed an out of print edition. This book is back in print, the magenta edition as pictured, with an afterword by me, Eve Muir. Richard Polese of Ocean Tree Publications writes: "A revolutionary classic of social philosophy --- and just in time --- to challenge the assumptions of greed and corporate capitalism that have left us yearning for a more human system." I happened to have it the other day at the park and remembered: it's also quite funny.

Rating:
Summary: Back In Print
Review: I notice the reviews for The Velvet Monkey Wrench say they reviewed an out of print edition. This book is back in print, the magenta edition as pictured, with an afterword by me, Eve Muir. Richard Polese of Ocean Tree Publications writes: "A revolutionary classic of social philosophy --- and just in time --- to challenge the assumptions of greed and corporate capitalism that have left us yearning for a more human system." I happened to have it the other day at the park and remembered: it's also quite funny.

Rating:
Summary: Glad it's back in print!
Review: I used this book in teaching social philosophy for a number of years. The author applies an engineer's mentality to carefully laying out a detailed design for a bioregional utopia. One should not be put off by the 60's era hippie writing style and mixture of some eastern obscurities. The illustrations by Aschawnden are also excellent. This book is provocative and well worth reading. I'm glad it is back in print!

Rating:
Summary: its great
Review: just read it its a little hard to get through, but definitely worth it WOW

Rating:
Summary: Very insightful look into our society.
Review: Muir gives the reader a seventies perspective that one can take with them in the nineties. He had a extremely accurate insight as to where society was headed and what direction it should take. Very thought provoking.