Pete May's true life tale, There's a Hippo in my Cistern, refreshingly satirises the often deadly serious and worthy world of the environmental movement . . . An enjoyable book, which is a lot of fun and manages to make some important an serious points along the way.

'Six months ago Pete May thought that 'Carbon Footprint' were a band who did a couple of Peel Sessions. That being said, the lad can write, and all on a pedal powered laptop...' - Phill Jupitus

As a rabid West Ham fan and writer for Loaded (as well as former Time Out gossip columnist), May lived the planet-killing laddish lifestyle. Then he met eco-bunny Nicola, who wore a "peculiarly ethnic brown waistcoat covered in reindeers and snowdrop patterns". In telling the story of their relationship, May discovers the hell of compost loos and pokes good-natured fun at the earnest Greens he meets. Funny and rather heart-warming.

From "Loaded" dad to green dad. One man's misadventures on the eco frontline. Football-mad, beer-guzzling journalist meets environmental activist girl. Can he change? Yes, sort of.

The hilarious true-life tale of one man's journey from self-confessed planet-killing lad to eco-friendly, green-crusader Dad set against the backdrop of Cool Britannia, Blair's Britain and the rise of the green movement. Back in the nineties, Loaded journalist, Pete May was your normal twenty-something male: a football mad, beer guzzling, Dr Who watching lad's lad, quite happy surrounding himself with countless pizza boxes, beer cans and other environmentally unfriendly consumer items. Recycling to Pete was a debate about whether he should turn his socks inside out and reuse them. Then one day, out of nowhere, along came eco bunny Nicola -- a greener than green environmental activist. Could two people so different really fall for each other? Would Pete ever change his ways and sign up to the green lifestyle of composting loos, freezing cold houses, multiple jumper wearing, chicken rearing, recycling, cycling, energy saving and general self-sufficiency? This is the charming and funny true-life tale of one man's struggle to grapple with the good life, go green and get the girl.

2008-06-20 Just couldn't put it down

Pete has a great skill at story telling and moving easily from one subject to another in a way that made me sit up at night, eyes almost closing but saying to myself, 'just one more chapter'.

Very enjoyable, especially as i could relate to the memories of those cold evenings when I've sat in a flat with old sash windows allowing a gale to blow through the lounge.

It also made me want to go on holiday more in the UK!