The New Complete Book of Self-Sufficiency: The classic guide for realists and dreamers

by John Seymour

Other authorsWill Sutherland

Hardcover, 2004

Status

Available

Call number

158

Genres

Collections

Nonfiction, General Reference, Shire Albums, Agriculture, Instructional, My book pile

Publication

Dorling Kindersley (2004), Edition: Rev Ed, 312 pages

Description

Now revised and fully updated, this enduring classic is still the key reference to living off the land. Packed with practical information, tried-and-tested tips and invaluable nuggets of advice, Seymour's visionary handbook explains how to reap the harvest, respect the land, stay healthy and waste nothing. Now with 150 new artworks and with the classic illustrations redrawn in full colour, this edition features new material on ethical living, GM plants, creating an urban garden, generating power from wind, water and the sun, and guidelines on making the break and changing your life. There is also information on everything from clearing land, planting and harvesting to feeding, clothing and sheltering yourself. An index and list of useful websites and addresses makes this an invaluable reference for anyone interested in pursuing the dream of self-sufficiency.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member AJBraithwaite

Just a wonderful book for anyone considering becoming self-sufficient, on a large or small scale.

3 more

LibraryThing member hellhound

Even though this book has been around a long time and is full of basic solid info.........it is still basic.

LibraryThing member mazirian

This is the kind of book that was useful before the internet. I'm not sure a reprint was needed. A more clever approach would have been to pare it back and point readers to more exhaustive resources on the web. I like the approach taken by "Urban Homestead" in this regard, which is a broad survey

of topics someone interested in self-sufficiency should know about with good leads for where to learn more. All that said, the book is still a good resource for providing broad overview of the topic.

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LibraryThing member Paul_S

Wonderful book. Informative illustrations and wide coverage of topics. Most topics are covered only briefly and serve more as a starting point than a comprehensive guide. The writing style is personal and author is very opinionated on everything and not shy of sharing. I'd prefer the guides to be

written more matter-of-factly.

The book ends with an admission that living in a group of people who specialise is better. This doesn't detract from the message: you'll be happier if you do more things for yourself.

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