book data
115 ratings,
4.46
average rating, 22 reviews
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published
March 17th 2003
by DK ADULT
binding
Hardcover, 312 pages
isbn
0789493322
(isbn13: 9780789493323)
description
The Self Sufficient Life and How to Live It is the only book that teaches all the skills needed to live independently in harmony with the land harness...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 264)
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avg 4.46
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
Read in December, 2007
John Seymour outlines and describes the steps one can take to a more self-sufficient and, by his account, fulfilling lifestyle.
The brilliance of this book really comes out in its scope. Seymour details the start to such a life on a ranging scale - a home vegetable garden, a community plot, or a five acre farm. Possible plans, common pitfalls and the basic how-to's are all described and illustrated: types of crops and when/where to plant them; how to care for livestock and how to ...more
The brilliance of this book really comes out in its scope. Seymour details the start to such a life on a ranging scale - a home vegetable garden, a community plot, or a five acre farm. Possible plans, common pitfalls and the basic how-to's are all described and illustrated: types of crops and when/where to plant them; how to care for livestock and how to ...more
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I bought this book last year, and I constantly flip through it. Usually I pick it up when I'm feeling discontent with my life, and I want to daydream about chucking it all and running a farm. Will it ever happen? Maybe. To the degree that Seymour takes it? Not likely. I'm not slaughtering my own beef, or building a dry toilet. But his information about gardening and using the seasonal cycles seems entirely doable.
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Read in June, 2009
John Seymour first published this in 1976. Though it has gone through a couple revisions since, I would argue Seymour was way ahead of his time (i.e. encouraging folks to eschew plastic as much as possible so as to not feed the oil baron coffers). The book was almost like an encyclopedia, a reference for just about anything you might want to try. From raising the majority of your own food to skinning a rabbit and making beer, this book has an opinion about most of it. The illustrations were ...more
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Full of a little of everything to get you started down the road to living from the land. It's one of my resources for new ideas in the country!
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my secret/closet hippie in me coming out. This is a beautiful book to peruse and be inspired.
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Read in April, 2009
I didn't actually read this....I thumbed through it. But it is a DARN cool book...if you are going to live on some acreage and raise animals, etc. I did enjoy the garden info, and will, in the future find the preservation of food section useful. But...how to skin a rabbit or make wine or take care of cows...just didn't really fit into my interest categories right NOW.
recommends it for:
Luddites, DIYer
A must read before starting your own apocalypse cult. I think I may have discovered my new favorite word in this book, "Thunder Box". Best read while listening to this... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4s0nzsU1...
This book is crazy thorough, covers gardening, calving, building, butchering, soap making, how to build a water wheel or drain a bog, how to make bricks and beer... on and on.
This book is crazy thorough, covers gardening, calving, building, butchering, soap making, how to build a water wheel or drain a bog, how to make bricks and beer... on and on.
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Read in September, 2008
recommends it for:
everyone
Wow. One of those books that everyone would do well to own "just in case". This one contains a wealth of knowledge that could save you months of mistakes if you ever had to adopt a self-sufficient lifestyle. This is the kind of information that, as a society, we can't afford to lose.
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This is a good primer for anyone trying to start anything having to do with self sufficiency. While it won't tell you the entire story, it's a great place to start and gives you an overview and a jumping off point for new projects.
Easy to read, well organized and well illustrated. A good read.
Easy to read, well organized and well illustrated. A good read.
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Read in January, 2008
I REALLY want to have a vegetable garden this summer. I want to grow my own poison-free strawberries! I want my plants to grow and not wither away to nothing because of too much or too little water, since I can never tell which it is I've done wrong. I need some serious help!
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Read in October, 2008
It's a little more than what I need (build your own outhouse; gut your own pig) but I'm trying to get some ideas/pointers for starting a garden for the spring. Has a pretty good section on different veggies/herbs to consider and some good info on composting.
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Read in August, 2007
recommends it for:
Future Farmers
My husband and I have a fantasy that one day we will buy a farm and grow our own food (and have pet goats and pigs). So this book lives on our coffee table, where I can easily dive into it after a tough day in the office.
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Read in January, 2008
Truly an all-inclusive self-sufficiency book! I really appreciate all of the step-by-step instructions and also the illustrations. I can't wait to try everything I have already bunny-eared!
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Read in February, 2008
Excellent ideas about setting up a plot of any size. Also some really interesting ideas about quitting the city life and becoming self sufficient on a small farm. Inspiring!
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Read in January, 2007
I keep this on my coffee table and read it constantly. BEST BOOK EVER!
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01/08/08
Kim
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a classic and a must have - great illustrations
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