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The Ultimate Guide to Homesteading: An Encyclopedia of Independent Living
by
The Ultimate Guide to Homesteading is a practical guide with nitty-gritty details on everything a homesteader can do, step-by-step with hundreds of color illustrations and pen and ink sketches.
You can do it! This book will show you how to:
Make your own bread?
Grow a garden all winter
Make a solar oven
Store food without electricity
Raise a water buffalo
Make fine linen from sti ...more
You can do it! This book will show you how to:
Make your own bread?
Grow a garden all winter
Make a solar oven
Store food without electricity
Raise a water buffalo
Make fine linen from sti ...more
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I was very disappointed with this book. It is in no way encyclopedic, as its title would have you believe. It touches, barely, on a wide variety of topics, but does not go into any kind of depth on any single one of them. At best, this should probably be considered an idea book, giving the reader ideas about what can be done on a homestead, and that the reader may want to learn more about from another, more in-depth source.
The book also contained a fair number of questionable things (stuff that ...more
The book also contained a fair number of questionable things (stuff that ...more
I've read this book twice in the week I've owned it, and still back to reread those areas of particular interest. Everytime I learn something new. While this book does not go into any particular subject in depth (a flaw), it does touch upon all those areas that one would need some proficiency or knowledge in order to live independently (a plus), which leaves it to the reader to pursue those books/knowledge that one needs to fill his/her learning gaps. A terrific overview for those who are just d
...more
A great introduction to subjects of homesteading. While I would not recommend it as the only book you need, it is a handy companion. The bibliography is stellar.
This book is truly encyclopedic. It felt like I was taking a class on homesteading and this was the text book. So here are my notes from the class:
1. This is not "urban homesteading." This is like, Little House on the Prairie/Off-The-Grid/Post-Peak Oil, hitch the horse to the wagon and weave your own cloth kind of homesteading. This is serious shit for people who want to compost humanure or grow wheat. Survivor stock. Not hobbyists or dabblers.
2. There are hundreds of topics covered in this book ...more
1. This is not "urban homesteading." This is like, Little House on the Prairie/Off-The-Grid/Post-Peak Oil, hitch the horse to the wagon and weave your own cloth kind of homesteading. This is serious shit for people who want to compost humanure or grow wheat. Survivor stock. Not hobbyists or dabblers.
2. There are hundreds of topics covered in this book ...more
This book would have benefited greatly from a good editor. While it covered a lot of territory on the process of living off of the land in a decent sized property, individual topics were rather hit or miss. Some parts were covered in great detail, and others were merely glossed over. Terms used were frequently left undefined, assuming that you knew the intricacies of horse tack, for instance. In other cases, serious, easily detected errors (like suggesting antibiotics for viruses) made me doubt
...more
Shelving in the "Things I might find useful in case of an apocalypse" section.
Topics covered, among many, include:
What do I look for in a tractor?
Which plants contain water?
How do I prepare firewood?
How do I build my own yurt?
How do I breed a horse?
How do I make a cornhusk bed?
How do I braid a hat?
How do I care for a bucksaw?
How do I deliver a baby alone? (Supplies include a big mirror)
Seriously, you want to be the first to steal this book from the library in case of an apocalypse. But you m ...more
Topics covered, among many, include:
What do I look for in a tractor?
Which plants contain water?
How do I prepare firewood?
How do I build my own yurt?
How do I breed a horse?
How do I make a cornhusk bed?
How do I braid a hat?
How do I care for a bucksaw?
How do I deliver a baby alone? (Supplies include a big mirror)
Seriously, you want to be the first to steal this book from the library in case of an apocalypse. But you m ...more
After having heard many good things about the earlier book put out by this author, I went ahead and pre-ordered this book. It arrived last week and it's already apparent that it over promises and under delivers. While it covers a ton of subjects, it does so with so little detail as to be nearly useless to someone truly intent upon adopting the homesteading way of life - it's more like a coffee-table book teaser - pretty pictures, not much substance. My suggestion it to save your money and instea
...more
"Shelving in the "Things I might find useful in case of an apocalypse" section." - Tamara, Web Content Librarian
Reserve a library copy! ...more
Reserve a library copy! ...more
This books is so dense, there is not way I'll be able to read it word for words from cover to cover. Lots of useful information on food storage, building techniques, cultivating seeds, rotating crops and homeschooling. This is a book I would like to own for personal reference!
...more
Not the complete encyclopedia I'm looking for, but one I need to add to my bookshelf
...more
Really is the ultimate guide... has everything a beginner would ever need to know. Lots of photos and drawings.
This is one of the coolest books in the world! Not that I've actually read it from cover to cover, but I am constantly picking it up, reading and re-reading chapters.
...more
The Bible of self-reliance. The most important collection of information ever assembled.
Pretty darn thorough, succinct, and FANTASTIC full-color pics and diagrams!
good reference guide!
Some great information here.... and gorgeous pictures!
A very detailed guide which I will definitely keep on my bookshelf.
This book seems like a great general introduction to A LOT of different topics on homesteading. Introduction is definitely the key word. While the author covers a wide range of topic (everything from shelter to bee-keeping), the information is so introductory that it borders on not being extraordinarily useful due to its lack of detail.
My favorite feature of the book is the "Companion Planting" chart (pp. 477-482), which lists different types of plants with the plants they do well with and poorl ...more
My favorite feature of the book is the "Companion Planting" chart (pp. 477-482), which lists different types of plants with the plants they do well with and poorl ...more
Great for my research of times gone by.
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