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The Forgotten Skills of Self-Sufficiency Used by the Mormon Pioneers
Many people dream of becoming self-reliant during these times of fluctuating prices and uncertain job security. Using truly simple techniques, you can cultivate the pioneers’ independence to provide safety against lost wages, harsh weather, economic recession, and commercial contamination and shortages. Strengthen your family’s self-reliance as you discover anew the joy of homegrown food, thrift, and self-sufficient living.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 28, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
December 5, 2013
Has some interesting historical wisps, but nothing too substantial. A few times there is page filler not easily related to current content. Pretty light on instruction, very anecdotal and the beginning seems like an ad for the seed exchange...and yet...I read it all in one sitting. Guess I'm a sucker for the topic. :) I am unable to forgive the proofreading though. In addition to a few minor problems, this book stands as a reminder that no text should EVER make it to publishing with a your/you're error. *Facepalm* Reads more like a collections of blog posts than a cohesive book. It's a blog I'd consider following - the author seems interesting and engaging - but this didn't really 'make it' as a book for me.
September 21, 2020
This is a good beginner with nice photos on some homestead elements. There are interesting anecdotes the author includes from his great-grandma's journal.
November 14, 2011
This book is a beautiful personal memoir written with the intent of
preserving a pioneer heritage of knowledge on living self-sufficiently and gardening year-round. Much of the information in the book was handed down to the author by his ancestors and he is preserving it in this book to be passed on to his own
descendents and other interested readers such as myself. I only wish
I had an acre of land to experiment with this information. I would
love to own chickens and raise a year-round garden. I feel that with
the information in this book and a little research on the internet I
could do it if I had the space. I did order the bread start and fully
intend to use that as much as I can in my baking. There are some
other things I can do, like raise some perennial vegetables and use
some of the interesting cellaring techniques.
I have two complaints about this book. The first is that
from the title I expected a much more technical book. The second is
that I found the sidebars confusing and unorganized. It is frustrating to stop mid-thought on a page and read the sidebar before
turning the page. I would prefer a layout that allows the thoughts to
be completed and the sidebars then easily read. The sidebar with the
disturbing description of a farmer who was sent to prison for burning
hybrid seed didn't fit with the rest of the book and I felt should
have been explained better and expounded on more if it was going to be
included.
The topics covered in this book include weed control; box gardening; how to save seed; where one can acquire non-hybrid seed; extending a garden's harvest to last all year; a discussion of vegetable varieties that do well in the Mountain West climate (regular growing season from mid-May to mid-October); vegetable varieties that store well and are more hardy; different ways to cellar your vegetables so that they last longer; pioneer yeast; perrenial flowers; how to raise chickens and helpful information about fresh eggs.
I found this book informative and inspiring. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning to raise chickens or in having a year-round garden, especially in the Mountain West region or in a place with a similar climate. Not a definitive book on the subject of living in a self-sufficient manner, but definitely one to add to the collection.
preserving a pioneer heritage of knowledge on living self-sufficiently and gardening year-round. Much of the information in the book was handed down to the author by his ancestors and he is preserving it in this book to be passed on to his own
descendents and other interested readers such as myself. I only wish
I had an acre of land to experiment with this information. I would
love to own chickens and raise a year-round garden. I feel that with
the information in this book and a little research on the internet I
could do it if I had the space. I did order the bread start and fully
intend to use that as much as I can in my baking. There are some
other things I can do, like raise some perennial vegetables and use
some of the interesting cellaring techniques.
I have two complaints about this book. The first is that
from the title I expected a much more technical book. The second is
that I found the sidebars confusing and unorganized. It is frustrating to stop mid-thought on a page and read the sidebar before
turning the page. I would prefer a layout that allows the thoughts to
be completed and the sidebars then easily read. The sidebar with the
disturbing description of a farmer who was sent to prison for burning
hybrid seed didn't fit with the rest of the book and I felt should
have been explained better and expounded on more if it was going to be
included.
The topics covered in this book include weed control; box gardening; how to save seed; where one can acquire non-hybrid seed; extending a garden's harvest to last all year; a discussion of vegetable varieties that do well in the Mountain West climate (regular growing season from mid-May to mid-October); vegetable varieties that store well and are more hardy; different ways to cellar your vegetables so that they last longer; pioneer yeast; perrenial flowers; how to raise chickens and helpful information about fresh eggs.
I found this book informative and inspiring. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning to raise chickens or in having a year-round garden, especially in the Mountain West region or in a place with a similar climate. Not a definitive book on the subject of living in a self-sufficient manner, but definitely one to add to the collection.
September 29, 2020
Most of the information was geared towards climates with very cold and snowy winters. There was a great section on keeping chickens though. And I loved the short recipe section at the end. I'm a bit of a history nerd so I loved reading the stories of his ancestors.
November 13, 2012
This is a book of what the author can do, not what you can do. There is little teaching of how to use the forgotten skills.
May 1, 2014
This isn't a large book, and had large glossy pictures pertaining to the subject at hand, but I found it very informative. It's mostly a beginners to intermediate level of homesteading, with a few pro tips tossed in; it's not hard to read or understand.
What I liked the most was the author put in quotes of journals and personal writings of the early pioneers, and he experimented with the ideas put forth. The book is part his personal journey and part the teachings of generation long gone and most of their hard earned knowledge. This books helps restore some of those forgotten skills, and did so in an attractive package, with an easy conversational tone, and with the best ending I've ever read in one of these books.
Recommended.
What I liked the most was the author put in quotes of journals and personal writings of the early pioneers, and he experimented with the ideas put forth. The book is part his personal journey and part the teachings of generation long gone and most of their hard earned knowledge. This books helps restore some of those forgotten skills, and did so in an attractive package, with an easy conversational tone, and with the best ending I've ever read in one of these books.
Recommended.
September 19, 2019
I was given the book as a gift. Aside from a fair bit of good information for beginners on raising backyard chickens, this book was only anecdotes about what the author can and does to grow food, etc., without any in depth information on how-to for the reader. On the flip side, while speaking of how they do this-and-that, there are only a few stories associated, so it also doesn't lean towards a memoir. It's like the author couldn't decide if it was a personal story about food heritage, a boring but useful reference book for gardeners, or a chicken manual. Read it in a day so it was was a quick read, at least.
March 28, 2012
I've attended so many gardening & self-sufficency classes over the years and was worried that this book wouldn't have much to offer....nothing new that I hadn't heard before. But, so far, I've learned some really interesting things! Especially the winter garden stuff. I have always wanted a greenhouse, but can't afford one. This book gave some great ideas on a winter garden.
I also love the stories, history, and photographs in this book. I just might have to buy it!
I also love the stories, history, and photographs in this book. I just might have to buy it!
June 19, 2012
Wow I read this in one night. There wasn't really a whole lot I didn't already know except some of the seed strains and about raising chickens but it was very informative, well written, and interesting. Couldn't put it down!
October 26, 2011
This book focused more on Chickens than I would have preferred, but overall quite interesting.
August 30, 2021
I enjoyed this book on several levels. It provided some history, with quotes from actual pioneer diaries, as well as the author's. The sections on gardening/food were informative about both techniques and tips, but also scientific information about the differences between heirloom fruits and vegetables and hybrids. He doesn't tell readers that hybrids are bad; but he does emphasize how many species, etc. we've already lost (even in my own lifetime!) and the importance of retaining the knowledge of how to save seeds of heirloom plants so that we don't lose the ability to be self-sufficient, if necessary. (I ate an heirloom tomato for lunch and it was soooo much tastier than store-bought!)
I've also seen volunteer squash in my own garden that obviously was from hybrid seed. Although it was plenty edible, there was no way to even guess what it's actual lineage was and what kind of squash were combined (well, butternut was in there, I'm pretty sure...). More and more libraries are providing seed collections for gardeners to swap and I'm feeling I'm going to be moving toward trying some seed saving of my own, no matter how much I've had good luck with some hybrids!
The last half of the book deals with raising chickens. I did learn a lot about the whole processes involved, with many helpful tips. I'd been moving toward only purchasing from local farms I'm familiar with or free range eggs at the store; now I'm certainly a believer! We can't have chickens in our rural subdivision, unfortunately; I may just be tempted.
Sidenote: At one point the author quotes from the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy-
"Eight of the fifteen breeds of pigs raised in the United States fifty years ago are now extinct, along with sixty breeds of chickens that were raised in the United States prior to World War II." When I was in second grade (over 50 years ago), I would regularly check out a large book of "all" the breeds of various domestic animals, including all kinds of livestock, cats, and dogs. Now I'm wondering which of the species of pigs I read about are no longer found here...
There are so many little facts that I learned in this book, but I can't mention them all. Warnock is not preachy about the noble reasons to raise food from your own seed or raise your own poultry. He merely feels passionate about continuing the traditions of his own ancestors (and others') and desires to show others that it is possible, not matter where you live. He uses endnotes for some information, has a index (not as complete as I would like), and a bibliography including both print and online sources. There are even some of his grandmother's recipes!
I've also seen volunteer squash in my own garden that obviously was from hybrid seed. Although it was plenty edible, there was no way to even guess what it's actual lineage was and what kind of squash were combined (well, butternut was in there, I'm pretty sure...). More and more libraries are providing seed collections for gardeners to swap and I'm feeling I'm going to be moving toward trying some seed saving of my own, no matter how much I've had good luck with some hybrids!
The last half of the book deals with raising chickens. I did learn a lot about the whole processes involved, with many helpful tips. I'd been moving toward only purchasing from local farms I'm familiar with or free range eggs at the store; now I'm certainly a believer! We can't have chickens in our rural subdivision, unfortunately; I may just be tempted.
Sidenote: At one point the author quotes from the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy-
"Eight of the fifteen breeds of pigs raised in the United States fifty years ago are now extinct, along with sixty breeds of chickens that were raised in the United States prior to World War II." When I was in second grade (over 50 years ago), I would regularly check out a large book of "all" the breeds of various domestic animals, including all kinds of livestock, cats, and dogs. Now I'm wondering which of the species of pigs I read about are no longer found here...
There are so many little facts that I learned in this book, but I can't mention them all. Warnock is not preachy about the noble reasons to raise food from your own seed or raise your own poultry. He merely feels passionate about continuing the traditions of his own ancestors (and others') and desires to show others that it is possible, not matter where you live. He uses endnotes for some information, has a index (not as complete as I would like), and a bibliography including both print and online sources. There are even some of his grandmother's recipes!
February 23, 2022
I checked out this book based on its title -- it's the only one in my gigantic NY library system and I didn't want them weeding it out because no one was checking it out. It was pretty good -- I skipped over the first third of the book but stopped to read the chapters about keeping chickens. Here I found a lot of practical, first-hand experience and I will definitely come back to it when I fulfill my dream of having chickens.
August 29, 2018
Nice pictures. Lots of typographical errors.
Brief overview of many aspects of self-reliance. Not really a great source to turn to should I choose to delve more deeply into any one of those topics, but I'm sure the author is very knowledgeable.
It was interesting - I learned some things I didn't know.
Brief overview of many aspects of self-reliance. Not really a great source to turn to should I choose to delve more deeply into any one of those topics, but I'm sure the author is very knowledgeable.
It was interesting - I learned some things I didn't know.
August 10, 2022
It was okay. The best section by far was on raising and caring for chickens, but since I live in a city that doesn't allow chickens, that wasn't very helpful to me. The rest of the info was kind of basic if you've been reading up on homesteading elsewhere, but it would make a good "ABCs of self sufficiency" book for a beginner.
April 10, 2023
This is a practical book but it's written for readers who live in Utah. Readers outside of Utah would need to adapt much of what he says to be appropriate to their own climates. He makes chicken-keeping sound quite easy and determining whether or not to eat a particular egg quite complicated. I'd like to try some of his methods for storing vegetables long-term.
November 10, 2019
3.5 stars, rounded up. Actually a more engaging book than I anticipated. Part how-to (expected) and part agricultural history. Written a bit narrowly—the author seems to think the only readers of his book live in the Utah Valley—but interesting and instructive.
March 26, 2020
Wonderful especially in these troubled times
I have gardened most my life,my grandfather and parents only did corn,green beans, and tomatoes.
This has a lot of information that I can use now to keep us fed thru years.
I have gardened most my life,my grandfather and parents only did corn,green beans, and tomatoes.
This has a lot of information that I can use now to keep us fed thru years.
September 19, 2020
This book is well written and has some great suggestions and ideas. There is also A LOT about chickens (keeping chickens, storing eggs, cleaning coops, etc). While the stories and anecdotes related are interesting, I had hoped to gain more actual step-by-step knowledge.
August 5, 2021
Good straight forward book on self sufficient living, that has been preserved by a few people. It is fun to read, with personal accounts of living free of the grid. It isn’t hippy or new age. It is written by very traditional Mormons.
September 17, 2021
Very Religious
The scripture on every page and using the book of Mormon as a reference for agricultural management. Also idolizing pioneers, and ignoring the genocide and enthnocide of the indigenous peoples who show colonizers how to survive on their lands. It's painful to read.
The scripture on every page and using the book of Mormon as a reference for agricultural management. Also idolizing pioneers, and ignoring the genocide and enthnocide of the indigenous peoples who show colonizers how to survive on their lands. It's painful to read.
March 24, 2022
This is a really interesting read both from a prepper's and a historian's view, lots of ideas for small family farming, community based sharing, and some history of the Mormon community growth. Worth the time, check it out.
January 14, 2023
Not much new that applied to me. Most of his advice didn't apply to anywhere outside of the places with a similar climate that he is familiar with. Interesting tidbits of old time stories were the best part. Could have used more recipes from the old days - those are always interesting.
January 15, 2023
great gardening / chicken information
I enjoyed this book, loved how it dated back to pioneer days, great all around information. Would definitely be a good read for beginners. I did skip through some because I was familiar with knowledge.
I enjoyed this book, loved how it dated back to pioneer days, great all around information. Would definitely be a good read for beginners. I did skip through some because I was familiar with knowledge.
August 9, 2024
It's a solid informative book, but mostly focuses on chickens and gardening with little else. The writing is personable, but it relies a bit too much on Utah heritage without saying much new. Good, but in more of a this-could-have-been-a-blog way.
November 4, 2016
I've really enjoyed learning new things and remembering old things. I'm so glad there's a place to go to find out lots of the knowledge that is being lost!
June 18, 2019
Lots of good information, but mostly it's about an attitude of living self-reliantly. Lots about chickens.
April 13, 2020
This is an excellent especially with the economy home. A lot of great wisdom !!! I highly recommend it!😊😊😊😊😊
July 5, 2020
Good food basics .
These skills are going to come in handy in the coming months, we would all do well to learn at least a few.
These skills are going to come in handy in the coming months, we would all do well to learn at least a few.
July 24, 2020
Very interesting read
Very interesting to read about how pioneers were able to get their gardens started. Lots of useful information and recipes for today
Very interesting to read about how pioneers were able to get their gardens started. Lots of useful information and recipes for today
September 23, 2020
nothing really new here.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews