Old-Time Country Wisdom & Lore: 1000s of Traditional Skills for Simple Living

by Jerry Mack Johnson

A grand encyclopedia of country lore by famed Texas folklorist Jerry Mack Johnson, covering water witching, maple syruping, weather wisdom, country remedies and herbal cures, cleaning solutions, pest purges, bird migrations and animal lore, firewood essentials, adobe making and bricklaying, leather working, plant dyes, farm foods, natural teas and tonics, granola, bread making, beer brewing and winemaking, jams and jellies, canning and preserving, sausage making and meat smoking, drying foods, down-home toys, papermaking, candle crafting, homemade soaps and shampoos, Christmas wreaths and decorations, butter and cheese making, fishing and hunting secrets, and much more.

Genres: Nonfiction, Folklore, Reference

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[(a)lyss(a) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I liked the concept of this book, but unfortunately it wasn't for me.

This book is full of "country wisdom" with different skills, recipes, etc. listed. Unfortunately a lot of the information feels out of date for modern American life and some of this information is downright harmful or hard to access. Tips include things like recipes to clarify blood or using lye. While there are some interesting ideas preserved here, it doesn't account for a lot of the science we've learned in the last 100 years or so.

[Marleene · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful look at folk practice in medicine, the home, and the kitchen. While most of us rarely have the time or patience to engage in these activities, it is humbling to think that our ancestors all practiced at least some of them. Making granola or sprouts at home is still easily done, but I doubt that most of us will venture into making headcheese from our freshly butchered hog. It was interesting to read how to concoct soap and household cleaners but I personally have no interest in actually doing any of them and am quite comfortable purchasing them at the store. . The medical remedies, ranging from the bizarre to the downright dangerous, were staggeringly scary to me to think that dedicated and loving women actually used these on their family members. It’s amazing that there were survivors!
All in all, I thought this a fun read and an interesting examination of household practices from past generations.

[Lisa Montgomery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple and Useful, just the way I like it.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Old-Time Country Wisdom & Lore
1000’s of traditional skills for simple living
By Jerry Mack Johnson
Published by Voyageur Press
Source: Review Copy

This beautifully crafted book has just about every tid bit of information you would want on old time wisdom of country living. It is truly an encyclopedia of all things country. Over 300 pages with 100’s of different skills represented. The vintage clip art and ad signage make this a beautiful book to glance through. Detailed drawings of herbs, trees, animals and more give you a great idea of the specific that Mr. Johnson is discussing. It would be a fantastic addition to a country home’s coffee table collection. Not the kind of book you read straight through, but one you gather bits and pieces from over time. I could see my grandparents really enjoying this book and reminiscing about their own country days.
I would not take this book as a resource guide for farming today. Some of the things on it truly seem like lore or legend, and not a guidebook to farming or country living, and it isn’t meant to be that kind of book. It would make a fantastic gift giving book to someone who has lived the country life or is in love with the simple things. It covers many topics from Weather, to trees and the nature around us, to toys of the past and pastimes, and recipes and herb tonics. Fascinating read in bits at a time

I received this book from Voyageur Press in exchange for an honest review of it.

[J M Helm, MA, MBA · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full of information but somewhat hard to grasp due to the range of subjects.