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The New Complete Book of Self-Sufficiency: The Classic Guide for Realists and Dreamers by: John Seymour, Will Sutherland, E.F. Schumacher

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Average rating -

Rating: - Start Here

As some one has already said, this book is only a brief introduction to most things but, for one, it is just that - most things! The natural style of writing, the drawings but, above all, the simple matter of fact explanations make the whole thing seem much more do-able than some of the more detailed books. If your really want to go into self sufficiency, you will need other books but this one is the one that will inspire you in those dark moments and make you feel that you really can do it after all.
My first and still my favourite!

Rating: - My personal favourite

My mum bought me a plethora of books based on Amazon recommendations 3 years ago, including this one.

It is one of the most wonderful factual books that I have ever read, with a wealth of practical information for smallholders and a pithy, clear written style - a rarity in this type of book.

True, it isn't in depth about all aspects of smallholding, but that's not what it's there for - it provides a really good overview.

Check out the handy tips in the dairy and smallholding layout sections and the chapters detailing crop storage and preservation. There are even details on the working horse, fencing your land and milling grain to keep the aspiring smallholder on track.

But, even if you never get your bit of land, this book will still give you years of enjoyment and inspiration, as it has to me.

Rating: - buy this and then buy...

great book from John Seymour. All you need to know about what you should be doing. However, I prefer the old version, better illustrations. Buy "The Fat of the Land" by John Seymour too and you will find out how his family did it.

Rating: - Good but should you buy it

Well, I got given this book for christmas, and although it is very comprehensive, it also lacks important details.

A large amount of the text is very brief, e.g. Goats, in fact he says you should keep a goat if you don't have space for a dairy cow, he tells you that there are four main types and what they eat, but that's about it, its one page.

However when you get to Cows, he is a little more detailed.

You will find that you end up with books on each subject, e.g. if you decide to keep Bees, then you will buy Ted hoopers book Bees and Honey.

If you decide to buy Chickens then you will buy Katie Tears book, free range Poultry.

If you decide to keep Goats you will buy, Mackenzie's Goat Husbandry.

The reason is that these give you the necessary information to keep them and keep them a live, Seymour just tells you, to keep them.

Seymour is an important book in the library of the self supporter. He can tell you how to plan your acres and what types of animals you need.

In my view - buy the book - It is more dreamy and too ideological and certainly not a manual, but still a good book.

Rating: - Fantastic guide to everything from blacksmithing to wine

The book is still a classic today. He covers everything from blacksmithing to forestry with wine making and composting toilets thrown in for good measure.
As a reluctant city dweller I am one of the dreamers mentioned in the book subtitle yet I find no end of inspiration and entertainment from this book.
The only negative I can think of is that it makes you want to go self-sufficient now!

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