| Summaries and Customer Reviews are supplied by Amazon.com | "Voluntary simplicity" has become a catch phrase for what seems to be a yearning for a simpler, more self-sufficient and economical way of living in the late 20th century. This book, first published in 1981 and recently updated, was probably many folks' first in-depth exposure to the idea of a simpler life, making things by hand, and enjoying a stronger sense of control over personal budgets, home projects, and lifestyles. Hundreds of projects are listed, illustrated in step-by-step diagrams and instructions: growing and preserving your own food, converting trees to lumber and building a home from it, traditional crafts and homesteading skills, and having fun with recreational activities like camping, fishing, and folk dancing without spending a lot of money. This book will have you dreaming and planning from the first page! -- Mark A. Hetts | Average Customer Rating: Good Info Some parts of this book are not needed and spend to much time on inconsequential information, but still a handy guide to pre-1900 tech. One of the Best! A classic addition to the homesteader's library, and still one of the best resources--my parents had a copy of this book, and I'm thrilled to have my own! Self sustainablity This book is very helpful. Though I don't use most of the information in it, the stuff I do use has been accurate. Gardening section is great, so is the livestock section. Want to try some of the things like, basket weaving and rug making. Highly recommended for anyone interested in self sustainability. Back to Basics: A must have amazing book, if you ever wanted to know how to make it yourself, or go off into the wild and be self sustaining, this is for you. Fast delivery, in great shape. If civilization falls, you want THIS book... Basic middle-age technologies that could be very handy indeed if a bug or something else gets a big chunk of us humans and the survivors are left to fend for themselves from scratch.
Put it in my survival kit along with first aid and farming book... | |