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The New Complete Book Of Self Sufficiency
This book first came out over 25 [years] ago, created by Dorling Kindersley, with a little help from John Seymour. It is now being delivered into the new millennium kicking and screaming! Since he first wrote it the book has certainly got about. He has travelled in at least dozens of countries since he wrote it (to say nothing of four continents) and in every one of them people have come up to him with their copy for him to sign. He has delighted to find wine stains on the wine-making pages, and good honest dirt on the gardening pages. He has indeed updated it for the new millennium, but has not sacrificed any of the techniques and tips that have stood him well all that time and continue to do so.
Since he first wrote the first version of this book back in 1975 he thinks there is a far more urgent reason for it. Very few people today can fail to see that the present course that man- and woman-kind is embarked upon is unsustainable. ... It is now urgently necessary to dismantle the whole fabric of world trade and replace it with a far less fuel-hungry, less polluting, less dangerous arrangement.
Most people know all this, but they are afraid that their quality of life will decline if we change course. The purpose of this book is to show that this is not the case.
Since he first wrote the first version of this book back in 1975 he thinks there is a far more urgent reason for it. Very few people today can fail to see that the present course that man- and woman-kind is embarked upon is unsustainable. ... It is now urgently necessary to dismantle the whole fabric of world trade and replace it with a far less fuel-hungry, less polluting, less dangerous arrangement.
Most people know all this, but they are afraid that their quality of life will decline if we change course. The purpose of this book is to show that this is not the case.
312 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1975
About the author
John Seymour
105 books126 followersJohn Seymour was an idealist - he had a vision of a better world where people aren't alienated from their labours. As a young man, he travelled all over Africa and fought in Burma in World War II. Returning penniless to England, he lived in a trolley bus and on a Dutch sailing barge before settling on a five-acre smallholding in Suffolk to lead a self-sufficient life. He continued this lifestyle with his companion Angela Ashe on the banks of the River Barrow in County Wexford, Ireland. The two had built up the smallholding from scratch over 19 years. In his last years John, Angela and William Sutherland had been running courses in self-sufficiency from their home at Killowen, New Ross. The courses were taken by students from all over the world, who come to Killowen to learn about his lifestyle and philosophies at first hand.
He was the author of over 40 books, including the best-selling The Complete Book of Self-Sufficiency, and he had made numerous films and radio programmes. Most of his later writing and public campaigning had been devoted to country matters, self-sufficiency and the environment.
In the last 18 months, he was back on his beloved Pembrokeshire farm with his daughter Ann, telling stories to his grandchildren and writing rhyming poetry, with an acerbic wit that was his last weapon against what he saw as our destructive era.
He was the author of over 40 books, including the best-selling The Complete Book of Self-Sufficiency, and he had made numerous films and radio programmes. Most of his later writing and public campaigning had been devoted to country matters, self-sufficiency and the environment.
In the last 18 months, he was back on his beloved Pembrokeshire farm with his daughter Ann, telling stories to his grandchildren and writing rhyming poetry, with an acerbic wit that was his last weapon against what he saw as our destructive era.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
January 31, 2023
This book has everything you need to know about living more sustainably.
It is over an inch thick, with over 400 pages, colorful illustrations, easy-to-read instructions and is packed full of useful information that can be referred back to time and time again.
I recommend it to anyone who has an interest in being more self-sufficient.
It is over an inch thick, with over 400 pages, colorful illustrations, easy-to-read instructions and is packed full of useful information that can be referred back to time and time again.
I recommend it to anyone who has an interest in being more self-sufficient.
March 21, 2013
Seriously. This book is why I can make butter and why I tried it. This book is why I know how to make lye soap. This book is how I know what life was like in older times. This book is how I know how to build a five tree orchard and that pigs like to hang out there and gather the over ripe fruit. This book is how I know what to feed chickens (if my husband ever lets me get some). And this book is one that has a special place on my shelf for any question I may ever have. The best advice from this book: Living a life of self sufficiency is 24/7 hard work. The author writes to tell readers that after a life's work proving that there is a way to make anything you could ever need from nature; it's okay to stop and just rest awhile with friends-- even if it means buying your own broom to find that time, though you already know how to make your own.
April 4, 2013
This book includes the phrase "The first lion I ever shot..." THE FIRST. And he was just talking about making soap.
July 12, 2017
My all time favourite book that is on my to read another day shelf.
Packed with knowledge about complete self sufficiency in the garden.
From growing fruit and veg to keeping livestock.
Really love this book it is a treasure trove of information.
Highly recommended.
Packed with knowledge about complete self sufficiency in the garden.
From growing fruit and veg to keeping livestock.
Really love this book it is a treasure trove of information.
Highly recommended.
December 9, 2007
This book covers absolutely everything, with detailed diagrams, from making bricks to slaughtering pigs :(, from building a windmill, to choosing and eating wild plants, milking goats, managing springs, arranging a workshop for maximum efficiency...I could go on. This is an absolute bible for anyone seriously interested in "doing it themselves." Although I marked this as read, I'll be reading this for years. It'll sit on the shelf alongside my very battered, very loved, How to Cook Everything.
September 25, 2017
Beautiful Hardcover.
Loved the contents, but even for its size, I wish it went even deeper on the details of everything. Probably this is only due to me being content-facts-numbers thirsty and if it was like that it would probably bore other people.
I love the images and drawings too, it sure shows the love we feel for the country.
Loved the contents, but even for its size, I wish it went even deeper on the details of everything. Probably this is only due to me being content-facts-numbers thirsty and if it was like that it would probably bore other people.
I love the images and drawings too, it sure shows the love we feel for the country.
August 24, 2015
This book is wonderful first primer in this fascinating subject. It is full of invaluable information and wonderful anecdotes. Beautifully illustrated and a wonderful addition to my library.
December 16, 2023
Amazing for homesteaders, people with gardens of any size, those interested in living sustainably, and anyone else who hasn't grown up in the country and wants to patch up holes in their education (somehow we weren't taught almost any practical things at school). Seymour teaches readers how to grow a potato, milk a cow, bake a pie, and more, all in one book.
April 13, 2020
Inspirational
Want to read
November 21, 2007When I was in England over the summer, I stayed at my friend Jamie's house, which was a little cottage in the New Forest. I admired his vegetable plot, and he showed me this book, and we talked about building a dry toilet, and he demonstrated a tool that he'd made himself that was a replica of a tool that they used in the Middle Ages and that you can use to make chair legs and bedposts. Jamie is great.
November 27, 2023
A handy book for those planning to leave civilization behind and downshift to a less crowded village and enjoy eco-farming or those preparing for the end of days (preppers) and want to know how to create and manage small and middle-sized farms. Even though I am not in either of the camps mentioned above at this time, I liked the author's style. You are reading a book from an author who knows his craft and is not writing about things he never did in the past. Many chapters from the book reminded me of my childhood days when I was observing and helping my grandfather, a farmer, and in this book, I could see what could be improved in the organisation of a farm. The book covers everything for someone who wants to be independent - energy, how to take care of the land, what crops to grow and when, what animals are helpful and how to take care of them, sanitation, essential tips for building things, etc.
April 13, 2024
Un livre ma foi fort intéressant sur la recherche d'autonomie. Sans chercher un isolement complet, au contraire, l'auteur partage tous les trucs et astuces qu'il a pu mettre en place au cours des années pour acquérir une autonomie alimentaire aussi complète que possible. Ce qui passe par quand même pas mal de boulot, ne nous voilons pas la face. Mais c'est tentant tout de même...
January 27, 2013
This was, in fact, the original "Good Life" book and very much a breakthrough in writing about self-sufficiency. This is the updated version, which stays very true to the original philosophy - in fact, not that much has changed at all except for the fact that some sections have been updated to fit our newer, more modern lives.
This is the first book we bought on self-sufficiency and it's really the only one we still refer to! I would recommend it to anyone who wants the good life - either completely, or just choosing aspects of it that will fit with their life.
It teaches everything from growing vegetables and rearing animals, to how to lay out your plot, build shelters and recycle EVERYTHING! It might not be the only self-sufficiency book you own, but it should be one of the first!
This is the first book we bought on self-sufficiency and it's really the only one we still refer to! I would recommend it to anyone who wants the good life - either completely, or just choosing aspects of it that will fit with their life.
It teaches everything from growing vegetables and rearing animals, to how to lay out your plot, build shelters and recycle EVERYTHING! It might not be the only self-sufficiency book you own, but it should be one of the first!
August 22, 2017
The Bible of self-sufficiency! It goes in depth about everything you want to know about the subject. Yes, it’s a little old, it was written in the 70s. But it’s better, I think, to see how things were done when we were slightly less dependent on non-renewable resources.
As far as I know, there is no other book on the subject that does a better job than this one.
It’s a shame though that there is such an extensive chapter on slaughter. I feel like self-sufficiency can more easily rely on legumes and nuts as a protein source.
As far as I know, there is no other book on the subject that does a better job than this one.
It’s a shame though that there is such an extensive chapter on slaughter. I feel like self-sufficiency can more easily rely on legumes and nuts as a protein source.
August 12, 2019
From setting up Solar pannels to making cheese Seymour provides plenty of different ways to provide for yourself. Not just this though the book sets forward a philosophy that going back to the land is not going back in time but rather progression.
Instead of buying clothes from sweatshops why not provide for yourself? Doing so you are not just learning a skill but also helping environmentally and in the process not providing such corporations with a profit.
This book is also bolstered by some great illustrations.
Instead of buying clothes from sweatshops why not provide for yourself? Doing so you are not just learning a skill but also helping environmentally and in the process not providing such corporations with a profit.
This book is also bolstered by some great illustrations.
July 30, 2020
Love this book for just daydreaming. I'm not ever going to be fit enough to do this, but it's all great advice. In a way, you can extrapolate the principles and use them in your own life to increase your self sufficiency. I have a small veg garden and definitely learned some applicable tips on efficiency, thinking ahead to the various seasons and using space wisely.
July 27, 2007
Wow. This book is probably the most informative piece of literature I have ever read. It's like the handbook on "How to Live a Fulfilling Life." I think everyone, at some point in their lives, should read it.
December 15, 2009
This book is crazy - everything you need to know about surviving off of what you can produce yourself. It's not something you can sit down and just read (well, I guess you could, but it's a lot of info.) I'm excited to study from it more.
December 30, 2018
One of my favourite books. Truly inspiring, especially in terms of how much can be achieved in a small area. I'd recommend it to anyone considering home/farmsteading, or to those who are already doing it and want to up their game.
February 21, 2008
Grew up with this book when Mum was starting her small holding and now it's beginning to guide us. Lessons from the 1st edition still apply today
October 1, 2008
This was a library copy and I must buy one for myself, it's the kind of book one wants to annote, one that will take some wear-and-tear. A great resource.
June 16, 2012
A classic on self-sufficiency. Has lots of chapters on meat - if you're a vegetarian, only a few chapters of this book will be useful - for example, the chapter on food preserving.
August 15, 2012
Brilliant but not 100% practical in Finland.
June 16, 2020
This is The Bibble!
February 16, 2021
A useful and inviting reference book on doing it yourself whether you plan to go totally off grid or not.
December 23, 2020
Wonderful book. Informative illustrations and wide coverage of topics. Most topics are covered only briefly and serve more as a starting point than a comprehensive guide. The writing style is personal and author is very opinionated on everything and not shy of sharing. I'd prefer the guides to be written more matter-of-factly.
The book ends with an admission that living in a group of people who specialise is better. This doesn't detract from the message: you'll be happier if you do more things for yourself.
The book ends with an admission that living in a group of people who specialise is better. This doesn't detract from the message: you'll be happier if you do more things for yourself.
August 14, 2022
An Essential Guide to Going it Alone.
Seymour explores several incredibly interesting topics within this manual to going it alone. Not all topics discussed go into great detail (Making paper, honey production etc) which I would have preferred but the main points are extensively explained (animal husbandry, crop growing, foraging, energy production and construction). This book is a must have for those looking to be more independent from the modern hustle and bustle and a great way to be introduced to some unique ideas of doing things yourself.
Seymour explores several incredibly interesting topics within this manual to going it alone. Not all topics discussed go into great detail (Making paper, honey production etc) which I would have preferred but the main points are extensively explained (animal husbandry, crop growing, foraging, energy production and construction). This book is a must have for those looking to be more independent from the modern hustle and bustle and a great way to be introduced to some unique ideas of doing things yourself.
September 6, 2022
Tal y como indica el título, es una guía aplicada, muy enfocada en la práctica. Como principales inconvenientes destacaría su fecha (aunque la reedición ha actualizado algunos de los contenidos e incluido unas imágenes preciosas) y que, en algunos aspectos, da por hecho conocimientos mínimos sin los cuales es difícil de seguir. Aun así me ha parecido muy útil, muy bonita y una lectura muy interesante.
April 3, 2018
Awesome reference. It got a bit bogged down in the gardening section for those of us not gardening in UK soil/climate/prevalent pest conditions, but in general, Seymour has some impressive skills at succinctly summarizing what you need to know to get started in disciplines that have few remaining craftsmen to apprentice with and might take decades to fully master.
October 1, 2021
I love it, read it again and again, always dreaming of my own little homestead and all the wonderful things I could plant there.
Recommending this book over and over again to anyone interested in living a somehow self sufficient life, be it with the little garden on your balcony or the thriving farm outside of town.
Recommending this book over and over again to anyone interested in living a somehow self sufficient life, be it with the little garden on your balcony or the thriving farm outside of town.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews