Product Description

Make the break, realise the dream and start living "The Good Life!" Packed with comprehensive information on all the practicals, from ploughing fields to milking cows, as well as new information on how to create an urban organic garden and harness natural energy. This new and revised full-colour edition of the illustrated classic is an engrossing read and a wonderful handbook for realists and dreamers alike.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #83563 in Books
• Published on: 2003-04-03
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 312 pages

Review
Everyone dreams at some point in their lives of living the good life, albeit not in terms of the BBC comedy series. In this revised and fully updated edition of John Seymour's classic guide to self-sufficiency, the dream becomes more attainable. Now running a School of Self-Sufficiency in Ireland, John Seymour is as committed as ever to living a better life, more simply, by living off the land rather than out of shops. His magnum opus covers every conceivable topic from animal husbandry and butchering, seed sowing and cropping, dairy production and food storage, rubbish and recycling. All delivered in Seymour's inimitable, occasionally brusque style, it is a mine of information artfully illustrated with the original illustrations redrawn in full colour. New material includes GM crops, urban gardens and alternative forms of energy with craft skills rounding the picture of natural wholesomeness off nicely. A classic of its time and a new classic in the making, this revised edition will encourage and assist all those aspiring to a live a healthier, more environmentally friendly life. - Lucy Watson

About the Author
John Seymour is the acknowledged founding father of the self-sufficiency movement. Author of more than 40 books, he draws students from around the world to learn self-sufficiency first hand at his farm in County Wexford.

Customer Reviews

For doers and dreamers
Here is a bible for the self-sufficiency enthusiast.

If you already manage a smallholding, or if you are happy to cultivate a corner of your suburban garden, there is something here for you.

Be careful if you are still at the stage of deciding whether or not self-sufficiency is for you. Because to read this book is to be in doubt no longer and you'll be putting a For Sale sign up outside your urban abobe.

You too can live off the fat of the land!

The 'How-to' for Dreamers
The most wonderful book, which tells you just enough about everything you might need to know.

John Seymour looks at how to be self-sufficient with whatever you have - from a window-box, to 1 acre, to 5 or 10 acres, to 100+ acres. When you are making do with a window-box, this book also provides excellent and realistic day-dreaming opportunities about upgrading to a real smallholding!

He obviously knows what he is talking about - there is no wasted space, or idle talk. Every sentence not only useful but interesting. Even the most experienced farmer could learn something new here, as the book covers a vast range of skills for life, from preparing land and growing food to butchering animals and storing food. The book is well laid-out, with line-drawn colour illustrations which are very helpful.

This book is very matter of fact and doesn't preach the virtues of the good life, but you will find yourself wanting it. It's like a detailed instruction book for something that you very much want to buy.

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!