If I could only have one book to reference for homesteading, It would be The Self Sufficient Life And How To Live It by John Seymour. You might say that this book was a huge influence in bringing us back to the land of black dirt where we grew up.
The first copy of this book that we ever saw was lying on our friend’s coffee table during a visit for a Sunday brunch. She had borrowed it from one of the Minneapolis public libraries. It is a curious thing that many people who live in the city have a fascination with the homesteading life. To me this is yet another testament that we all have a desire to be connected with the land.
When you first crack the cover of The Self-Sufficient Life, you notice the pictures. There are no photographs. Instead you find wonderfully detailed color illustrations which, upon first look, were done by hand with great care and patience. I think that even in the choice to do the illustrations by hand instead of publishing photographs helps re-connect the reader with the sense that doing things slowly, nature’s way is better.
However beautiful this book may be to look at, the content is even better. The most complete guide to everything homesteading we have ever seen, Seymour first lays the groundwork for why he lived the homesteading life, and then gives detailed, illustrated instructions for everything from farm layout, to preparing garden beds, to building fence, to plant and animal care and harvesting, as well as information about how to preserve and use the things you grow. There are even sections on making butter and cheese, as well as brewing and wine making. There is virtually nothing he doesn’t cover and illustrate. In fact, we have to confess that we have actually had this book laid open while we butchered some of our home raised meat.
We cannot recommend this book strongly enough. If you seek to live closer to the land, you need this book. (and we won’t say that very often). If you have no desire to even grow a garden, you should still buy this book, and as you turn through the pages, you may find that the imagery and writing of John Seymour might just convince you to try your hand.
The book is hard covered, which itself lends to the feeling of importance, and it is 408 pages, so at a list price of about $35, it is really a steal for the sheer volume of valuable information it holds.
If you would like a copy, you can click here or on the book below to get a discount. We hope you do.
Pretty neat site