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Playing It For Laughs - a book of doggerel (1999). San Francisco: Metanoia Press. (with illustrations by Kate Seymour) Second Edition. Mimeographed on Carlton and Mustang paper with an ivory Plastisheen cover; 185 copies finished April 10, 1974.
How to Brew by John Palmer ~ A really good basic intro, including all the steps. I love this one because it explains why you do each step, as opposed to other books that just provide the steps with no context or rational. It provides a solid foundation, that will allow you to design your own recipes later since you’ll understand the principles of brewing beer at home. When it comes to health, people who have dreams of being self-sufficient might consider looking into natural medicines and alternative treatments for their health problems and ailments. If medical attention is needed, there is no shame in accepting a conventional route and treatment. What Does Self-Sufficiency Mean in Economics? Mastering Artisan Cheesemaking: The Ultimate Guide for Home-Scale and Market Producers by Gianaclis Caldwell ~ An incredible guide that really dives deep into the “why” of cheesemaking. It’s less a recipe book, and more a technical book that will allow you to understand what’s happening in the cheesemaking process start to finish for just about every style of cheese.The books above are straightforward and to the point, and though I’m 15+ years into homesteading I still learned quite a lot from them. The concept of slf-sufficiency has been around for centuries and has been used in various ways throughout history. It refers to a country, region, or economic system’s ability to produce and consume goods and services without relying on imports from other countries. In other words, a nation can provide for its own needs without outside help. Eighth Edition. Chapters called “Poultry,” “Meats,” “Definitions and Measures,” “Home Industries,” “Vegetables,” “Sweets,” and “Oddments” were revised. Starting March 1990, about 3,000 copies were made by copy machine. Gradually upgraded through various printings; another 1,000 done by offset. Again 3-hole-punched, bound with 2-inch metal binder rings.
First Edition. By subscription only, arriving in 4 consecutive shipments, mimeographed on Fibertint; 875 copies finished about March 1, 1974. If you’re specifically interested in Permaculture, I have a separate article covering the best permaculture books and why I love each one. Most food preservation books cover a single topic in depth, rather than the subject of food preservation in general. It’s easy enough to find canning books, or fermenting books, or dehydrator books…but general manuals that cover all manner of food preservation techniques are much less common.
Home Building & Carpentry Books
Energy self-sufficiency is a term used to describe the ability of an individual or community to sustain itself with energy resources. It refers to the capacity to produce enough energy from renewable sources, such as solar, wind and water power, to meet all its needs without relying on external sources. I am slightly obsessed with the French culture since I spent a lot of my early adulthood hanging out with French chefs and farmers, eating like the rich and famous, while living on a working-class budget. So, when I stumbled upon the video about Le Ferme du Bec Hallouin and saw how incredibly productive and beautiful it was, I had to buy their book too. The Art of Making Fermented Sausages by Stanley and Adam Marianski ~ A detailed technical manual specific to making cured sausages. While living off the grid can be a lifestyle, pursuing alternative sources of energy is an engaging (and potentially useful) hobby in itself. Alternative energy sources such as solar, wind and hydro are ideal for those looking to become more self-sufficient.
After you’ve mastered beginners recipes and want to take it a step further, I’d recommend these Intermediate and Advanced Cheese making books:It is important to note that self-sufficiency comes in different forms and shapes. What one person may consider being self-sufficient, another may label self-reliant. The two terms are actually quite similar. Self-Sufficiency (1973). London: Faber & Faber. (With Sally Seymour.) The original self-sufficiency guide. If living off-grid in a self-built cabin, growing 90% of your own food, and living 100% off of rainwater is your thing (a la Doug and Stacy vibes), then great; you’re your own version of self-sufficient. If all you have room for is a tomato plant on the windowsill of your 6th-floor city flat, congratulations! You’re what’s known as ‘self-sufficientish’! How Do You Measure Self-sufficiency? This is one of the best, most famous books for self sufficient homesteaders, bushcrafters, and all types of people who care about self reliance.
Wild food and foraging guides are often really regionally specific, as plants vary from place to place. My favorites are actually more generalist foraging books, that cover plants with wide ranges so they’re applicable across most the US. Not everyone’s going to move to land out in the country, and many people are just looking for a way to incorporate small DIY projects into their routine. Wind turbines capture the kinetic energy from wind and convert it into usable electricity that can be stored in batteries or fed directly into an electrical grid. If you’re looking to build your own home, these resources cover the best techniques for doing it right. Kristin and her (now) husband Mark, went all-in on a full-service CSA while also navigating the travails of learning to live together and plan a wedding. Their story, from Kristin’s wry perspective, makes for a dramatic and memorable memoir that proves the adage whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.I know I’ve covered a lot of great Self Reliance Manuals, but I’ve definitely missed some good ones. Building Small Barns, Sheds and Shelters by Monte Burch ~ A basic guide to building homestead outbuildings. Beyond that, there are literally hundreds of dehydrator recipes that allow you to preserve whole meals (rather than just single ingredients). No self-respecting homesteader’s reading list would be complete without the most influential self-sufficiency biography ever written. The Nearings have influenced just about every other author on this list in some ways.
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