My wife and I are leaning more and more towards living green and sustainable living. The problem is, there are so many different philosophies and resources out there, we don't know where to begin. I'm basically looking for two good books we can read that will get us on our way: one about sustainable living in general and one with some good how to's (canning, raising chickens, etc...) Suggestions?
I know about the book archive here but it hasn't been much help to me.
Good introductory books about sustainable living?
Subscibing to the magazine "Countryside" would be a good start. Thay have lots of stuff on many different subjects written by people who are actually doing it. It's always written in easy to understand terms as the writers are everyday folks like the readers. I really enjoy it.
The internet is a good option to as you can research a particular subject and get so many ideas on the one subject. I enjoy doing that.
Good luck with your endeavors. I look forward to the day when I have my own place and can implement things I have learned.
We also have a Sustainable Living forum you may want to visit. Tons of good information and very helpful people.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/f/gogreen/all/
This message was edited Nov 14, 2007 1:35 PM
I have the book The Rural Living Handbook by the editors of Mother Earth News. I don't know if it is still in print but a quick check on Amazon.com (or Half.com) should turn up a used copy. It starts with a section on Land, Shelter and Logistics followed by Tools and Horsepower then Husbanding Plants and Animals and finally 70 or so pages on The Country Kitchen (canning, cheesemaking, wine making, curing meats, bread, wood cookstoves, etc.)
Ah Darius, you are contributing to my book envy again :) Sounds like another one that I need to add to my 'books to acquire' list. Due to my new - buy something, get rid of something personal agenda, I have to do more book culling before I can add new stock. But I find it helps me to really decide what I need, versus what I want. And there is always the library :)
Yes, I have many books that cause envy... basically because so many of them are out of print. I'm glad I was on the sustainable bandwagon back in the late 70's and early 80's... I got lots of good reference books back then.
I'm a Bill Mollison fan for the most part. In 'Introduction to Permaculture'
http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Permaculture-Bill-Mollison/dp/0908228058
he mostly talks about design, and at the same time skims over methods of sustainable living.
The chapters include (not all) design basics, sturctures, garden, field/main crop, animal systems, etc etc. He talks about power sources, fuel sources, ideas for water. I think it's a great starting point, because each chapter is packed with ideas (although they don't go into depth) about how to live a more sustainable life. You can research methods on your own, and adapt a technique to your climate or land.
I also like that he is realistic in his books, so I don't think he's setting anyone up for failure. Bill Mollison is from Austrailia, so he speaks from that point of view, speaking of methods that mostly work in the tropics. In some of his other books, like 'Permaculture: A Designer's Manual' he does this the most I think. Although that is a good book too. In 'Introduction' I think he does a better job of covering different types of climates.
Darius it looks as though the rural living handbook is a pdf on line I just went to look for the book the pdf showed up haven't downloaded it yet as DW is on her putter too and this dial up just won't do a download and let you do anything else
Great! Is it free? I think Hineni got hers used and very cheap from Amazon (or maybe half.com).
Not to butt into a conversation I am new to this lifestyle and have been reading and working this out as much as possible lately.
I was lead to a website that has a lot of interesting reading.. free for the downloading.. or reading online, thought I too would pass it on.
http://journeytoforever.org/farm_library.html
Fran
Thanks so much for the link. I've been looking around it a bit and it looks very interesting. Already learned something about ducks.
dave, I would love a linc to that book if you can find it again.. I have searched everywhere.
Fran, Thanks for the link... and Welcome!
BTW, I found a download link for a Rural Living Handbook but it isn't the book mentioned above...
ok, Ill bite.... which one is it? ;lol
Some kind of a study, as I recall... my short term memory is the pits.