The Indispensable Book of Practical Life Skills

by Nic Compton

Ever tried to hang a pair of curtains, carve a joint of meat or wash a cashmere jumper and found the result far from perfect? Essential practical skills just don't seem to be taught anymore so how are we meant to cope? Don't worry - help is at hand. "The Indispensable Book of Practical Life Skills" tells you everything you need to know to be a fully functioning adult in today's busy world. Divided into four highly illustrated chapters - house and garden, health and beauty, travel and sports and accident and emergency - this book offers manageable step-by-step advice on how to cope with the practical challenges of every day life. All those skills that you never quite managed to learn but that older generations seem to know intuitively will suddenly be at your fingertips - whether it be skinning an animal, making compost or mending a hem. This guide is utterly it is your mum, dad, grandparents, mentor, driving instructor and teacher all rolled into one. Never again will you wonder how you missed out on that essential practical advice when your DIY book shelves collapse to the floor once more.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Reference, How To

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Nic Compton is a writer/photographer specialising in sailing - but with a keen interest in environmental issues. After an idyllic childhood on boats in the Mediterranean, he returned to the UK at age 14 to complete his formal education, including in a degree in English with American & Commonwealth Arts at Exeter University. After a decade or so working as a journeyman shipwright, he studied Journalism at City University, eventually fetching up at the offices of Classic Boat in land-locked Croydon. He was deputy editor and then editor of the magazine from 1994 to 2000. That was when he gave up the security of the monthly pay packet for the vagaries of freelance life. Since then he has travelled the world as a writer/photographer, contributing to a variety of magazines, and has written 15 books mostly about boats. He recently completed an MA in Global Political Economy at Sussex University, and co-wrote two books about economics. He currently lives by the River Dart in Devon, UK, from where he sails a Romilly 22 called Ramona. More information at www.niccompton.co.uk.

Reviews

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

the indispensable book was a collection of 1-2 page "how-to" excerpts of very basic knowledge. the topics were broadly divided into 4 over-arching sections (home & yard, health & beauty, travel & sports, and accident & emergency) each divided into 3 sub-sections. topics ranged from how to arrange flowers to how to perform CPR... needless to say, none of these were comprehensive, but the basics remained intact.

as the title indicates - some of these are indispensable: how to jump start a car, treating a dog bite, using a life raft and tying a number of knots & hitches.

illustrations were a mixture of photographs and "period drawings" from the early 20th century and the topics included a bit of general knowledge (trivia) to help facilitate an understanding of the topic.

[Keshia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some of the practical life skills were more survival skills than day to day, live like a functioning adult skills. I was looking for something more along the lines of, what should every adult know how to do- buy stamps, write checks, insurance, vote, etc. So it just wasn't what I was expecting.

[Amberwench · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting collection of useful, helpful, and sometimes odd how-to advice. Perfect gift for the person who loves random facts, or use as a waiting room/ bathroom book to spend a few minutes more occupied.

[Samyy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A not-totally useless guide. Some interesting and useful tidbits, though I may be taking some of my knowledge of things for granted. Worth a read for anyone who feels like they don't know how to do anything. If you didn't before this, you will after.

[Beka · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of thorough and interesting information paired with quirky pictures and helpful diagrams. Probably would have been extremely helpful before one could google all of that information.

[Gerald Kinro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Changing diapers? Sweeping a room? Wearing a suit? Changing diapers? Surviving a bear attack? This book has it all and more. Needless to say, it did not disappoint. It is simply written and well illustrated. Actually, I could use a small fraction of the life skills mentioned, but I went at this want for the fun of reading.

[hissi · Rating 5 out of 5]

with this book u shall never be helpless ever again.. great price for loads of info, sometimes when im bored.. i do one of the things there.. and let me tell ya. there are a lot of things u can do with this book. in practically everything!!

[Edith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Merci pour la page : Comment s'échapper d'une voiture tombée à l'eau. ;)