A Greener Life: A Modern Country Compendium

by Clarissa Dickson Wright, Johnny Scott

Green living is an obviously important trend with the environment being at the forefront of global concerns. Beautiful and informative, this book is highly inspirational for anyone who dreams of living a simple and rewarding lifestyle. A Greener Life is a comprehensive guide to being more self-sufficient in everyday life. Informative, witty and practical, this inspirational book shows readers how to adopt a more natural and harmonious way of life regardless of the size of their home or garden. Readers will learn to grow their own vegetables, use alternative energies, learn to knit, use natural paints, keep livestock and bees, and much more. From baking bread to home brewing, A Greener Life shows readers how to live the good life in a healthy, organic way.

Genres: Cooking

256 pages, Hardcover

First published September 10, 2007

About the author

Clarissa Theresa Philomena Aileen Mary Josephine Agnes Elsie Trilby Louise Esmerelda Dickson Wright is an English celebrity chef and food historian who is best known as one half, along with Jennifer Paterson, of the Two Fat Ladies. Having trained as a lawyer, at the age of 21, Dickson Wright passed her exams and became the country's youngest barrister. She is also one of only two women in England to become a guild butcher.

Reviews

[Juli Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

The plethora of information and the organization of this book may be a bit intimidating to homesteading newbies. There are some interesting topics covered here, though, and a pleasant mix of fact and lore, especially in the later sections. Authorial voice ranged from pleasantly cheeky to unnecessarily acerbic at times, including making some ill-judged and mean-spirited cracks about vegans that even I (I'm not vegan) took some offense to. All in all, not the best book on the market in this genre.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a comprehensive introduction to self-sufficiency in all sorts of things. However, I disagree with at least one of the authors on many things, including several aspects of what they consider to be greener living. I bristled at many of the offhand comments, the biological innaccuracies, and of course the nonsense that is lunar gardening. Read for ideas of things to do, but do your own research.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

What an amazing book. I guess Clarissa & Johnny have a t.v series in the UK, from which this book is derived. It looks like they live an old-school farm existence. The book touches on topics ranging from organic gardening, to hunting, to animal husbandry, natural cleaning, various fiber crafts, cooking and baking, and how to green your home. They do it all, and it looks like very hard work. A Greener Life, indeed. Interspersed with time-tested wisdom, bold statements of opinion, and frank observation. Gotta love them Brits!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This doesn't really lend itself to read vs. currently reading. It is more of a reference book. I've read sections on areas of interest for improving my garden. Lots and lots of good stuff.