Country Life: A Handbook for Realists and Dreamers

by Paul Heiney

A practical, richly illustrated guide details how to achieve genuine country living and the pleasures and benefits of small-scale, high-quality crop and livestock production, and offers real-life options for people who want to be self-sufficient.

Genres: Nonfiction, Agriculture

192 pages, Hardcover

First published March 16, 1998

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was kind-of amazing. While it was not entirely accurate (ex. pigs aren't vegetarians, and rabbits are butchered at 8-12 weeks not 6 months), it covered just about every topic of farming you could desire. It was very broad, but also surprisingly deep into topics. I now "know" how to do "everything" - including how to make alcohol. SO YEAH.
My brain feels fat on the richness of knowledge it fed upon in this book.

[Carl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this is quite the collectors item: out of print, it fetches hundreds of dollars. (Check your library or eBay.)

It is a classic of homesteading. Everything about it is warm, welcoming and informative. Too expensive to recommend purchasing, it absolutely is worth a library request if you have any interest in homesteading or farming.

On the homesteading topic, think of Seymour's book as a reference, but Heiney's book for day dreaming.

[Misma]

its a good book

[Juli Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprisingly thorough, cheerful handbook!

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first how-to-farm book and I thought it was wonderful. I loved it so much I read it in one weekend! Heiney is like most of us who would pick up a book about how to farm: not a born farmer. He never dreamed of farming until the age of 38. The progress he has made and the knowledge he has gained is inspiring for those of us who aspire to a similar life transformation.

The book includes tons of pictures and helpful information, from selecting your land to harvesting and storing your crops (even making wine!), what kind of tools you need for what types of jobs. I especially appreciated Heiney's comparisons of what and how much you can grow on different farm sizes, how much space you need for various livestock.

I'll definitely need books on specific topics if/when I ever get my farm, but this was a great overview.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another had-to-read in my line of books about living in the country. This work is tops! Lots of illustrations, charts, educational bits and personal advice. This is a book I will purchase for myself.
Soon.

[michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

a great how to book
i love the subtitle "for realists & dreamers" i wonder which one i am??
lots of practical knowlege & fodder for the farm in my mind & maybe future?!

[Isaac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!

[Hoàng Hệ]

I like it

[Nick Woodall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of facts, figures, and photos. A fun book to have and full of information as well!