More Forgotten Skills of Self-Sufficiency

by Caleb Warnock

Your ancestors knew how to live self-sufficiently—now you can follow in their footsteps! Bestselling author Caleb Warnock is back with a new collection of money-saving and healthy-living skills to help your family gain independence and self-reliance. Learn how to -Grow self-seeding vegetables -Build raised garden beds using step-by-step instructions -Collect water from rain and snow -Make your own laundry detergent -Find wild vegetables for everyday eating Discover these tricks and more from the author of The Forgotten Skills of Self-Sufficiency and Backyard Winter Gardening. You can be a living example of independence for the rising generation, and avoid grocery store prices while you’re at it. Whether you’re growing an organic family garden or running a no-nonsense household, More Forgotten Skills of Self-Sufficiency is a must-have guide to becoming truly self-reliant for you and your family.

Genres: Nonfiction, Gardening, Self Help, Reference

347 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 11, 2013

Reviews

[Sam · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow.
I don't know anything about this author, and frankly after skimming just the first two chapters, I am baffled and appalled.

First, at the end of chapter one, when discussing freeze-dried and canned powdered foods: "How much have you spend on freeze-dried bulk foods since you were married?".
Sir.
Sir, that is making two very big assumptions.
I am neither a purchaser of Freeze-Dried foods, nor am I married. If your book is supposed to be ONLY for (and I'm just gonna go there) married heterosexual survivalists...maybe make that clearer from the first page?

But it doesn't just stop there. No. The man is also fatphobic with the paragraph in chapter two under the heading "what the future holds": People who are obese and ill because of their food decisions will not be available to serve their nation, or their family during a time of need. Instead they are likely to be a burden to nation and community".

What the hell?! So now this book is also nationalist propaganda.
I'm out. Even if there IS useful information in here. The book is from 2014, and I am certain that there is some other author out there imparting the same information without the unnecessary opinions. And they *are* opinions.

[Joe Vasicek · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a lot of good stuff in here, especially in the first couple chapters and the second half of the book. There's also a fair amount of filler. It's a good introduction to the subject, but not a comprehensive guide.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our family is becoming much more self- sufficient as of late learning how to can and dehydrate what we plant in our garden. We've also begun planting perrennials instead of annuals and our raspberry, strawberry blackberry and mint bushes come back each year. I genuinely enjoyed Caleb Warnock's tips to help us apply useful knowledge and become more like the pioneers, able to survive with what they had on a harsh land. This is the first book I have read by Warnock and will be buying or checking out his other books from the library. Volume 2 is full of photos as well as practical planting advice. His use of raised winter garden boxes and cloche glass containers for year round crops is something we will test out this winter.

Caleb talked me into trying chickens and so far so good! It's been a very educational experience to have the small chicks. Out children are learning responsibility cleaning up after the feathers and droppings which we are using in our gardens. There is mention in the book of collecting rain and snow water, but I believe in my area it is illegal. Weird, right?! I also wish there were other resources besides the authors for buying and ordering heirloom seeds, but I understand he has to make a living. I find Caleb to be extremely knowledgegable and our family is implementing the ideas in the book to be better homesteaders. Recommend!

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

As always, Caleb inspires me to try something new. I may try making my own laundry detergent, I already sharpen my own razor, and I love reading about his gardening tips and seed saving. There is a lot of promotion of his seed business and his gardening tips are Utah specific (one reason I like him and purchase his books for reference), but may not be as useful outside the Wasatch Front. I will of course try some of his recommended seeds. He almost persuades me to raise chickens, but after a cooling off period I always realize that until I have my own acre and am retired, that would be folly. But I'd love to talk a neighbor into it.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stumbled upon this book at the library and I'm so glad I did. Unfortunately my library doesn't have the first book. This book references the first book a few times.
This author talks about so much: how to make laundry soap, rain and snow collection, and general self-sufficiency. This is not a prepper book. It's mostly a book on gardening all year round with food and flowers.
The author has a good sense of humor he includes in his writing and shares his personal pictures of family and his gardens.
The end of the book closes with Q&A and he also shares his email address for anyone else to contact him.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

A friend recommended this book and it does have a lot of information to offer. Warnock's main point is that there are so many skills of self-sufficiency that our grandparents or great-grandparent's knew that are being lost. While these skills may not be necessary today with technology, but they are very good to know and can save you a lot of money. And if you're growing and/or raising your own food you never need to worry about food recalls. It's a very easy to read book, but my main complaint is how he comes across - he's Mormon and seems to assume that you'll have a stay-at-home-mom or multiple kids in the picture to help run your back-in-time household. He does talk about doing what you can, but I didn't love the feel of the book. But, there is a lot of good information if you're interested in doing more for yourself. I also really liked his idea of people offering "backyard classes" to teach the skills they know or have learned. Overall, a good book with a lot of good information.

[Kristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are tons of useful tips in this book. I think the author comes off a bit self-righteous, but I totally agree with his way of thinking about being prepared. It is not about buying 40 cans of food storage and then calling it good. It is learning how to live off the land and live with what you have. I am inspired to try winter gardening (maybe not this year) so I will have to get my hands on his book on the subject. I am also going to try his method of sharpening disposable razors. Who knew?

[Jenny K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate the authors straight talk about taking responsibility and the need for this type of knowledge. I haven't had a garden for several years and this really kicked me in the pants, making want to get out there and get one in this year. There were several helpful sections, and I am interested to end some his of other books. However, he is a desert gardener, and I'm not sure how well some of his ideas and timelines will transfer to other sections of the country.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening

It was astounding to realize that we had lost so much of our original vegetation to extinction, I for one did not know this sad fact and that greed led to this, well that part made sense. Overall this book is filled with so much information. How and when to plant, what to do and what not to do, and Questions that individuals have ask over the years and Caleb's Answers, an overall good read.

[Snyderread69 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you have to just stop and think. This book makes you do that.

I like how Caleb is willing to try something and then share it. You really get the feeling that he wants to help you become self-sufficient. If we could all become a bit more self-sufficient it could make a huge difference in the overall economy.

[Gail Richmond · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of ideas, lots of opinions. I take it with a grain of salt, but the soap recipes and gardening information are solid.

[Sydney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written, very informative. Written as it's directed to parents and grandparents

[Jenny Hull-Milburn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh

[Lila Mable · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of good stuff, but the info was scattered and random, and a lot felt like a self promotion.

[Alisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book more than the first book from this author. There are a few specific ideas I want to try. The last third of the book about winter gardening and raised bed boxes I didn't enjoy quite as much. The best part was his overview about being prepared and what being self-sufficient really means. I love the idea how he can eat every day from his garden, I would love to be able to do that. I like his views on a variety of topics.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book, I need to re-read the first one again. Tons of great info for anyone who wants to save money or prepare for the zombie apocalypse. Seriously though, even if you only enjoy gardening, this book is awesome.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is better than the first with a long term self-sufficiency perspective, instead of just being prepared. Great to get thinking about possibilities for own self-sufficiency!

[Erneilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great advice for the home gardener. I totally agree with his philosophy and want to implement his approach in my own yard.

[Michael Cunningham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice style. Very informative. He makes me want to read more of his stuff and try out his techniques.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great!

[Caleb · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was good