EarthKnack

by Bart Blankenship

Earth Knack is a comprehensive how-to book for using Stone Age skills to fulfill your daily needs from materials readily at hand. Anyone who tries these ideas will find them environmentally appropriate and uniquely fulfilling. Here are just a few skills to enrich you experience and give you a feeling of self reliance. -Twist and weave strong cord and rope from plant and animal fibers. -Learn the basics of flintknapping. -Boil a batch of natural hide glue, one of the strongest adhesives known. -Extract natural dyes and pigments from earth and plants. -Create a flute, drum or tambourine for hours of musical fun. -Cut and stitch an elegant buckskin skirt or shirt. -Mold a clay pot for cooking. -Brew pine needle tea or mix a batch of acorn muffins

Genres: Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published April 13, 2001

Reviews

[Anne Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really interesting "how to" book on primitive crafts of the practical kind: stone knives, pottery, clothing, natural glues, etc. It's good enough to be a "keeper" for me so I can perhaps try my hand at some of the things. It has good descriptions along with nice line art that can be followed while trying your hand at the various items. For those interested in primitive arts or just looking to break the boredom on a camping trip or backcountry trip, this would be a good book.

[Marjorie Elwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've ever wondered how to make fire, tan hides, or knap flint, this is the book for you. Easy-to-understand instructions paired with drawings that help illustrate the techniques. Having said that, I've taken a workshop from Robin Blankenship and the stone-age skills are anything but easy! Our ancestors were talented, smart, and strong.