How to Do Things: A Timeless Guide to a Simpler Life

by William Campbell (Editor), Brian Barth (Foreword)

A useful and entertaining guide to practical skills for homesteaders--or anyone who likes to do things with their own two hands.

For anyone who wants to learn how to make cheese, catch a runaway pig, mend a fence post, milk a cow, or throw an unforgettable barn party, this engaging volume delivers timeless advice on accomplishing tasks big and small around the house, garden, and farm. Featuring original text and illustrations from the 1919 first edition, this volume presents a new generation of readers with expert guidance on every facet of homesteading.

With projects that range from practical (ridding a yard of poison ivy) to downright bemusing (organizing a potato peeling contest), this delightful book is equal parts useful and entertaining. An ode to self-reliance brimming with wit, wisdom, and nostalgia, this is a must-have for anyone who enjoys doing things with their own two hands, on the farm or in the backyard, the kitchen, or the workshop.

Genres: Nonfiction

264 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 2, 2019

About the author

Librarian Note: There are multiple authors on Goodreads with this name.

Reviews

[Beth Tabler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Chronicle Books for providing me with a copy of this in exchange for my honest review.

There seems to be a resurgence in a desire to acquire basic living knowledge and techniques. Somewhere along the industrial revolution in the twentieth century and with people leaving farm life for larger cities in droves we have lost necessary and vital knowledge that is usually passed down from one generation to the next. That is why books like this are essential and becoming ever more popular.

This book is a reissue of a 100-year-old classic. Perfect for homesteaders or anyone with that little bit self-reliance desire hidden inside them. Is it everything you need to be a homesteader? No. Is it still fun and useful? Yes. One caveat, this book may be along the lines of more nostalgic on some things. There have been quite a few advances in homesteading since it's initial release. However, it is still pertinent and will give you a great base to start building your homesteading knowledge. I recommend.

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, truly.

This is a quaint and memorable guide re-issued to us that, while from basically a century ago, holds a considerable level of application for today's readers (I found the sections on bees, tree pruning, and the recipes particularly interesting).

The book's impressive in its spectrum of subject matter: House/party etiquette, the afore-mentioned recipes, instructions on how to build or expand structures, getting rid of critters, inspecting dead chickens to see *what* killed it, games to play on a budget, advice regarding certain crops, etc.

Ever wanted to build an icehouse? Make cheese? There's a way here to do so if you're seeking that self-reliant lifestyle. Like anything else within these pages, you might want to see if anyone's thought of a better way to do any of these things, especially considering advancements in technology regarding construction. I would also caution against applying any chemicals listed here on your garden---there's definitely better (i.e. less toxic) alternatives. That being said, since this is a list of quick-and-easy things to do from generations ago, you should come at this book from an angle of appreciation, reverence, and interest.

It's an exhibit in how creative and free-thinking people had to be long ago. They were forced to make their own fun, defend against things few of us will have to defend against, and build things we might only ever see in pictures (just in this book, maybe even).

For the record, teaching an "impatient" kid how to build a paper megaphone on-the-fly is a terrible, terrible idea.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle books for the advance review.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"How to Do Things" was published in 1919 as a collection of the best articles from The Farm Journal. It's an interesting look at farming at a time when technology was changing things. They talked about a wide variety of topics, like how to best do various farming activities (relating to cattle, pigs, chickens, and horses) and pest control, or the most efficient way to wash dishes or clothing, or how to build an ice house or cellar, or the best layout for a barn or porch, or food recipes and information on canning, carving and preserving meat, or a long list of indoor and outdoor games (which usually only used common objects). It's an interesting read for those curious about how things used to be and, in some cases, useful advice on how to do things even now.

I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book full of interesting and useful hints and tips that can still be used now.
I'm fascinated by old almananacs and really appreciated this book.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC

[Victoria Marcello · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting snapshot into the early 20th century. I liked the not-so-subtle drags pointing to the cluelessness of congress and the government. However, I feel that because it was republished in 2019, I wish that they had edited out the offensive language used in 1919. It's not necessary.

Sidenote: 1919 farm parties sound kind of fun.

[BenJamen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Are you 105 years old? If not, you don't need to read this.

Downloaded per recommendation on Uncrate.com
It was written in a time where one of the "how to do things" suggests using electricity to help with your chores.

[Jessica Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this is definitely not the only book you should be referring to in the running of a homestead, it is a good guide to all the tasks that go into living a simpler life. I liked that it gave me a peak into how things once were, and how much is still the same 🏠

[AJNels]

Interesting if read in small doses, but I couldn’t stick it out to the end.

[Patricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

From this book I learned that "self-milking cows" are a thing, and I did not need to know that.

[Martina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book sends the reader back in time. While reading it, I felt like I was living on a farm in the early 1900's. This book offers the reader many tips, and troubleshooting tips for just about anything for around the farm, and house. Instructions for readers vary from maximizing your time dish washing, to dealing with lice on your swine, to party planning on a budget. I imagine this book would have been the "google" of the 1900's. If I was sent back in time I would bring this book with me, and feel very confident in the knowledge I could pull from it.

I would recommend this book to handy-men and people who like doing things old school style.

[Denice Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book of general knowledge topics that was popular many years ago. The information is still applicable today. It was very entertaining to see that the old ways can still be the best ways.