Homestead Survival: An Insider's Guide to Your Great Escape

by Marty Raney

A practical guide to self-sufficient and sustainable living from the star of Homestead Rescue .

Do you wish for a more resilient, sustainable, and empowered way of providing for your family in uncertain times? Are you worried about unreliable power grids, uncertain water supplies, or overly complex food chains? Veteran homesteader and star of Discovery's Homestead Rescue Marty Raney shares a big-picture vision of how ordinary families can become radically resilient powering, feeding, and caring for themselves through their own efforts, and on their own land.
 
This book will guide you
  •  buy land with the natural resources to build and feed a homestead
  •  go off grid with your own power and water systems
  •  design a greenhouse that will keep growing even when it’s snowing
  •  confidently defend your home against all threats—grizzlies, forest fires, flash floods, and financial challenges
 
Resources are only going to get more scarce. Raney will teach you to find food where others see dirt, and to build a home where others see empty land. He will inspire you to forge your own homestead dream and strengthen your family for all challenges to come.
 

Genres: Audiobook, Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

Published September 13, 2022

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid Guide To Things To Consider Before Committing To Homesteading. If you've seen so much as a single episode of Homestead Rescue, the Discovery Channel show where Marty Raney travels the US with his younger daughter Misty and his younger son Matt assisting homesteaders with critical issues on their properties, you largely know what to expect from this book - both in terms of content and style. Listening to the Audible in particular, which Raney narrates himself, you absolutely hear the exact same speech cadences and tones Raney is known for on the show in the Audible. The overall book content is basically a summation of a lot of the same points he makes throughout the show regarding the various elements of homesteading, though in the case of the book here you also get a few specific places to look for information that aren't always discussed on the show, as well as some specific product recommendations. Raney is also clear, however, that he does in fact make mistakes - including among the final chapters when his own mistakes in a COVID-based mental fog cost him the house he had built and lived in for decades as a fire began specifically because of a wood burning stove he both knew he had to replace... and already had the replacement stove in the house, waiting to be hooked up!

Overall a seemingly comprehensive guide to the various issues to consider before attempting to create a homestead yourself, if mostly general and a touch prevaricating (in that he is quite honest that specifics you need in your situation will always come down to the details of your own property and what you may have access to on/ near it), this is absolutely a book to read if you're remotely considering the possibility of living this particular lifestyle at all. Even if you're not, this is still a great general guide on how to prepare for a wide variety of scenarios that one may face even in suburban or even urban situations, though his recommendations for handling those scenarios are more explicitly designed for a more rural lifestyle. (As a general example, his suggestions for say livestock in particular won't work in an urban setting where even chickens tend to be banned, but at least some of his suggestions for gardening could work in even window planter sized gardens.)

Truly a fascinating book, though one that I do suspect will have more market share among those already fans of the show and/ or already active in the homesteading community than necessarily a wide public appeal - but hey, maybe I'm wrong there.

Very much recommended.

This review is also available on BookAnon.com.

[Marsha R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Homestead Survival by Marty Raney is an insightful and practical guide for anyone interested in the self-sufficient lifestyle of homesteading. The book offers a wealth of information on crucial aspects like setting up a homestead, managing gardening, raising livestock, and preparing for natural disasters. Raney shares his extensive knowledge, making the complex task of living off the grid feel achievable for both beginners and experienced homesteaders. From sustainable farming techniques to ensuring your home and land can withstand natural challenges, this book is an invaluable resource. Its down-to-earth approach and detailed advice make it a must-read for anyone wanting to embark on a homesteading journey.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought is was a very good, straightforward and no-nonsense discussion of the best ways to get started and the many things to consider and plan for to try to mitigate the things that could sideline a fledgling homestead. I liked Raney's style - he's got a congenial tone and makes jokes that made me laugh, dad jokes though they are. It was light-hearted and not heavy. Maybe not the most detailed in some areas but as a first step very excellent.

[Jeanene Arrington Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fan of Homestead Rescue and a rural homesteader, it was great to read a bit more detail about projects covered on the tv series. I love Marty's wit and am inspired by his family. The last of the book goes into some additional details about the loss of their home to fire. There are so many points to this book potential homesteaders should know BEFORE embarking into the backcountry!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marty Raney does not disappoint with his entertaining humor. This book serves as a solid overview of some homesteading approaches you can take.

This book should suit people looking for ideas and what to research in order to guide them through the vast search results online.

[Terri Cruze · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book not only covered all the important topics from finding the right property to troubleshooting water problems, food resources, structural issues, and disaster preparedness, it does so with Marty’s quick wit and charm.

[Kayla Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this read. Lots of great information, puns, and fun/heartwarming/sad anecdotes, and personality. I feel that anyone interested in the material at all would like this book, Marty is such a great narrator for it too.

[Tom Withers · Rating 4 out of 5]

One day I will have a homestead in Alaska like Marty Raney. This book made me dream deep dreams of faraway places. I'm knocking a star off for the discontent I now feel about living in the rat race while he's out there in Alaska!

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredible guide to building your very own homestead. He goes through almost every scenario possible that could impact your very own home stead.

[Kathryn Bateman · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a reader at the start of their homestead research.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darn good book

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Homestead Rescue in a book: showing important things to research before getting into a homestead. It also mentions many visits to different homesteads he did to assist them before they lost it all.

[Ethan Petuchowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learned some practical wisdom and enjoyed the storytelling along the way.