The Guide to Self-Sufficiency

by John Seymour

Book by John Seymour

256 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1976

About the author

John Seymour was an idealist - he had a vision of a better world where people aren't alienated from their labours. As a young man, he travelled all over Africa and fought in Burma in World War II. Returning penniless to England, he lived in a trolley bus and on a Dutch sailing barge before settling on a five-acre smallholding in Suffolk to lead a self-sufficient life. He continued this lifestyle with his companion Angela Ashe on the banks of the River Barrow in County Wexford, Ireland. The two had built up the smallholding from scratch over 19 years. In his last years John, Angela and William Sutherland had been running courses in self-sufficiency from their home at Killowen, New Ross. The courses were taken by students from all over the world, who come to Killowen to learn about his lifestyle and philosophies at first hand.

He was the author of over 40 books, including the best-selling The Complete Book of Self-Sufficiency, and he had made numerous films and radio programmes. Most of his later writing and public campaigning had been devoted to country matters, self-sufficiency and the environment.

In the last 18 months, he was back on his beloved Pembrokeshire farm with his daughter Ann, telling stories to his grandchildren and writing rhyming poetry, with an acerbic wit that was his last weapon against what he saw as our destructive era.

Reviews

[Katherina · Rating 4 out of 5]

While a little dated (written before solar panels were available for affordable personal use and before the internet was basically a necessity) this book really is a guide. It gives you step by step (general) instructions on how to live on your own without relying on modern conveniences.

While some of these things seem pretty impractical (making your own bricks from home building takes months) others are great ways for us to save money and leave less of a carbon footprint (think making mulch out of yard waste, eating only fresh foods, and how to make the most of natural energy to reduce reliance on electricity).

Definitely a great read even if you don't want to go fully off grid.

[VAle · Rating 4 out of 5]

preso in biblioteca

Ho preso un bel po' di appunti da questo libro.
E' stata una lettura interessante, piena di spunti da approfondire.
Certo non è facile mettere in pratica tutti i suggerimenti, per molti è necessaria esperienza, tempo e spazio adeguati. Ma da qualcosa bisogna pur partire e di punti di partenza qui se ne trovano parecchi.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many want to raise their own food and be self-sufficient. Seymour has related a reference to aid in this task. Covers both agricultural endeavors as well as housing options. A good beginner source.

[Lorenzo Pulici · Rating 4 out of 5]

sulla fiducia.
se ne riparla quando l'aiuola fertile avrà dato tutto.

[* Bar * · Rating 5 out of 5]

la Bibbia del mio orto. Eccellente!