The The New Complete Book of Self-Sufficiency: The Classic Guide for Realists and Dreamers

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The books above are straightforward and to the point, and though I’m 15+ years into homesteading I still learned quite a lot from them. Playing It For Laughs - a book of doggerel (1999). San Francisco: Metanoia Press. (with illustrations by Kate Seymour)

The books above cover most styles of charcuterie, but if you really want to go down the rabbit hole of meat preservation there are more detailed technical manuals as well. How to Brew by John Palmer ~ A really good basic intro, including all the steps. I love this one because it explains why you do each step, as opposed to other books that just provide the steps with no context or rational. It provides a solid foundation, that will allow you to design your own recipes later since you’ll understand the principles of brewing beer at home.Edible Forest Gardens (Volume 1 & 2) ~ The original handbooks for permaculture, these are a dense read but cover everything you need to know. The concept of slf-sufficiency has been around for centuries and has been used in various ways throughout history. It refers to a country, region, or economic system’s ability to produce and consume goods and services without relying on imports from other countries. In other words, a nation can provide for its own needs without outside help. In the US, operating HAM radio requires a license, which just ensures you understand the basic principles of how it works before you get on the air. These books cover the basics, as well as how to pass the test. I am slightly obsessed with the French culture since I spent a lot of my early adulthood hanging out with French chefs and farmers, eating like the rich and famous, while living on a working-class budget. So, when I stumbled upon the video about Le Ferme du Bec Hallouin and saw how incredibly productive and beautiful it was, I had to buy their book too. In 1964 the family moved to a farm near Newport, Pembrokeshire. The 1970s saw Seymour's publication rate reach its peak. In 1973 John and Sally wrote Self-Sufficiency and in 1976 The Complete Book of Self-Sufficiency was published. Appearing shortly after the publication of E.F. Schumacher's Small Is Beautiful: A Study of Economics As If People Mattered (1973) and The Good Life's first showing on British television (1975), the sales of the book exceeded all expectations. It was also set to establish the reputation of two young publishers, Christopher Dorling and Peter Kindersley who had commissioned and edited the work. In addition to self-sufficiency he wrote four guide books in the Companion Guide series.

I know, that’s not very many…and I’ve found precious few alternative energy books worth reading. If you have any suggestions, please by all means, leave them in the comments.

Having the ability to manage money is not only a key factor in becoming financially independent, but it’s also essential for one to become self-sufficient. Self-sufficiency is the ability to rely on oneself and be able to support yourself with no outside assistance.

The New Complete Book of Self-Sufficiency (2002). London: Dorling Kindersley. (with Will Sutherland) The Knowledge: How to Rebuild Civilization in the Aftermath of a Cataclysm by Lewis Dartnell ~ No, this book does not contain everything you need to know to rebuild society, far from it. You’d need several hundred (if not thousand) volumes this size to do that. That said, it does have a lot of really insightful tutorials, and comes up with a lot of things you just wouldn’t think of. It’s not a “manual” but it is a fun read that will make you think about how the world is put together. Proto-Ninth Edition. All 12 chapters thoroughly revised, updated, and expanded. Chapters called “Sours” and “Home Industries” integrated with other chapters. Chapters called “Introduction to Plants” and “Bee, Rabbit, Sheep, and Pig” added. “Sweets” chapter renamed “Tree, Vine, Bush, and Bramble,” “Meats” now called “Introduction to Animals.” First time book ever printed on white paper. Bound like eighth edition. The main difference is that self-sufficient people are more likely to grow their own food, raise their animals and provide for themselves in a more hands-on manner. In contrast, people who are aiming to be self-reliant are more likely to rely on their own knowledge to get them through tough times. In this work, he shared tons of great ideas for a home garden, home economics, and inspiration from people who are truly living simple and good lives. He offers views on how we can make a better world. Mostly though, this is a very accessible account of how to be a homesteader and love and care for your land.Essential Guide to Radical Self Reliant Gardening by Will Bonsall ~ This is one of my favorite books, and I’ve already mentioned it twice before. Still, it’s one of the best gardening guides for homesteaders that intend to provide much of their own food, so it bares mentioning again.