Book Review: Homesteading

   
    This little book is a nice addition to your library on self-sustainable living.  It is not an in-depth encyclopedia, but does have lots of valuable and basic information on a wide variety of topics.  This is a book for you if you are interested in living simpler, and as all of you are beginning to realize, I believe we will be living much simpler lives in the near future.  And whether we do that by choice or by necessity, you can never have enough reference material to turn to.

     Also, in it's favor is the incredibly low price on Amazon.  For just under $17, you have easy-to-read and easy-to-follow instructions on a variety of subjects:  from sections on "The Home Garden" which includes improving your soil, organic gardening, and pest and disease management; to "Simple Structures for Your Land" which provides information on birdhouses, smokehouses, fences, gates and pens; to "Energy" and instruction on solar, wind, hydropower, and even composting toilets.

     The "Crafts" section includes information on handmade candles, making your own soap, knitting, and basketweaving.  A section on "Well Being" did not impress me that much, but offered entertaining advice on massage, wallpapering, and feng shui, (somehow I don't think we will be worried about the "balance" of our homes when faced with TEOTWAWKI).  This section also included more applicable information on herbal medicine and natural cosmetics, natural disasters, and first aid, which made it more relevant for my uses.

     So while this may not be the most comprehensive or exhaustively researched book, you can glean quite a bit of valuable information to live a simpler, self-sufficient lifestyle.  By definition, "homesteads" consist of a farmhouse and outbuildings, (or pretty basic living) and this 456-page book is about creating a lifestyle that meets your basic needs---including energy, food, financial and health needs.  So if you want to be a responsible steward of your family in the coming hard times, you can gain inspiration, information and basic directions from this "Backyard Guide" to a leaner lifestyle.  

John 6:35    "Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst."