The Self-Sufficient Life and How to Live It

by John Seymour
The Self-Sufficient Life and How to Live It cover
Good Books rating 4.0
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  • ID: 8629
  • Added: 2025-12-22
  • Updated: 2025-12-22
  • ISBN: 9781465483539
  • Publisher: Penguin
  • Published: 2018-09-04
  • Reviews: 3

The Self-Sufficient Life and How to Live It is a comprehensive guide to living sustainably, offering practical advice on everything from chopping trees to harnessing solar power. John Seymour, the author, has inspired thousands to make more responsible, enriching, and eco-friendly choices. This book provides step-by-step instructions on growing your own vegetables and fruit, preserving and pickling your harvest, baking bread, brewing beer, and making cheese. It also covers how to live off the land, running your own smallholding or homestead, keeping chickens, and raising (and butchering) livestock. While not everyone can move to the countryside, Seymour's message is universal, emphasizing the value of living within our means and making the most of what we have. With refreshed, retro-style illustrations and a brand-new foreword by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, this new edition of Seymour's classic title is a balm for anyone seeking solace away from the madness of modern life. The book is not just about survival skills but also about reconnecting with nature and the traditional ways of living that have been handed down through generations. It's a call to appreciate the simplicity and sustainability of a self-sufficient lifestyle.

Reviews
Off the Grid · 2010-05-03
practical 4.50

This book is a great source of information for those who want to live off the land, written by an expert in the field. The practical advice and clear explanations make it a standout guide.

Off the Grid's review emphasizes the book's practicality and the expertise of its author, John Seymour. They find the book to be an excellent resource for anyone looking to live a self-sufficient lifestyle. The clear and concise explanations are particularly noteworthy, making complex topics more accessible. They highlight the book's focus on living in harmony with the land, which aligns well with the values of the off-grid community. Overall, it's seen as a must-read for those interested in self-sufficiency.

Quick quotes

    It's a great source of information for all people who, like me, want to live off the land.

    The book was written by John Seymour, known and loved for his expertise in self-sufficiency.

    The explanations are clear and concise, making it a standout guide.

Untrained Housewife · 2009-08-16
informative 3.50

The book introduces readers to almost every aspect of a smallholding lifestyle, though it lacks detailed instructions on specific topics. It serves as a good starting point for those new to self-sufficiency.

Untrained Housewife appreciates the book's broad coverage of smallholding topics, noting that it's a great introduction for beginners. They mention that while the book touches on almost every aspect of self-sufficient living, it doesn't go into great detail on any single topic. This makes it a good starting point for those new to the lifestyle, but readers might need to supplement their knowledge with more specialized resources. The reviewer finds the book to be a valuable guide, especially for those looking to get a comprehensive overview of self-sufficiency.

Quick quotes

    Mr. Seymour does a good job of introducing readers to almost every aspect of a small holding lifestyle.

    Nothing is covered in exact detail.

    It's a good starting point for those new to self-sufficiency.

WiseBread · 1973-01-01
informative 4.00

This book covers a wide range of topics from farming to managing a homestead, making it a valuable resource for those interested in self-sufficiency. The depth of information is impressive, though it can be overwhelming for beginners.

WiseBread's review highlights the extensive scope of this book, which delves into farming, gardening, hunting, and more. They appreciate the comprehensive nature of the guide, noting that it's an invaluable resource for anyone looking to live off the land. However, they also mention that the sheer amount of information might be a bit daunting for those new to self-sufficiency. The book is praised for its practical advice and the way it encourages readers to live in harmony with nature.

Quick quotes

    The breadth of scope of this book is amazing.

    It talks about farming, gardening, and managing a homestead.

    It's a great resource for those interested in living off the land.

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