Book recommendations

[monster carrot]

Hi all,

Dad's birthday is at the end of the month, and I want to get him a book on homesteading. It's his goal to eventually move out to some land and occupy himself with doing lots of self-sustaining things, perhaps around retirement age. He really enjoys reading extensively before doing things, so I think a good book would be a great gift.

I know of the ones everyone suggests (e.g. Carla Emery's Encyclopedia) but I kind of want something that is more tailored to his interests. The "all-around" books are great, but I don't think he needs a book with literally everything, including weaving, making butter, etc. My dad is primarily interested in things like: construction, livestock, animal products (meat, hides, fiber), maybe some crops/farming, wood-working, energy production, etc. Essentially, more of the tough outdoors stuff, less of the indoor home-making stuff.

I know of some good books on these subjects individually, but they typically assume the reader wants something on a large scale. My dad would appreciate a book with some background knowledge on a little bit of everything I mentioned, and from the standpoint of a small-scale homesteader doing many different things at once. Maybe there is no book exactly like this out there, but I just thought I'd ask y'all and see what you recommend!

[homstdr74]

Originally Posted by monster carrot

Hi all,

Dad's birthday is at the end of the month, and I want to get him a book on homesteading. It's his goal to eventually move out to some land and occupy himself with doing lots of self-sustaining things, perhaps around retirement age. He really enjoys reading extensively before doing things, so I think a good book would be a great gift.

I know of the ones everyone suggests (e.g. Carla Emery's Encyclopedia) but I kind of want something that is more tailored to his interests. The "all-around" books are great, but I don't think he needs a book with literally everything, including weaving, making butter, etc. My dad is primarily interested in things like: construction, livestock, animal products (meat, hides, fiber), maybe some crops/farming, wood-working, energy production, etc. Essentially, more of the tough outdoors stuff, less of the indoor home-making stuff.

I know of some good books on these subjects individually, but they typically assume the reader wants something on a large scale. My dad would appreciate a book with some background knowledge on a little bit of everything I mentioned, and from the standpoint of a small-scale homesteader doing many different things at once. Maybe there is no book exactly like this out there, but I just thought I'd ask y'all and see what you recommend!

Here ya go---almost forgotten work from an almost forgotten genius:

http://www.amazon.com/owner-built-ho...9014683&sr=1-2

Ken Kern was a stand-up guy who tried to make life easier for all of us.

[Rose1317]

Gene Logsden has several good books he might like. Often the library will have them or can get them via inter-library loan.

[Rose1317]

PS - forgot to add the classic The Have-More Plan, and 5 Acres and Independence. both inspiring even if he doesn't want to do everything included in them.

[ronbre]

my top recommendation is always Gaia's Garden by Toby Hemenway..2nd is Carla Emerys Country Living Encyclopedia