The new Complete Book of Self Sufficiency By John Seymour (Dorling Kindersley, Penguin, RRP $65)
Reviewed by Robert Guyton - Southland Times
If you have room on your bookshelf for only one book on raising, growing and making your own, this is it.
This expanded version of John Seymour's previously published handbooks on self-sufficiency is as complete as could be hoped for. With chapters on crafts and skills, preparing and cooking home grown food, brewing and wine making, all things to do with dairy along with growing a vegetable garden, a field of grains and raising livestock, you'll have little need to look elsewhere for ideas.
Each of the topics is beautifully supported by subtly-tinted drawings that provide the detail you'll need if you are going to try your hand at the practical activities described in the book.
Should there be a need for us all to become a little more self-reliant; grow food in our own gardens, make our own bread, keep some animals or build a shelter, John Seymour's latest "do-it-yourself" contribution, will prove a very valuable tool.
The author describes his book as 'the classic guide for realists and dreamers'; those who have their sleeves rolled up and are already shaping their world with spade, spindle and saucepan and those who love to pour over beautiful books and imagine how a life of independence and creativity could be.
