Back to Basics: A Complete Guide to Traditional Skills, Third Edition |  | Creator: Abigail R. Gehring
Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing
Category: Book
List Price: $24.95
Buy New: $15.49
as of 11/25/2009 16:06 CST details
You Save: $9.46 (38%)
New (34) Used (12) from $15.49
Seller: zp_books
Rating:  89 reviews
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 3rd
Pages: 464
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.8
Dimensions (in): 10.9 x 8.6 x 1
ISBN: 1602392331
Dewey Decimal Number: 640.973
EAN: 9781602392335
Publication Date: April 17, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com Review
"Voluntary simplicity" has become a catch phrase for what seems to be a yearning for a simpler, more self-sufficient and economical way of living in the late 20th century. This book, first published in 1981 and recently updated, was probably many folks' first in-depth exposure to the idea of a simpler life, making things by hand, and enjoying a stronger sense of control over personal budgets, home projects, and lifestyles. Hundreds of projects are listed, illustrated in step-by-step diagrams and instructions: growing and preserving your own food, converting trees to lumber and building a home from it, traditional crafts and homesteading skills, and having fun with recreational activities like camping, fishing, and folk dancing without spending a lot of money. This book will have you dreaming and planning from the first page! -- Mark A. Hetts
Product Description
Over 100,000 sold! Now newly revised and up to date, with over 2,000 color photographs and illustrations. Anyone who wants to learn basic living skills—the kind employed by our forefathers—and adapt them for a better life in the twenty-first century need look no further than this eminently useful, full-color guide. Countless readers have turned to Back to Basics for inspiration and instruction, escaping to an era before power saws and fast food restaurants and rediscovering the pleasures and challenges of a healthier, greener, and more self-sufficient lifestyle.
Now newly updated, the hundreds of projects, step-by-step sequences, photographs, charts, and illustrations in Back to Basics will help you dye your own wool with plant pigments, graft trees, raise chickens, craft a hutch table with hand tools, and make treats such as blueberry peach jam and cheddar cheese. The truly ambitious will find instructions on how to build a log cabin or an adobe brick homestead. More than just practical advice, this is also a book for dreamers—even if you live in a city apartment you will find your imagination sparked, and there's no reason why you can't, for example, make a loom and weave a rag rug. Complete with tips for old-fashioned fun (square dancing calls, homemade toys, and kayaking tips), this may be the most thorough book on voluntary simplicity available. 2,000 color photos; 200 b/w illustrations.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 89
Readers Digest "Back To Basics" Volume 3 September 10, 2009
Glenda J. Schaefer (Texas)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Book arrived well packaged, in a timely manner, & in good condition. I am well pleased with my purchase.
Great Read! August 9, 2009
S. Thompson (Colorado)
Fascinating book with detailed instructions for hundreds of simple-life skills. Highly recommended to those wishing to become less independent from the fast-paced, stressful world we live in. Best purchase we've made in a while!
Outstanding Book July 29, 2009
Ann B. Keller (Cleveland, OH USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Hats off to the editors and publisher of this awesome collection of more traditional skills, some of which are fast fading into memory! The book begins with locating and fashioning the home itself, detailing how to dig footers and a well, raise a log home, build a fireplace and moves on to gardening and pruning.
The reader is also instructed in obtaining and maintaining food sources, such as geese, ducks and rabbits, as well as canning, pickling, salting and smoking foods for the coming winter ahead. The intricacies of braided rugs and patchwork quilts are explained, as well as the art of making moccasins, baskets, simple furniture, brooms, candles, soap and natural cosmetics. Learn how to spin your own wool and dye the fleece with dozens of natural dyes.
Although practice will certainly improve the reader's skills, there is enough information contained in this book to launch an individual in the wilderness or on a rustic farm with a good measure of success. This is a must read for those who embrace a more traditional lifestyle and is a real asset to one's permanent library.
Great Book! July 3, 2009
R and C (Idaho, USA)
I love this book. The title says it all "Back to the Basics". It's very imformative. If you ever want to review the basic of how to live off the land or self sufficient this is a great book. I love all the hand crafts too.
Clean and Timely June 5, 2009
Ms Tiggy (Los Angeles, CA)
This is a really fun book! It arrived in perfect condition, and without too much of a wait.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 89
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