Customer Reviews

Backyard Self-Sufficiency

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This was my introduction to Jackie French's books, and a real breath of fresh air. Finally, a book which gives practical, realistic suggestions for growing food and using what your garden gives, without trying to convert or brow-beat, as so many books in this genre do.

While Jackie acknowledges the positive environmental impact of her fairly unique gardening style, her primary rationale for growing food and using you garden is that it's fun. You get the sense that this book is not just for people who have eschewed modern conveniences and are expecting the imminent collapse of society, but in fact that anyone could do this.

Left me feeling inspired, and gave me several out-loud laughs as well.

This thin book is so full of helpful, permacultural advice you'll throw away practically every other book on gardening you have. If I could wholesale order any book and hand it out to every person I met, it would be this one. She teaches you how to make olive oil, tofu, homemade shampoos, how to grow all the vegan food you would ever need right in your backyard, including grains and beans, fruit trees, nut trees, how to make flour of nuts and even pumpkins (!). This is truly a book about creating your own life and becoming self-sufficient, while being sustainable with nature. This is not only the best gardening book I have ever read. It is quite possibly one of the best books I have ever read, period.

Just wanted to say that this book is from an Australian point of view, so you'll need an English-to-English translator (LOL) and probably a similar climate. I'm in Southern California, and the recommendations are almost exactly perfect for my climate. Reading this book made me realize that I should be looking closer at Australian sustainability efforts (especially those of the great Bill Mollison) rather than efforts from different climate zones in the U.S. (We're much closer to the Aussie temperatures and rainfall patterns than we are to those of other parts of the U.S. like the midwest, south, Pacific NW or northeast.) ANYWAY, this book is incredibly detailed and informative and highly recommended, and just so you know, when she says "silverbeet" she's talking about what we call "Swiss chard." Enjoy!