Earth Knack: Stone Age Skills for the 21st Century [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

~ (Author), Robin Blankenship (Author) "FEW OF US ARE REALLY GOING TO "CHUCK IT ALL" and live as hunter-gatherers in the wilds, like our Stone Age ancestors did..." (more)
Key Phrases: netting knot, tinder nest, pitch glue, Stone Age (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

6X9 In, 160 Pp, 25 Black & White Photos, < 300 Black & White Illustrations < Chuck It All and Live In A Cave? No < Way! Adopt Some Stone Age Skills? < Absolutely! This Information-Packed < Book Doesn't Just Talk, It Shows You < Ways To Bring The Best of Our < Environment Into Your Life. The < Relevant Skills and Ideas In Earth Knack < Will Not Only Have You Creating Objects, < But Will Also Give You A New Sense of < Self-Fulfillment and Self-Worth.

From the Inside Flap

Contents Introduction Fire Rope String Thread Tools Color Baskets Buckets Bowls Pottery Food and Cooking Soap Animals Glue Music Getting Dressed

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Gibbs Smith; 1st edition (April 13, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879057335
• ISBN-13: 978-0879057336
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #361,935 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best sources for this type of information, October 10, 2004

By	Harold McFarland (Florida) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

If you are looking for a book on basic primitive living skills you will find a goldmine of information in Earth Knack. The broad range of areas covered include making fire, making cordage (from vegetable and animal sources), making tools, tanning, flintknapping, making dyes and colors, baskets, bowls, pottery, food and cooking, soap, music, and clothing.

Each chapter provides everything you need to know to complete a couple of projects of that genre but is hardly a thorough treatment of the subject. For example the food and cooking, animals, and getting dressed sections each could easily consume two or three books and there are many on the market that do. What this book provides is a thorough introduction to the skills and the ability to develop confidence by going through several projects.

Although most areas are not covered in detail, some areas are covered better than any other book of this nature I have seen. For example, fire, cordage, baskets, buckets, and bowls are all treated in detail. It contains an unusually good section on flintknapping and an excellent section on making fire. While the techniques are mentioned in other books this is the first one I have read that provided sufficient information to figure out what you are doing wrong if it doesn't work. For example the first several times I tried to create a fire with friction I only created a glazed effect on the wood. This is the only book that mentioned what caused it and what to do about it.

For anyone wanting a broad introduction of all the basic skills of primitive living, Earth Knack is a highly recommended book.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eath Knack Stone Age Living Skills, May 15, 2000

By A Customer

This book is well written and encourages the reader to be an active participant in the process of discovery (or re-discovery, as the writers may contend). The book is cleverly illustrated and fun to read, offering a wealth of information I have not found in any other sourcebook on primitive skills. I found myself jumping off the couch to venture outside to collect plants for dyeing fabric. Later, I used the description of how to make cordage from native plants found right in my own backyard. I would stongly recommend this book to anyone interested in practical, hands-on, primitive skills.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Earth Knack gives you the know-how, August 31, 2002

By	William Daniel Staley (Saginaw, michigan United States) - See all my reviews

I know Robin and Bart and enjoyed both their book as well as the excellant Earth Knack School that Robin runs . Both their school and this excellant book focus on hands-on. If you fully intend to learn the skills your ancestors used to keep alive this is THE BOOK. Filled with outstanding drawings that guide you through each skill in a step by step fashion Earth Knack points the way and leaves it up to you to take the path.