The Humanure Handbook: A Guide to Composting Human Manure [Paperback]

Joseph C. Jenkins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1996

This book explains why people of the Western world do not compost their humanure, why we should, and how it can be done safely. Written by an expert with more than twenty years experience as an organic gardener, this book balances science and philosophy, data and humor. Learn how American attitudes towards waste differ from those of other cultures and how human waste impacts clean water supplies. Includes instructions for building your own outhouse and sawdust toilet.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a cult classic which might strike those without an outhouse as disgusting. But the methods outlined within have the potential to change the ecological fate of the world." New Yorker Magazine

"Despite all the books on manure and how to use it, human manure composting is not covered elsewhere, making the Humanure Handbook a fine reference for any who would learn these basics. If you're an avid composter, there's nothing like this on the market." Midwest Book Review

Finally we have a comprehensive book on recycling human excrement without chemicals, high technology, or pollution.Well written, practical, and thoroughly researched . . .
--Whole Earth Review

Almost certain to become a classic in its field. This book should be required reading. . . .
--Countryside Journal

We think The Humanure Handbook ranks right up there with Rachel Carson's Silent Spring . . .
--HortIdeas --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From the Publisher

The 1st Edition of The Humanure Handbook is out of print. Please refer to our Amazon.com page for The Humanure Handbook, 2nd Edition, Completely Revised, Expanded and Updated.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 198 pages
• Publisher: Chelsea Green Pub Co (July 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 096442584X
• ISBN-13: 978-0964425842
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 3.7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (93 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,233,153 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jenkins lives in the rural countryside of Pennsylvania, USA, with a few cats, some chickens and ducks, a dog and whatever friends and/or family members happen to be home at the time. His speaking schedule can be viewed at http://josephjenkins.com/speaking_engagements.htm.

He began self-publishing in 1994. His three titles include: The Humanure Handbook; The Slate Roof Bible; and Balance Point.

The Humanure Handbook has been recognized in the Benjamin Franklin Awards, Foreword Magazine Book of the Year Awards, Independent Publisher Awards (where it was deemed "Outstanding Book of the Year, Most Likely to Save the Planet"), and the Three Rivers Environmental Awards, and has twice been a category bestseller on Amazon.com. Jenkins has worked in Mongolia and Haiti teaching humanure composting. He also speaks on the topic worldwide. More information can be seen at humanurehandbook.com.

The Slate Roof Bible was awarded the prestigious Gold Circle Award by the National Roofing Contractors Association, as well as the Writer's Notes Book Award, and has been recognized in the Foreword Magazine Book of the Year Awards, the Independent Publisher Awards and the Writer's Digest International Self-Published Book Awards. It has also been an Amazon.com #1 category bestseller. Jenkins is Executive Director of the Slate Roofing Contractors Association of North America, Inc., a non-profit trade association. He also speaks on the topic of slate roofs world-wide. More information can be seen at slateexperts.com.

Balance Point, addresses the predicted worldwide global ecological collapse scientists say will occur in 20-40 years.

Please visit the author's web sites at josephjenkins.com, slateroofcentral.com, slateroofwarehouse.com, slateexperts.com, traditionalroofing.com, humanurestore.com and humanurehandbook.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

146 of 149 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars K.I.S.S., August 6, 2005

By 

Beverley A. Sutton "bevhealthnut" (Clifton, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Humanure Handbook: A Guide to Composting Human Manure, 2nd edition (Paperback)

To anyone who believes that once flushed the contents of the toilet are "safe" and "away", I recommend reading this book. To those more informed who are looking at an expensive commercial composting toilet ... I recommend reading this book before you make your decision. K.I.S.S. - Keep It Simple Stupid!

Joe Jenkins offers an inspiring, humorous, well-researched and well-written book. He makes what should be a very obvious point ... flushed "away" or thrown "away" doesn't mean gone ... it merely means "someplace else", and worse ... someone else's problem.

We live in rural AZ where, as far as I am concerned, deliberate water wastage should be considered a crime. Defecating and urinating into our rapidly diminishing, precious water supply is the true definition of madness! It is time for the world to wake up and remember what Nature has always taught ... the function of all organic matter is to enrich and replenish the soil.

For those worried about contamination and their health ... I offer these words (coincidentally from another composting toilet book that, other than this quote, isn't worth the paper it's printed on!):

"Healthy humans excrete healthy E. coli (only some strains of this bacteria can make you ill) and other healthy bacteria. If you are healthy, and you compost your excrement, then you use this on food crops, you will not infect yourself with any diseases that you did not have before"

Regardless, a properly designed and maintained thermophilic compost pile, as per Jenkins' instructions, will reach temperatures in excess of 160 F (71 C) and this is proven to kill all known pathogens (disease causing organisms) in 24 hours. He recommends that the capped (i.e. no new additions) pile stands for at least a year before use, absolutely ensuring its safety.

I simply do not understand how people can blithely trust commercial manure (from cows and chickens known to carry the most dangerous forms of fecal organisms) and yet are afraid of their own humanure?

Yes ... at times the book is a little repetitive ... but perhaps like many teachers Joe knows that many people have to hear the facts several times before they truly listen and understand.

We've been living on our homestead for just over a year now ... and our first "Joe Jenkins Method" humanure compost pile is capped and waiting for us to harvest its bounty next spring. Using his method ensures there are NO odors, NO flies, NO problem with marauding animals, and best of all ... NO WASTED WATER!

THANK YOU JOE!

57 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book rocks. A Microbiologist forgot to mention:, March 29, 2005

By 

Lieutenant Homunculus - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Humanure Handbook: A Guide to Composting Human Manure, 2nd edition (Paperback)

Keep in mind that the author of this book composts his humanure with all of his other compost material. By properly placing the humanure material in the center of your larger compost pile you will eliminate any sort of pathogen disaster that A Microbiolgist warns of. Granted, his concerns are valid, but don't despair, composting humanure is easy and sawdust toilets are most excellent party favors.

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Improved Our Lives!, March 11, 2003

By 

katlupe (Oxford, NY United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Humanure Handbook: A Guide to Composting Human Manure, 2nd edition (Paperback)

This book improved our lives as soon as I finished it! Thank you Joe Jenkins! After living for four years with a well known brand of composting toilet, the sawdust toilet in this book has finally given us simple living. I read this book cover to cover the day I got it. My husband built it in one hour and we started using it. Simplicity at it's best! Everything in this book makes total sense. I only wish I'd bought this book four years ago when we first moved to our homestead. I highly recommend it-it should be required reading to live in this country!