The Humanure Handbook: A Guide to Composting Human Manure (The Humanure Hand Book, 2) (Paperback)

~ Joseph Jenkins (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...outrageous humor and brilliant, diligent research." "This is one book that could save the world!" -- Permaculture Drylands Journal

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

"Jenkins provides a convincing case that human waste can and should be a safe composting material." -- Mother Earth News

"The Humanure Handbook clearly explains, in a breezy, amusing and well-illustrated format, everything-you-need-to-know-to-bring-the-out-house-in-house." -- Earth Island Journal

"almost certain to become a classic in its field." "This book should be required reading, and not only for homesteaders." -- Countryside Journal

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.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 302 pages
• Publisher: Jenkins Publishing (PA); 2nd edition (July 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964425890
• ISBN-13: 978-0964425897
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (68 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #845,220 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #23 in	Books > Home & Garden > Gardening & Horticulture > Soil
  #92 in	Books > Outdoors & Nature > Environment > Recycling

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

81 of 83 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)

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!

37 of 38 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

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.

57 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Answers those childhood questions, August 31, 2001

By	Elayne Hoover "ghiasword" (Austin, TX United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I remember when I was 6 years old and first learned that manure = poop = fertilizer. I wondered why wild-animal poop was good for plants but people poop had to be flushed. It never made sense to me.
When I first saw this book, I thought it was a joke and I didn't even crack the cover to see what it was about. However, recently I decided to take up organic gardening and I ran across the Humanure concept again. This time, it was clear that the book is not a joke. It is serious! But it is also tremendously exciting. Now, whenever someone says the word "compost" to me, grin and my eyes light up. I can't wait to build my own sawdust toilet and finally add my own poop to nature's cycle, the way I've wanted to since I was 6 years old!