The Modern Homestead Manual [Paperback]

Skip Thomsen (Author), et al (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1998

What it really takes to succeed beyond the sidewalks and power lines. Discover the tried-and-true secrets from those who have made wilderness living a success. This is the rest of the story: the information you don't see in most "homesteading" publications! The Modern Homestead Manual builds hope and confidence, dispels myths, and tells it like it is.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Builds confidence, dispels myths, and tells it like it is. A great how-to resource! A book of homesteading truths! -- Pearl Sanborn, Frugally4U Website Review

It's seldom I get excited about a book, but I'm excited about this one. Skip Thomsen and his wife, Cat Freshwater, have produced what I believe to be the best homesteading manual in years. It's not pie-in-the-sky stuff, but straight talk about the difficulties, as well as the rewards of moving to the country and becoming self- reliant. Too many people who have sought to go back to the land have been bushwhacked by things many back-to-the-land books never talk about, such as how to make a living so you can stay in the country. This book talks about them and tells how to deal with them.

A run through the chapter titles...will give an idea of its scope. The book also includes a resource guide that tells where to find what you don't already have and the printed resources that are already available.

"The Modern Homestead Manual" does not just provide good information, but also gives you the philosophy you'll need to succeed in the country. Thomsen and Freshwater have lived what they write. The book is the result of 15 years of actually doing it, solving the problems as they presented themselves, and in the end, succeeding and loving it.

Skip Thomsen has been a fairly frequent contributor to "Backwoods Home Magazine"...so I've come to trust the thoroughness of his knowledge and the clarity with which he writes. "The Modern Homestead Manual" did not disappoint me.

If you want to significantly increase your chances of success when you move to the country, or if want to take a fresh look at what you are currently doing in the country, this book will be a sound investment in your future. -- By Dave Duffy, Publisher of Backwoods Home Magazine, Dec. 1994

It's seldom I get excited about a book, but I'm excited about this one! -- Dave Duffy, Backwoods Home Magazine

From the Publisher

Thomsen and Freshwater built their 108-acre homestead from scratch. They built their home (mostly from recycled materials), a big shop, several other buildings, their own electrical and water systems; they dealt with five feet of snow, educating their son, earning a living, and all of the other challenges that face today's homesteaders. Over the years, they thoroughly enjoyed their successful homesteading adventure, and this book is their effort to share their secrets of success.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 217 pages
• Publisher: Oregon Wordworks; 2nd edition (December 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0962596078
• ISBN-13: 978-0962596070
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #468,409 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great how-to resource. A book of Homesteading truths!, September 29, 1998

By 

Pearl Sanborn ([e-mail]) (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Modern Homestead Manual: What It Really Takes to Succeed Beyond Sidewalks and Power Lines (Paperback)

When I picked up The Modern Homestead Manual, and opened the front cover, I read the dedication - the forward - the introduction - chapter 1 ..........all the way to the reference section!

Unlike many books that I pick up, this book held my attention from page one! There is nothing more frustrating than reading through a "how-to" manual, and never really getting to the good stuff! There are volumes of books that tell "what" you should do, it's so refreshing to read a book that actually gives you some "how-to" information.

If you're desire is to be more self sufficient, this book is a great place to start! There are so many opinions as to the real meaning of homesteading. I love the simple meaning that Skip & Cat give:

Homesteaders  =  Homesteaders are worthy stewards of the earth.

The Modern Homestead Manual builds hope and confidence, dispels myths, and tells it like it is. Because Skip & Cat are actually living the homestead life, they are able to give us true insight on what it really takes to live beyond the power lines & sidewalks.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars worth it because it's different, January 6, 2009

By 

samm bucus (wisconsin, korea, new zealand) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Modern Homestead Manual (Paperback)

most homesteading books are the same: they start after you have moved, tell you to farm and preserve food, give an undetailed list of solar and wind options that will cost $20-30k, tell you to enjoy nature, etc. this book is different. it focuses on making sure you are ready to move, practicing and being realistic about what you are getting into, getting ready to move, planning and being realistic about an income (and not an income from farming like other books which is nice because it is different) alternative energy that isnt limitted to solar/wind. it is not a picture table, "organic lifestyle" book for people with a lot of money, but a gritty back to the land book that looks at some real aspects and issues that have made many before fail. maybe even a little redneck, but kidn redneck. woth the cost because it is so different than what else is out there and the information is valuable.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Practical information for those starting out, May 4, 2009

By 

Jennine L. Wardle (Kenmore, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Modern Homestead Manual (Paperback)

This book is a great resource, especially for those just starting out and looking for a general idea what they'll really need to get rolling. Not a lot of meat for someone farther down the road to their dreams, but good pointers (like using a portable welder as your generator!) that save you time, money or hassle.

This book is a nice change from the "every will be rosy" starter manuals... you know to expect problems, but that they aren't insurmountable with a little patience and ingenuity.