Customer Reviews

Possum living: How to live well without a job and with almost no money

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

*** EDIT *** 8/24/2009 - An updated version has been published and can be ordered: Possum Living: How to Live Well Without a Job and with (Almost) No Money

First, I should let you know that I am Dolly's younger brother (briefly mentioned in the book and in the documentary). For the many people who have asked, here and elsewhere, Dolly is very much alive and well.

To reviewer "Howard":
A) The intro to book clearly says 1/2-acre lot 40 miles from Philadelphia. It was not 5 acres, 5 miles from Philadelphia.
B) Say what you want, but they really did have rabbits and chickens in the basement (more rabbits than chickens). Sorry, but you are wrong.
C) Since we already established that your geographic positioning was incorrect, we can also conclude that you assumption about the quality of the wildlife is also wrong. They lived right next to the water reservoir and many farms. The fish and game 40 miles away from Philadelphia are some of the best eating around!

To reviewer "Gregory": You bet! Dad was not to be taken lightly!

To all of the rest, Dolly is still one of the most quick witted and frugal people I know. She is also pleased and wryly amused that so many people still take an interest in her book.

The book is dated by today's standards and definitely contains some socially unacceptable elements, but most of the basic philosophies found in the text still hold true. You might also want to keep your children from reading the "Necessities of Life" chapter.

I was laid up sick many years ago listening to an interview of Dolly Freed on PBS. It was during the 70's recession and " live [inexpensively] " books were all the rage. Dolly was charming, and as a Euell Gibbons reader, her book was in my hobby but as I got well I couldn't find it but couldn't forget it. Twenty years later I found and bought it as my first ebay purchace. I wasn't sorry ! The book is a storehouse of [inexpensive] living information, with jewels of knowledge such as how to build a kitchen still and barrel stove. You'll fall in love with Dolly and her dad, the " old fool ".

I found this book in the "free" box outside a used bookstore and I have read it so many times it is falling apart. It is wise, inspirational, and very entertaining. Like her other fans, I would like to know what has become of the author in the 20+ years since the book was written.

I found this book at my dad's flea market some months ago. It is an amusing as well as informative book about how to live well on much less than most of us think we can. Some of the ideas proposed (raising rabbits in the basement for food) are a bit much for city folk, but overall it is a great addition to a frugal-living library.

Ms. Freed, if you are out there, how 'bout a 20-year revised edition? Let us know how things have gone for you and the Old Fool (her dad) over the past two decades. You publish it, I'll buy it...

I read Possum living when it was first published and continued reading has required gluing the pages back in the cover. I fell in love with Dolly Freed, and her independent spirit. She raises resourcefulness, to a level beyond anyone in my experience. She is honest, unique and original in her approach to living. She has decided to "live deliberately".

I recently read "Possum Living" on the web, in an electronic format, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I wish a more recent edition was available, as much of the information the 1978 edition was based on current conditions. Dolly's reference to making turtle soup, for instance, from a Leatherback found in Florida is, today, politically incorrect. Also, considering the growing popularity of vegetarianism, some may find her "homesteading recipes" slightly offensive (anything with four legs, fur, or feather's, is fair game in the name of survival). Overall it is a worthwhile read, and her sense of humor is refreshing. For those intent on pursuing a more self-sufficient lifestyle, and want more up-to-date information, I highly reccommend the book "Mortgage Free - Radical Stratagies for Home Ownership" by Rob Roy. ...

I enjoyed reading this book. The book was a fun read with very beneficial information. I want to know how to get in contact with Dolly Freed and or any other individuals that have such great information. If you want to become more self reliant than this is the book to read. It was published in 1978 and it would be great to find a similar or up dated book with current information with addresses and phone #s of suppliers for provisions and items mentioned in the book. If anyone has this information, please contact me.

I've read this book ... more than once, and I've enjoyed it every single time I've read it. I keep a copy handy and reread portions of it from time to time. Dolly is my inspiration. It was finding her book that made me realize how shallow my life of "stuff" was, and how I really just wanted to be free to pursue a simple life, devoid of "stuff" but full in so many other ways.

Since reading her book, we've acquired chickens, although we don't keep them in the basement. We keep them outside. We've also had rabbits. Contrary to what one reviewer has said, rabbits and chickens can be kept - together - in a very enclosed space with no odor. In his book, Omnivore's Dilemma, Michael Pollan visits Polyface Farm (owned by Salatin, whom I believe has also written a book of this ilk) where he walks into a shed containing rabbits and chickens. Woodchips are placed under the rabbit hutches and the chickens scratch in the woodchips. Anyway, the whole partnership results in no smell. As Salatin tells Pollan, animals aren't smelly or dirty - even chickens. It's the way people keep them that make them that way. Dolly probably figured that one out all by herself.

For anyone interested in the Simple Life, this is the book to read.

Possum Living is literally my most read book. I read and re-read it until the pages started coming apart. It took me years to find another copy. There is nothing in its pages that could not be done today. The most amazing thing about Possum Living is that it was written by a young lady less than 21 years old! How could someone so young be so experienced? Dolly would be in her mid-forties now. Come on, Dolly - we know you're out there! How about a sequel???

I was very interested in reading this book because I've been working on growing as much of my own food as possible, and who wouldn't like to live more independently of the economy? I saw it was highly praised here and elsewhere and was happy to find a copy of it. Ha. This book makes you realize that the reason why SOME folk want to live outside of the economy is because they are criminals. For instance, you're advised that to deal with sticky legal matters, you go to the house of the lawyer or opponent in question late at night and cut the phone lines or put a brick through the window or poison the dog. Make sure to walk there. And this is discussed like it is something adorable and just so good-old-fashioned self-reliant when in fact it is absolutely insane and a good way to end up either shot or in the penitentiary. But it makes total sense when you put it together with the fact that one of the highest priorities of this author and her father is to have plenty of high-proof liquor on hand which they produce themselves from a homemade still. I don't know--when you think of living independently of society, does a still come right to mind? Shoot. If you want a life like this, you can become a bum and go live in a tent in a hobo jungle for a lot less trouble, and you will find many like-minded people who consider drinking and violence and eating carp to be a good way to spend their lives. If you are instead interested in becoming independent of the economy, there are many other books that will help you do it. This ain't it. All this book does is make you glad you don't live next door to these folk.