The Humanure Handbook: A Guide to Composting Human Manure, Third Edition 3rd Edition

by Joseph C. Jenkins (Author)

224 customer reviews

ISBN-13: 978-0964425835

ISBN-10: 0964425831

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The 10th Anniversary Edition of the most comprehensive, up-to-date and thoroughly researched book on the topic of composting human manure available anywhere. It includes a review of the historical, cultural and environmental issues pertaining to "human waste," as well as an in depth look at the potential health risks related to humanure recycling, with clear instructions on how to eliminate those dangers in order to safely convert humanure into garden soil. Written by a humanure composter with over thirty years experience, this classic work now includes illustrated, step-by-step instructions on how to build a "$25 humanure toilet," a chapter on alternative graywater systems, photos of owner-built humanure toilets from around the world, and an overview of commercial composting toilets and systems.

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Editorial Reviews

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"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

From the Publisher

This is the 3rd edition of a self-published book. No respectable publisher would touch it with a ten foot shovel. The 1st edition of Humanure was published in 1994 with a print run of 660 copies, which the author fully expected would last the rest of his life.
Now, 22 years later, the book has sold over 60,000 copies in at least 59 countries worldwide and has been published in numerous foreign editions on four continents. The 2nd Edition was a 2000 Independent Publisher Outstanding Book of the Year, deemed the book "Most Likely to Save the Planet," a 2000 Finalist in ForeWord Magazine’s Book of the Year Awards, and a Finalist in the 2000 Benjamin Franklin Awards for Excellence in Publishing. It was an Amazon.com #1 bestseller in its category for several years, and has been reviewed by Mother Earth News, Whole Earth Review, Countryside Journal, The Journal of Environmental Quality, Natural Health, and many other popular print media. It has been talked about on NPR, BBC, CBC, Howard Stern, The Wall Street Journal, Playboy Magazine, Organic Gardening Magazine and many other national and international venues.

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Product details

Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Joseph Jenkins, Inc.; 3 edition (September 1, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0964425831
ISBN-13: 978-0964425835
Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.8 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 14.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 224 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,640 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #4 in Books > Engineering & Transportation > Engineering > Civil & Environmental > Environmental > Waste Management
- #12 in Books > Textbooks > Science & Mathematics > Biology & Life Sciences > Ecology
- #25 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Gardening & Landscape Design > By Technique > Organic

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S.K. in O.R.

READ THIS BOOK. Amazing, educational, inspiring.

June 21, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Wow. MIND BLOWING information. Goes way beyond 'humanure' and truly is an education in ecology, microorganisms, composting, the current systems, easy solutions and more. Extremely informative, inspiring and easy to read. Everyone should read this who cares about our environment and wonders what more they can do to ease their footprint on this planet...or better yet to HELP the planet with our biproducts ( It's NOT WASTE if it's used properly!) I'm So thrilled to own an copy. Wish I had a million dollers to buy one for everyone I know.

12 people found this helpful

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Grandpa John

Practical Methods for Composting Poop!

February 12, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

If you were worried about how to manage toilet needs in a SHTF situation where the normal facilities were not functioning, worry no more! This book tells you exactly what you need to know about how to deal with feces and urine when the toilet doesn't work. The author goes into great detail about the specifics of composting human excretions. If you have just a little know-how and a little space to set up a composting bin arrangement, you will be able to dispose of the necessary products in a way that is not too physically difficult and that will not result in odors which might annoy your neighbors. It's important, because when the toilets quit working, everyone is going to be faced with the same problem. It's comforting to know that there are sensible solutions that actually work. Preppers will be interested, and really everyone should be, unless they have their heads buried in the sand. Buy this book! You won't be sorry!

11 people found this helpful

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July 15, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

After getting a bunch of free advice from the book's website, I decided to stop being a cheapskate and buy it to support the author.

I've just started the great humanure experiment with my newly made compost bin, so I'll have to wait a couple of years to see how it all shakes out. I've already been composting #1 for a few months and I'm working up the nerve to progress to #2! I can say that #1 is no problem; I've been doing it inside the house with no odor problems at all, and taking it outside is not the disgusting chore I feared it might be.

I do find it hilarious that there's a little star on the cover saying "Amazon.com Category Bestseller". What category is that?

9 people found this helpful

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October 31, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

We've been living off the grid and pooping into sawdust buckets for nearly 2 years now and do not miss having a flush toilet. We got a Reliance Products Luggable Loo Seat Cover and that works just fine as a seat on the buckets. Next purchase will be one of these to monitor the pile: REOTEMP A36PF-D43 Heavy Duty Compost Thermometer - 36" Stem, Dual Scale C & F

We get the sawdust for free from a local sawmill. We get most of our cover material in the form of spent grains from a local craft brewery. All free.

After the first week it already started feeling barbaric to use perfectly good fresh water in toilets. Our state-mandated septic system (required for greywater treatment) will never need pumping because no solids will ever go into it. Plus in a couple of years we'll have nice compost to add to the sandy soil here...

Win-win-win.

A friend was visiting recently and remarked that our house didn't smell like cats, although we have three of them - he asked where the litter box was. "Just behind that curtain, 6 feet from us," we answered. "Right next to our OWN litter box - our sawdust buckets." He was stunned and couldn't believe he couldn't smell either of them. Another friend suggested that it helps that our sawdust is from fresh pine logs, and I suspect he may be right. The cat litter, by the way, is Tractor Supply horse bedding pellets, which we just toss into the same compost pile as our own sawdust.

I also have found compostable tampons Veeda Applicator Free Super Plus Tampons 100% Natural Cotton, which is one more thing I can remove from the waste stream that feeds the landfill.

9 people found this helpful

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gillian fry

This book changed our lives :-)

January 17, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This book actually changed our lives. Whoever thought a book about sh*t would not only be very informative and interesting, but funny too. For a long time both my husband and myself have been feeling guilty about all the water wasted every time we flush a toilet. Deep inside we knew it was wrong, and Joseph Jenkins, with this book, showed us another way. We are 5 years into this now, and our garden is blooming and we are feeling more connected with Mother Earth. The nutrients that sustain us that came from the Earth, go back to the Earth, as it should be.

9 people found this helpful

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Julie

Great book. Well written

May 19, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Great book. Well written. Starts off very slow, somewhat too many facts to follow since I tend to be a slower reader, but once Jenkins gets into the discussion of composting I couldn't put it down. I was a little nervous, based on reviews I'd read about the mention of Christianity in regards to the progression of sanitation, but I actually found that portion of the book very interesting. Straight forward information on how to begin composting your humanure. While I haven't gone that far yet, I've started a compost pile of organic refuse from my kitchen and lawn based on his recommendations. Must read if you're interested in compost, water waste, and helping the environment.

6 people found this helpful

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Sam

The Humanure Handbook

June 4, 2014

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

EXCELLENT read! This book has saved me from an expensive mistake: buying a composting toilet system from Home Depot (for around $2000), when I can build my own for a tiny fraction of the cost. Thank you Joseph C. Jenkins! And thank you for such an entertaining read, too. I don't understand why anyone would find anything about this book offensive (like some of the negative reviewers), it's a wonderfully written source of great information.

13 people found this helpful

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Most recent customer reviews

Lee

The Humanure Composting Bible! Superb!

Simply put, this book is superb! Complete and thorough. If you want to know everything about composting humanure, this is it.Read more

Published 6 days ago

Josh

Not skimmable

I was really hoping to get the gist of it by reading section titles and looking at graphs, but it looks like I'll have to read it front to back before I can begin.

Published 1 month ago

Terry2Fish

Naturally Returning to Nature

Great book. I had the first edition years ago and gave it away a couple years ago to someone who was just learning about composting. So happy to have the newest edition.

Published 1 month ago

Carmen R Merrill

I am very impressed with all the information. Very ...

I am very impressed with all the information. Very practical and gives me confidence as I start to tackle this new form of composting. Thank you!

Published 1 month ago

rwells

Four Stars

good

Published 2 months ago

Timmy K

Good book lots of eye opening information and well worth ...

Good book lots of eye opening information and well worth the read if your into or getting into composting poop.

Published 2 months ago

Brock Goodner

Five Stars

Great book

Published 2 months ago

Rebecca Riley

This Method Works!

My husband lost his job. Power off, water off. We had to camp in our house without utilities. What to do about our biowaste?Read more

Published 3 months ago

Amazon Customer

This book is a pile of SH....

Great book on how to convert human waste into a usable resource instead of toxic waste. A little long winded in the first half of the book talking about why water toilets are not...Read more

Published 3 months ago

Jessica B.

It is sort of Preachy

I'm new to this sort of thing but I felt that this book was a really great read. I really feel confident about going this path and creating my own compost

Published 3 months ago

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