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Encyclopedia 0f Country Living-Perfect for Homestead/school Rebecca Cunningham

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The Encyclopedia of Country Living, 50th Anniversary Edition: The Original Manual for Living Off the Land & Doing It Yourself (Homesteading & Off-Grid Survival) Paperback – Illustrated, December 3, 2019

by Carla Emery (Author)

4.8 4,668 ratings

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OVER 1 MILLION COPIES SOLD: The 50th anniversary edition of the classic manual for sustainable living—with 1,000+ pages covering basic country skills and wisdom for living off the land!

Whether you’re homesteading, prepping, or living off-grid, keep your family healthy, safe, and self-sufficient—no matter what’s going on in the world.

From homesteaders to urban farmers, and everyone in between, there is a desire for a simpler way of life: a healthier and self-sufficient natural lifestyle that allows you to survive and thrive—even in uncertain times. Carla Emery’s classic guide will teach you how to live off the grid, be prepared, and do it yourself.

• Can, dry, and preserve food
• Plan your garden with a beginner's guide to gardening
• Grow your own food
• Make 20-minute cheese
• Make your own natural skincare products
• Bake bread
• Cook on a wood stove
• Learn beekeeping
• Raise chickens, goats, and pigs
• Create natural skincare products
• Make organic bug spray
• Treat your family with homemade natural remedies
• Make fruit leather
• Forage for wild food
• Spin wool into yarn
• Mill your own flour
• Tap a maple tree
• And so much more!

The Encyclopedia of Country Living has been guiding readers for more than 50 years, teaching you all the skills necessary for living independently off the land. Whether you live in the city, the country, or anywhere in between, this is the essential guide to living well and living simply.

Print length

928 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Sasquatch Books
Publication date

December 3, 2019
Dimensions

8.4 x 2 x 10.8 inches
ISBN-10

1632172895
ISBN-13

978-1632172891
See all details

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Back to Basics: A Complete Guide to Traditional Skills (Back to Basics Guides)

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The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide for When Help is NOT on the Way

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From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

Review

#1 The Best Country and Rural Living Books list: "This comprehensive resource is the most authoritative guide available to a sustainable lifestyle and living off of the land."
—Bookscrolling.com

#1 15 Best Homesteading Books for Beginners in 2021: "This book is one of our favorites…many aspects of basic farm life fill the (tremendously) detailed 928 pages. You’ll find gardening tips, how to prepare food, and how to buy land. …If you want to know more about keeping bees, raising rabbits, and taking care of cows, then this is the book to get!
—Outdoor Happens

“For the suburbanite with just enough space for a little garden to the die-hard homesteaders and everyone in between, The Encyclopedia of Country Living makes for both fascinating reading and a truly essential reference source. You won’t find a more complete source of step-by-step information about growing, processing, cooking and preserving every kind of food—from the garden, the orchard, the field or the barnyard!”
Rodale Book Club

"If you're dreaming about moving "back to the land" someday, or if you're already there and want to live more self-sufficiently, you'll want a copy of ... The Encyclopedia of Country Living."
Organic Gardening

“This book is a monument to the coevolution of a person and an idea. . . this book should be shelved in your collection between the Foxfire books and Alicia Bay Laurel’s Living on Earth.”
Whole Earth catalog

"Packed with old wisdom as well as up-to-date websites and mail-order sources to make country living easier."
Country Almanac

“As one astonished browser acclaimed, ‘Is there anything this book doesn’t tell you how to do?’”
Library Journal

"If you’re thinking about ditching the city and reconnecting with a simpler, more direct way of life . . . The Encyclopedia covers a wealth of information to keep you on target."
Lehman's Country Living

"If I could only have one comprehensive how-to book on self-reliant living, this would be it."
Backwoods Home Magazine

"The Encyclopedia of Country Living by Carla Emery is one of my favorite finds. It is a guide to all things country..."
The Jefferson County Post

"While it is impossible for one book to have everything you need, 'The Encyclopedia of Country Living' does an exceptional job of giving you the most bang for your buck when it comes to needing a single resource where you are likely to find the answer to your country living questions."
Outdoor Self Reliance

"Practical advice, invaluable information, and collected wisdom for folks and farmers in the country, city, and anywhere in between."
Territorial Seed catalog

About the Author

Carla Emery lived on a farm in Idaho for more than thirty years as a wife, mother of seven, home-schooler, goat-keeper, garden-grower, writer, and country-living instructor. She wrote and self-published the first editions of The Encyclopedia of Country Living during the early 1970s and also ran her "School of Country Living." Carla sold nearly 90,000 copies of her self-published editions, traveling the country to promote it and appearing on such shows as The Mike Douglas Show, The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, The Phil Donahue Show, and Good Morning America, where she demonstrated country-living skills such as goat-milking, bread-making, and butter-churning.

When Sasquatch Books published the 9th Edition of Encyclopedia in 1994, Carla continued to travel the country promoting and selling the book, and teaching the timeless skills of country living. Carla cultivated a large and loyal following across the country. Carla passed away in 2005.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

What This Book Is

This book has been written—and rewritten—over a span of 32 years. Like a geological deposit, it has layers. The first layer was the ambitious 12-page table of contents I started compiling back in 1969. That’s when I first got to thinking about this book. I wanted to put into one work everything someone would want or need to know about family food production. I wanted it to be a complete reference, an encyclopedia of information and skills, a practical resource anyone could use.

The “back to the land” movement had started happening then—a tremendous out-migration from cities to country. I was living in a tiny town in northern Idaho, and the newcomers were everywhere, full of urgent questions about growing plants and raising animals. So the next layer of the book got written as I tried to answer their questions, encourage them in the hard moments, and help them adapt to the harsh realities of country living. I was struggling to create for them an affordable, single-volume reference work on raising and preparing food—every kind of food, every step of the way—from planting a seed in the garden or mating animals to preparing a meal.

I was also trying to preserve the precious knowledge of an older generation of homesteaders—knowledge that was rapidly disappearing as that generation passed on. It seemed that traditional, “old-time” technologies were being cast aside as people flocked to petroleum-based technologies and centralized supply systems. I wanted to help record and preserve the traditional methods. They offer a workable alternative to petroleum-dependent technologies, and as we continue to deplete the earth’s oil deposits, the old, self-sufficient methods will become more and more important to know

Mrs. Harless and Imogene Kepford were among the first old-timers I talked to. I visited their homes—where they always made me feel welcome—and listened to them, enjoying their blunt, charming, pioneer language. Their amazing knowledge about every aspect of home food production humbled me. I began trying out what they told me—and writing it down. Then I’d return to their homes to ask more questions, and I’d write those answers down too. When Mrs. Harless died unexpectedly about a year after I met her, I felt as though I’d lost a mother. And I realized how much harder and faster I needed to work on my project.

Today, a general ignorance about food production— as well as the lack of land on which to grow plants or raise animals—makes most people captive consumers. Unlike their great-grandparents, the urbanized members of today’s society are almost totally dependent on other people to produce their food, clothing, and shelter—and they’re subject to the market prices for those essential commodities. Many people spend their lives a paycheck away from hunger or homelessness—because they must pay other people to supply their most basic needs.

I love education and books because they empower people. That’s what this book is all about: providing you with the information you need to do things on your own, instead of paying someone else to do them for you.

Another layer of this book comes from the many people who have contributed to it. I’ve been helped by an army of persons who have shared recipes, advice, and information gained from years of experience. And every time I finished another edition of this book, people wrote to me with corrections, or with more information, or with important questions I hadn’t answered. The book grew and improved edition after edition, prodded by those interactions with readers. So this isn’t only “Carla’s Book.” Often I just had the humble task of stitching together information from other people, guided by the knowledge and experience I do have.

It took me four years to complete the first edition of this book. During that time, I was a lonely rural housewife, grateful for my pen pals from all over the country—wonderful people who read early parts of the book and shared with me recipes, advice, and encouragement. As I continued writing the book, I kept thinking about those faraway but precious friends, and I began including personal thoughts and memories in my book, sharing with my readers stories about myself, my past, my life. Thus, another layer emerged.

I added several more layers. I described mushroom cultivation and aquaculture, and updated the book to give advice on problems such as killer bees, global warming, and pesticide contamination in food. Because the international swapping of seeds has made a multitude of non-native, exotic plants available, I added extensive instructions for growing and cooking those plants. This information is useful to city folks as well, now that so many “new” fruits, vegetables, and herbs are appearing in supermarkets. I also added websites and e-mail addresses for over 1,500 mailorder sources. In fact, as this book has evolved, I’ve thought of more and more ways it could be useful to city- as well as country- dwelling people. I’ve begun to think of it as—and have strived to build it into—a basic kitchen reference work, so packed with reliable, practical information that any family, urban or rural, would want to own it. Is that the final layer? If the last 32 years are any indication, probably not!

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sasquatch Books; Anniversary edition (December 3, 2019)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 928 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1632172895
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1632172891
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.71 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.4 x 2 x 10.8 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,620 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2 in Gardening & Horticulture Reference (Books)
- #2 in Gardening Encyclopedias
- #3 in Sustainable Living

Customer Reviews:
4.8 4,668 ratings

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Carla Emery

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Carla Emery lived on a farm in Idaho for more than thirty years as a wife, mother of seven, home-schooler, goat-keeper, garden-grower, writer, and country-living instructor. She wrote and self-published the first editions of The Encyclopedia of Country Living during the early 1970s and also ran her "School of Country Living." Carla sold nearly 90,000 copies of her self-published editions, traveling the country to promote it and appearing on such shows as The Mike Douglas Show, The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, The Phil Donahue Show, and Good Morning America, where she demonstrated country-living skills such as goat-milking, bread-making, and butter-churning. When Sasquatch Books published the 9th Edition of Encyclopedia in 1994, Carla continued to travel the country promoting and selling the book, and teaching the timeless skills of country living. Carla cultivated a large and loyal following across the country. Carla passed away in 2005.

Customer reviews

4,668 global ratings

How customer reviews and ratings work

Customers say

Customers find the book has a tremendous amount of information for prepping and off-grid living. They also say it's more extensive than expected, and well worth the money. Readers mention the book covers many topics and is inclusive. They appreciate the wonderful wit and humor. Opinions are mixed on the picture quality, with some finding it well-organized and beautiful, while others say it doesn't have enough pictures to show how stuff is put together.

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Information content Print size Value for money Content variety Humor Picture quality

167 customers mention "Information content"160 positive7 negative

Customers find the book's information excellent and referenced. They say it has answers to questions they didn't even know they had. Readers also mention the book is very interesting, highly detailed, and provides perfect tips and tricks.

"Pros: Lots of details and links to more information. Gives you the basics on just about every homesteading topic...." Read more

"...So would say it is a pretty good resource. I have lots of books, and I am super pleased with this so far. I am not at all disappointed...." Read more

"...Pick a topic. It’s in there and in perfect detail. The price is amazing and the seller is on-point...." Read more

"Very useful and insightful book for anyone who wants to learn how to better utilize their land and work with nature rather than against it." Read more

29 customers mention "Print size"21 positive8 negative

Customers find the book to be bigger and more extensive than they expected. They also say it covers much more than they expected.

"...It's jam packed full of into. Small-ish print, so get out your glasses, a good light, and a notepad and sticky notes since you will want to jot down..." Read more

"This book is huge, I didn't realize it had so many pages with so much knowledge! I'm building a library of this type of stuff for the future...." Read more

"...However, the print is really small" Read more

"...The Book is Very Big.The Con to it the Print is Very Small and Very few photo's" Read more

18 customers mention "Value for money"18 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well worth the price, saying it has a no-waste approach and definitely emphasizes frugality. They also say it's a wonderful resource.

"...Pick a topic. It’s in there and in perfect detail. The price is amazing and the seller is on-point...." Read more

"One of the Best Books I have ever Bought and the Price is Really Great.The Book is Very Big...." Read more

"...I'll keep this book because it was inexpensive and file it away with the other books I've purchased on the subject...." Read more

"...This book seemingly has a no-waste approach and definitely emphasizes frugality...." Read more

8 customers mention "Content variety"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book very thorough and inclusive. They say it has many uses and is informative.

"...Outside of the Bible, it is the most exhaustive, inclusive book I’ve ever seen or read...." Read more

"A super interesting book and it has so many uses." Read more

"...It covers a wide variety of topics from canning, gardening, birthing livestock, recipes, history of many things, and has recommendations for other..." Read more

"This is very inclusive. All that you need to know from start to finish on what you need/want to know." Read more

8 customers mention "Humor"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well-written and witty. They also say the author is easy to read and has little funny quips throughout.

"...It is very well written with grace, completeness, and perfect direction for everyone from outdoor simpletons (me) to experts. Pick a topic...." Read more

"...I highly recommend. Witty, organized, highly detailed. This book is a must have for anyone who wants to know anything about country living." Read more

"...Carla Emery was thorough and thoughtful. The range of subject matter is extensive." Read more

"Covers all the bases, well written." Read more

8 customers mention "Picture quality"5 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the picture quality of the book. Some mention it's well-organized, beautiful, and has lots of pictures, while others say it doesn't have enough pictures to show how stuff is put together.

"...I think the lay out is good. You have no idea how many cruddy books I have because I bought them online and couldnt look at them first...." Read more

"...Cons: not enough pictures and diagrams (but with as much information as there is, you can't expect there to be. It's an encyclopedia, not a manual)." Read more

"...I highly recommend. Witty, organized, highly detailed. This book is a must have for anyone who wants to know anything about country living." Read more

"...] This book is huge and a ton of good, well laid out, information." Read more

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R.A.

GREAT book full of wonderful details. Well worth the money!

Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2024

Verified Purchase

Pros: Lots of details and links to more information. Gives you the basics on just about every homesteading topic.

Cons: not enough pictures and diagrams (but with as much information as there is, you can't expect there to be. It's an encyclopedia, not a manual).

Helpful

Precise Disarray

loaded with vital info, excellent starting point, do your homework now, learn skills NOW

Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2022

Verified Purchase

The 2020's have not been kind. If you aren't already trying to be more self sufficient, then you might want to get on it. Though I imagine you are, if you are sniffing through books like this. This is an encyclopedia, by design it isnt all inclusive but its an impressive start. Are you old enough to remember encyclopedias? Little bit about everything, right? You can expect that here, except for a little more detail PLUS relevant links and addition resources. So would say it is a pretty good resource. I have lots of books, and I am super pleased with this so far. I am not at all disappointed. Very glad to have added it to my "prepper library". Because you know what? If power goes out, all digital resources become unavailable. So have an assortment of books. Use this as a solid starting point, learn what you can, add mote books to your library, print some info out and stuff into a binder, take notes, etc. But, if you ONLY had this book? It is going to make you more confident in having a go-to resource for a whole slew of information across all the things you may need to do in a self sufficient lifestyle.

Neat little add on: there is a short "achievement checklists". 25 or so tasks that you may come across, and you can check if you have done them. Not all relevant to your situation, but it could be a starting point to see where your abilities and comforts are, and what you need to work on. If you havent done them, but want to.. maybe scout out your community and see if anyone is willing to show you. Volunteer to learn these skills!

Then, " a final exam for you", which asks about what you learned. ie, What is basic bread recipe? How do you make cottage cheese? How do you plant potatoes?

It's jam packed full of into. Small-ish print, so get out your glasses, a good light, and a notepad and sticky notes since you will want to jot down info or make bookmarks to special info. That being said, the info jumps out easily. It is well organized looking, and I can take it a paragraph, or section at a time. I think the lay out is good. You have no idea how many cruddy books I have because I bought them online and couldnt look at them first. I am really drawn to this books. All pages appear to be there.

Each section has a quick list of what it covers, then its own specific table of contents. The beginning of the book has a general table of contents. Each section can be easily found because there is a darkened color to the page, like a tab. Then at end of book is the usual appendix, and some other bits of info.

Learn now, research now, take down notes now, ask questions now, watch videos now, buy supplies now, stock your pantry now. Best $22 I have spent. My book came in excellent condition, no problems.

161 people found this helpful

Helpful

Amazon Customer

Where to begin??? WOW!!! Something for everyone. Arrived on time in great condition.

Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2024

Verified Purchase

This is a BIG BOOK, I mean VERY BIG! Outside of the Bible, it is the most exhaustive, inclusive book I’ve ever seen or read. Every single person I’ve shown this book to has ordered it on the spot. It is very well written with grace, completeness, and perfect direction for everyone from outdoor simpletons (me) to experts. Pick a topic. It’s in there and in perfect detail. The price is amazing and the seller is on-point. You will not be disappointed, a must see and read. Grateful it arrived on time and in perfect condition.

10 people found this helpful

Helpful

kyle

Have recommended to multiple friends.

Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2024

Verified Purchase

Very useful and insightful book for anyone who wants to learn how to better utilize their land and work with nature rather than against it.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

A-Line Powersports

Excellent info

Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2024

Verified Purchase

This book is huge, I didn't realize it had so many pages with so much knowledge! I'm building a library of this type of stuff for the future. My only complaint is that it's only black and white. I would be happy to pay extra for a color version.

8 people found this helpful

Helpful

defave

A great resource.

Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2024

Verified Purchase

A great resource. You will enjoy it too.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Jo Roark

great book!

Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2024

Verified Purchase

Lots of information on farm life, canning, recipes, cheese making etc…

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Meg

Unhelpful ancestors

Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2024

Verified Purchase

I have no family that have useful information besides the phone number to dominos.
This book replaces decades and decades of passed down information that I missed out on.
Googling information is such a pain these days, who do you even trust? Why are there so many ads?
This book eliminates all the hubbub and brings me peace of mind for years to come. I highly recommend. Witty, organized, highly detailed. This book is a must have for anyone who wants to know anything about country living.

13 people found this helpful

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