Back to Basics: How to Learn and Enjoy Traditional American Skills

This is one of the most-used books in our house. This is the go-to source for all things self-sufficiency. It's not comprehensive, but it gives enough information to get a good start in whatever it is you're interested in.

There is little in the way of self-sufficient skills that this valuable volume does not touch on: finding, buying, and building on land; energy sources; raising fruits, vegetables, and livestock; skills and crafts (the handy kind like weaving, woodworking, and soapmaking); and outdoor pursuits like fishing and hiking. Need a recipe for wallpaper paste? Can't decide which kind of waterwheel or turbine would be best for your stream? Want to know how to grow peanuts? Interested in building a food smoker? Curious how one show more milks a goat? I've got your book right here. show less

This book contains excellent descriptions of how various trades and crafts were performed in Colonial and frontier America. Chapters cover, buying land and building on it, getting energy from wood and other sources, growing crops and livestock and harvesting, homestead skills and trades, and finishes with a chapter on recreation. Being a spinster and a weaver, I looked at the sections on spinning, warping, and weaving and found the descriptions and accompanying drawings and photos of spinning wheels, warping boards, and looms was very thorough and accurate. An excellent reference for anyone wanting to learn about the past or take part in a historic recreation for a museum or club.

With so many urban and suburban dwellers moving toward simplifying their lives, Reader's Digest has updated its popular Back to Basics series to provide the ultimate how-to book. It's packed with hundreds of projects and illustrated step-by-step sequences to help you learn to live more self-sufficiently, with sections on shelter, alternative energy sources, growing and preserving food, home crafts, and even recreation. Includes over 2,000 photos, diagrams and drawings.

I loved this book when it first came out. (early 80's), &
I still love this book now.
This book doesn't give you a paragraph on a
subject & move on. It's so much more than that.
It's the kind of book you want to read & make your
dreams of living in the country.....a little more detailed.

This book is amazing, and it's amazing to see how many everyday skills have been lost to the majority of Americans--- our ancestors would be probably horrified not at our laziness but at our ignorance. And me, they'd be horrified at me at my complete lack of ability, even with directions in front of me, I fear.

There is a broad spectrum of information in this publication and while much of the information is basic, it is still a must have book especially for beginners to self sufficiency.

This is a great reference book, last I heard it was out of print. Worth buying used.