5 comments about Clear Your Clutter With Feng Shui.

1. Gets at the heart of what's causing clutteritis, and then eases one into the traumatic process of parting with classic junque-stuff. The title is a fair precis of what the book is about.



2. I bought this book a year or so ago. It is really helpful and it is small and easy to read. Nice to have all the used copies now for many people. I bought it new. I like the way things are explained in the book. I did not realize how clutter can actually paralyze people. Now I do my best to keep the clutter under control. It gives you so much more energy to have the things you need, some items you enjoy and call it good.
   
   [...]



3. I am a professional interior designer and the clutter I've seen in my client's homes...! Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui taught me a lot about the psychology of why people surround themselves with too much stuff. the book has been very helpful in enabling me to get my clients to get rid of their junk. Those that are in really bad shape I give a copy to. It really helps.
   
   However, other than the discussion on energy (which is very important,) this book lacks information on Feng Shui. I recommend Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify and Energize Your Life, Your Home and Your Planet, to fill that gap AND give you great information on greening your home.
   
   If clutter is your problem, buy this book!



4. I find the author to be an excellent motivator. After reading a few chapters, I easily embarked upon a long-considered but ever-postponed clearing of numerous, dense pockets of accumulated items throughout my house. I've gleefully filled so many boxes and bags in the last 3 days that my yellow Lab is showing signs of anxiety usually reserved for moving. So my husband and I have been doing our best to reassure her that the pack is staying put. And there's more house purging to come.
   
   What I found especially liberating was the section on dismantling the "keep it just in case" myth. I realized that I was holding incompatible belief systems in my mind: knowing deep down that the universe always provides for me and having constant evidence to prove it; yet offering up doubt in the form of holding on to items that were certainly useful in theory, but not in use in my home. When the "Maybe I should keep this" line reared its ugly head several times during the clear-out, I was able to challenge it successfully and allow the items to enter the "donate" box without stress or thoughts of future need of it. The mental clutter-clearing is a great benefit of the whole process, and it's been such a valuable opportunity to get in touch with the myths I've been carrying around regarding these objects. None of my previous justifications for keeping these items can hold up in my mind anymore. The sense of freedom in this is immense.
   
   Of course, with a stirring up of long-dormant objects comes a release of stuck energy. While I was expecting and looking forward to the increase in money flow, physical energy, business and creativity; there were some postponed decisions that suddenly required action NOW. Things came to a head, so to speak. All within a matter of hours of tossing and sorting. Be prepared for what I can best describe as a healing crisis of your whole life. Whatever has been on hold will surface and require attention; whether it's speaking your mind concerning something you've long been shy or silent about, dealing directly with a difficult friend or even culling superfluous animals from your farm.
   
   The interesting and amazing thing about all this, is that with the sudden surfacing of these issues is a fresh and clear viewpoint on the subject, as well as exactly the right words with which to articulate difficult feelings. At least that's been my experience. Whatever it is that requires addressing will present itself with clarity and urgency, if you really dig deeply and allow yourself to release the objects that have gripped you emotionally. Just tossing a pile of last week's newspapers will not yield this effect, but get them in the recycling pile anyway.
   
   While I've used feng shui for years with great results, this is not a book for someone hoping to learn the basics on the subject. Feng shui is mentioned throughout the book as far as how clutter affects the various areas of the bagua. That said, any attempt to "feng shui" a living space must be accompanied by clutter clearing to be truly successful. So it is an excellent companion volume to a primer on the basics. I haven't yet read her other book, but will put it in my cart today.
   
   If you're ready to take an honest look at what you've accumulated and why, and are willing to encounter whatever temporary fallout may ensue as a result; you'll find this little book invaluable.



5. I found this little book to be inspirational, useful and fun to read. It did get me started on the decluttering of 15+ years of accumulation. I now have more questions on Feng Shui and will be reading more on that subject however, this little book at least has sent me off into a flurry of much needed activity. It will be interesting to note what changes may come about in my life once the "clutter clearing" is done.

5 comments about All the Way Home: Building a Family in a Falling-Down House.

1. I initially picked up this book because I know David and think he's a great writer and figured it would be interesting to learn more about that house he's been working on for so long. But I found so much more than that. It's funny, heartwarming, compelling, brutally honest at times and just wonderfully written. I highly recommend it for an engrossing read.



2. This wonderful book isn't just the fascinating account of a man's obsessive, hands-on restoration of his dream home. It's also a story about growing up, about finding one's place in the world, and about love. All the Way Home is often laugh-out-loud hilarious, such as when Giffels describes his many attempts to rid his house of varmints. In other places the book is deeply moving--I came close to tears several times. This is the only non-fiction book I've ever read in one shot, staying up past midnight two nights in a row because I couldn't put it down.



3. It is not often these days that I can find time to read a book, and yet I finished "All The Way Home" in just 2 days! I, too, live in Akron and know David a little bit, and my husband and I have worked on a couple of houses ourselves over the years. Yes, I expected to like this book, but I LOVED it! It's romantic yet unsentimental, genuine and genuinely funny, deeply moving and triumphant. I want to meet his family and friends and all the contractors (especially the tall wild-headed drywaller). I now have a new-favorite word and have been reminded of an old-favorite joke.
   
   By the way, David's wife Gina wrote three chapters, and it was good to hear her voice as we learned about some of her most intimate and deeply personal experiences. I applaud them both for opening up and sharing this story. And I envy them for that hand-holding ride on the Goodyear blimp! Golden ticket indeed!



4. I live in Akron as well,and have enjoyed reading David in the Akron Beacon Journal over the years,so I was prepared to enjoy this book too, however, I was completely blown away. I finished this great read in a couple of days, stealing every minute to get in another page. This is one that is very difficult to put down. This story has found it's way into most of my conversations since I began reading it. I truly loved the feeling of pride in our city, and really like his take on the blimp. As anyone who has grown up hearing the blimp, there is no other sound like it, and it was fun to read someone who understands that joy. This wonderfully funny, sincere, honest book is one I will recommend for years to come.



5. I picked up a copy of this book to read later this summer "when I have more time". I glanced at the first chapter and was intrigued.
   
   I read the second chapter and was interested.
   
   Buy the third chapter, I was hooked.
   
   I read this in three days. Not because it is a thin book (it isn't), but because it was so interesting I couldn't put it down. I usually share or give away books after I've read them, but this one is going in my permanent collection--it's that good.

5 comments about Canning & Preserving for Dummies.

1. The book was well written. My wife loves canning and this book had information that she did not know how to do. Best thing I ever got for her.



2. I have always fantasized about canning and preserving my own locally grown garden vegetables and fruits. One day on a lark of what my partner called "Pure Insanity" I bought a Water based canner and equipment to put my dreams into reality. I would have panicked had I not reviewed and purchased this book the day before.
   
   In only a matter of a few hours I read the book from cover to cover and felt like an expert. Soon thereafter when I found a wonderful source of locally grown cucumbers I "canned" 8 pints of 'Bread and Butter pickles' from a recipe provided in this book. Three weeks later I was the recipient of a Blue Ribbon at a local fair for my "Prize Winning Recipe". I was astonished! They will never know the secret of my success was "The Dummies Guide" but I will never forget. I've since gone on to do Corn Relish, Apple Butter, Lime Pickles, and tonight I shall can Green Beans and Carrots.
   
   This is the book that will bring success to the otherwise accident and disaster prone "cook". Don't start this hobby without it!



3. This product is great it will help you if you don't know a thing about this or if you just need a little help. I had to buy this when my granny died and my mom was being selfish and wouldn't copy my grannys' how to's so I could learn how to do a few new things that I didn't get a chance to ask my granny before she passed. I think you should buy this. It thought me so much that I needed to know. My granny would be proud.



4. I give this book a "U" for unsatisfactory. It has NO information
   on canning meat, poultry or fish !!! It recommends another book
   - apparently the author thinks it's way too hard and scary to can
   meat. It isn't - buy another book with more practical information
   in it.



5. If you are thinking of canning summer's bounty, this is a great place to start. Step by step basic instructions on how to thrill and not kill your friends and family with home canned goods.

5 comments about The Pocket Parent.

1. A good book with some practical advice, however, more topics could have been covered. Example: How to break your preschooler from picking his/her nose!



2. I love this book so much, I got rid of most of my other parenting books and just use this one. The cool thing about it is it's indexed so that the main things you need to get advice on are easy to find as problems/challenges happen. Potty training? Flip through the book and find the header and there you are. Hitting. Sleep. Easy and fast.



3. I love this book:) I wish I have it when I had my first born although he is 5 now but I am encouraged to buy this book after noticing that my second child is strong will and stubborn than her brother, all my strategies with my eldest won't work on her so I desperately need help. Thank goodness with this book it saves my sanity! I like that you don't need to read it from the beginning to end instead you can just look at the topic you need, most likely work like a dictionary but with really useful advise and example. I highly recommend this book, a must for every mother or parents.



4. This is a book of parenting advice, not problem solving advice. I was looking for creative ideas for how to keep my toddler from screaming when I wash his hair, or, as another reviewer noted, how to get him to quit picking his nose. I think most people who would be interested in this book are beyond the diaper bag stage, and I don't know in whose pocket it would fit. The book does contain good advice about setting limits, respecting the child, and modeling appropriate behavior - pretty standard stuff for 21st century parents. I will use it as a reference book, but you won't see me whipping it out in the middle of Wal-Mart.



5. This book was very simple. I got it for that very reason, I have a 2 year old who is running the show and a new baby -- I needed help quick! After reading it by skipping around to various needed chapters, I learned that it had a quick underlying theme that is consistent throughout the book. Once you get that, it becomes less helpful. It was a good message and has been helpful in teaching me to avoid arguments with my 2-yr old, but I found that I am left wanting more information about all these issues. I like the book recommendations in the back, though, they recommended age-appropriate children's books that help kids through difficult situations, like potty training, family deaths, new baby, etc. I will open this book again, if we are faced with difficult situations and want to find some helpful books that will help our kids through the crisis.

5 comments about Apartment Therapy Presents: Real Homes, Real People, Hundreds of Design Solutions.

1. Apartment Therapy Presents: Real Homes, Real People, Hundreds of Design Solutions by Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan is eye candy for those of us interested in home decorating.
   
   In the introduction, Gillingham-Ryan writes: "More than just a physical shelter, the home is both a second skin that protects us from the world outside and an emotional center that nourishes us and supports our innermost dreams. He also writes: "A healthy home will nurture and support you."
   
   I absolutely agree with both statements.
   
   The author believes that: "It's your home--design it for you!"
   
   With that in mind, each apartment has it's own distinct personality and we get to read about the occupants of each apartment.
   
   While I really enjoyed the book, it does lack one thing, which is why I gave the book 4, not 5, stars. It lacks general tips on how to decorate. I recommend Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify and Energize Your Life, Your Home and Your Planet as a companion to this book, because it provides hundreds of tips on how to decorate, clear clutter, make your home green, and more.
   
   That said, Apartment Therapy is very inspirational and real. The apartments feel doable and lived in--not like unattainable glossies in the home decorating magazines.
   
   A floor plan and basic information, like square footage, is provided for each apartment which is smart, as photos alone can't convey the layout of a home.
   
   Next, there is a description which includes information on the occupants, their style and more. I enjoyed reading about the people and it made the decorating choices make sense.
   
   Great photographs.
   
   A survey was included for each section and included the following: style, inspiration, favorite element, biggest challenge, biggest embarrassment, biggest challenge, proudest DIY, biggest indulgence, best advice, fream sources. FUN to read.
   
   Each apartment also included resources which is always great if you see something you want.
   
   Real people real stuff.
   
   Next,



2. This book gives a lot of inspiration to people whose tastes run from modern to eclectic, who don't live in huge homes or have unlimitied financial resources. Shows what you can do with resale shops, eBay, and using what you have to make your home reflect your style and be a really comfortable place to live.



3. A couple of weeks ago, I ordered a box full of decorating books. And out of that box, this was by far my favorite! Besides the variety of styles, it was SO NICE to see REAL HOMES for a change. I am SO TIRED of seeing overly dressed homes that I personally would be afraid to sit down in, or that would take an army of hired help to keep clean. I read this book first, skimmed through the other five (Almost all written by well-known TV personality-type decorators)and went right back to this one. The others...are still sitting in the box.
   
   That said, if you are looking for a step-by-step "how-to" guide, this is likely not your book. But I found the pictures and the survey answers by the actual owners very inspiring. It gives you a lot of insight to the thought process behind the design. And the photos are FRESH...not rehashed, like a lot of the books that come out. (Yawn!) So from that perspective alone, it's worth the money.
   
   My favorites-
   
   "turquoise's directional shift" (Turquoise is her name, btw.) I LOVED her design, and her inspiration..."boutique hotels." They inspire me, too!! :) And she 'customized' an Ikea piece...something I have done as well! ;) Her apartment...is absolutely beautiful. Perhaps a few boutique hotels could actually get a little more inspired by Turquoise!
   
   "curtis's paint by numbers" Talk about a great idea!! This guy did a life-sized Paris street scene using a paint-by-numbers kit!! (Directions as to how he did it, included.) I have a huge upstairs landing that has been sitting in limbo, as I had contemplated some type of wall-art...and THIS IS EXACTLY what I am going to do!! Thanks, Curtis, for the SMASHING idea!! How cool of you to think of it!!
   
   "jane and darko's cozy thicket' I loved this, because it reminded me of a very modern cabin. (Hey, I'm from Minnesota!) After looking at the pictures, I was sure this apartment was somewhere in the Midwest...only to find out, it's right in Manhattan. Now that's what I call marching to your own drummer!!
   
   ALL of the apartments were fun to look at, fun to read about, and very, very personal. Something you don't see in most decorating books out there. Not sure how those TV people can keep hawking the same darned rooms over and over, again. IMHO - This book certainly puts them to shame.
   
   Great job, Maxwell!!



4. This book is as good as I expected it would be; tons of ideas and ingenious solutions to space problems. Very talented people who achieve an individual look usually without mounds of money.



5. Seriously. One of the most inspiring books I own. And yes, I really do ration a chapter a night so (hopefully) it never ends! One thing you'll learn - all creativity is apparently born in IKEA. Who knew?!

5 comments about Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook: The Essential Guide to Caring for Everything in Your Home.

1. This book has everything and every home should have one. Its a great reference guide and also teaching tool for young brides. Would make an excellent shower gift.



2. Being that I now own my own home, after apartment living for so long, when it comes to home care I'm a little clueless in many areas. I've got the basics down like doing laundry, washing dishes etc. but there's always this nagging feeling that there are tricks I'm missing that would make taking care of my home so much easier. This book answered many questions, especially in the laundry chapter, and brought forward many things I never thought of like how to better organize my crazy sock drawer. Some of the ideas in this book bother me a bit in that I can't believe I'm really reading sections titled "How to clean a sink" or "How to fold a sweater". BUT after I read those sections I find that I've found some new ways to do things and I think "Why didn't I think of that?". Great book for anyone who wants to care for their home in a more organized and simpler way. Also this is, in my opinion, a great book for new home owners and young newlyweds.



3. Martha's simplistic and realistic approach to caring for your home, shines through in this wonderful book. It is stuffed with useful and informative solutions to homekeeping. This book would make the perfect house warming or newly wed gift or tell-all reference guide for the bachelor too!
   
   I purchased this book for recently married friends who are renovating a historic home in upstate New York. Along with this book, I also purchased Your Home A Living Canvas: Create Stunning Faux Finishes & Murals with Paint, by Curtis Heuser, which follows the author/artist's historic home creative re-birth. Where Martha's book guides the reader to keeping up the household, Heuser's shares the how-to secrets to reinventing the interior of your home with unique faux finishes and mural detailing. My friends loved the combination of these books, as they offer simple solutions, that can be easily introduced to any household. If you are looking for a gift to be remembered and referred back to again and again as Martha's HOMEKEEPING...is the only home reference volume you will probably ever need and Heuser's YOUR HOME...will offer you continual creative inspiration- then I highly reccommended these titles! In my opinion, the diverse domestic combination and value here, can't be beat!



4. I would rate description, value and customer service as excellent. I wish this book had been available to me many years ago. I bought two, one for a bride and groom who were registered with Amazon for it and one for myself. The transaction went as I hoped it would and as a wedding gift it was a success. I've purchased from Amazon in the past and will again.



5. A very helpful book to have for the house. I use the cleaning mixtures in my home. They work great. The book has taught me organization. Everyone should have this book.

5 comments about Urawaza: Secret Everyday Tips and Tricks from Japan.

1. These tips allowed me to carry heavier things, improve my karaoke skills, eliminate excess beer foam, overclock my car battery and cure my hiccups. The tips and the instructions on how they work are so fascinating that they lodge in the mind easily--I may not need to know how to remove gum from someone's hair for five or ten years...but if I ever need to do it, I'll remember the Urawaza method.



2. Love learning the super creative ways to be more efficient in every day living. I think this would also would make a cool & unique gift too.



3. "Urawaza" is a word with a long history in Japan. In martial arts, it means "from the back", an unexpected or tricky move that only experts might know. In the computer gaming world it means programmers' back-doors that let players gain points, levels and advantage by doing something unexpected.
   
   In society in general it represents frugal and clever household techniques. There's been a show on Japanese television for nine years where ordinary people share their tricks with other people. UTube is a great source of videos often taken from this show. The sound is often in Japanese, but the tricks work without sound. I've learned to perfectly fold a tee shirt in a few seconds, for example. An even more amazing video shows how to make babies stop crying by breathing on them after drinking a bit of red or white wine.
   
   This book is an excellent introduction to the genre. The ideas work -- I tried the shallot trick for a stuffy nose and I was cleared up in a few seconds -- and the illustrations are excellent and amusing. Each of these Urawazas comes with a technical explanation of why they may work. The philosophical approach is a commentary on the loss of ingenuity in an era of specialized products, many of which don't work very well.
   
   If you enjoy reading the cooking shortcuts in cooking magazines or the shop hints in "Popular Mechanics", you'll find this a real adventure in human ingenuity.
   
   
   Robert C. Ross 2008



4. This book is like a fun version of Hints from Heloise...little tricks that you're surprised work, that make your every day life a little smoother. I like skimming the book, and I've gotten some good ideas from it already. Another nice thing is the explanation of why each tip works...I picked up some lite science while reading. That said, the book is a little layout heavy, with only one tip per page. If it was more packed, I think I would've given it 5 stars. Even so, it's a fun book to have around when you just wanna thumb through.



5. Everyone knows how to cure the hic-ups, or to get wine stains out of white clothing right? There are all sorts of little household tricks and tips handed down via word of mouth, or from a helpful friend or parent in a time of need. The Japanese term for these is "urawaza", a word with a sly feel to it meaning a little secret that only you know about, something you discovered about a product that the producers didn't intend for you to know. Its main use is with videogames, referring to cheat codes left in by programmers who never intended them to become public knowledge.
   
   This book is full of urawaza's, little "cheat codes" for common household objects like potatoes and old sales receipts, things that would normally never be used for more than their intended purposes. For example, magically clearing up a stuffy nose by shoving the white root section of a scallion in your nostrils, or rubbing a little egg white on your glasses to prevent them from fogging. Each tip is accompanied by a short explanation of why the process works, showing the molecules and process involved that accompany the magic.
   
   The strange thing is, the tips actually work. I haven't tried all of them, but the ones I have given a shot work just as advertised. You might feel a bit strange at first rubbing a cut potato across your bathroom mirrors to make them fog-free, but you can't argue with the results. Want to know how to keep your bathwater from going cold using only orange peels, or how to make your dull hair glossy? "Urawaza" has what you need.
   
   The only disappointment with this book is the lack of any real Japanese connection, aside from the title. There are a few little asides at the start of each chapter talking about the author's personal history or a few cultural notes, but that is about it. There was a good opportunity to include some Japanese vocabulary for each entry, just a few words here and there relating to the subject, and make this a language-learner along with its helpful and fun tips. Unfortunately they didn't go that route, but if you aren't studying Japanese and just want a cool and useful little book, then that isn't really an issue.

5 comments about Home Buying For Dummies, 3rd edition.

1. This book goes without saying that it covers all the basics and provides additional information through web links. This is my 4th Dummy book and will continue to use it as a reference for many years to come! Easy read, funny at times without being to cheesy. Kudos to the authors again for another quality book!
   
   Read this book in any fashion you like and mark points down to inquire with Realtors, loan officer, appraisers and inspectors... You'll make some mad for being informed and catch others trying to lie or sugar coat it to you!



2. it is a must read if you are a first time home buyer. I knew what to ask, what to expect. I am not money savvy, but the morgage section is simple enough that I feel that helped me getting the best deal possible.



3. If you've never bought a home before, buy this book. It gives you a good overview of many areas of the homebuying process. If the thought of purchasing your first home is a bit daunting, educate yourself. This doesn't give you every single detail that you need to know, but it will help you ask informed questions and lead you on your way.



4. I recently ordered several mortgage books as learning and reference tools as I embark on my new career as a loan officer. I have not read any of the books from cover to cover, but they are serving me well for the purpose intended. The book arrived in a timely manner and in the condition described.



5. Full of interesting things about home buying. I wish that in some parts it would have gone more in depth. But in the end I felt like I learned a lot from this book.

5 comments about Bunny Williams' Point of View: Three Decades of Decorating Elegant and Comfortable Houses.

1. This was a birthday treat for me and what a treat it is - a visual feast with great words and pictures...just a joy to own! Have read it from cover to cover but I just know it will become an "old friend" - dipped into forever! It is beautifully laid out and the personality and philosophy of Bunny shines on every page. Lovers of antiques, art and gracious warm interiors will adore each and every page.



2. This book is wonderful!
   Bunny Williams is someone who will be studied as an iconic designer of her era.
   No one who is interested in interior design should be without this.



3. I love this book; it is really wonderful eye candy........I haven't read it from "cover to cover" as yet but I am afraid my daughter is going to abscond with it before I get my turn! Many of the accessories/furniture/fabrics are out of my reach, financially, but it's fun to look and dream.
   
   Jones



4. I purchased this book along with another new release at the time, Your Home A Living Canvas: Create Stunning Faux Finishes & Murals with Paint by Curtis Heuser - and almost over dosed on all the inspiring and creative content I found in both books! Though the historic interiors depicted in Heuser's book were a lot more attainable and easier for me to relate to - Bunny's stylish way of assembling a room leaves much to be learned from. Though I don't claim to be anywhere near as talented as this duo, there is amazing unique and enriching faux and mural how-to's intermixed with great decorating perspectives in Heuser's book, while William's eye for detail and balance is unsurpassed. Rarely do I attain such pleasure and excitement from books - but the beautiful photography and easy read in both are remarkably interesting, and I have referred back to both again and again for continual inspiration. Treat yourself to both of these enchanting titles ...just don't get too high from the intoxicating and envious creative talent these wonderful authors/artists bring to life and so generously share with the lucky readers!



5. I absolutely loved "An Affair with a House" and Bunny's gardening book. I can't tell you how many times I've gone back to the affair book and poured over it. The gardening book is full of tips and ideas for the serious gardener. I'm very disappointed in this book. Evidently, many other people are disappointed in it judging from the fact that Amazon has reduced the price to $12.00. (I see Amazon has changed it back to $24.00 now.)
   
   Unlike some of the other reviewers here, I did not like the photography. I found it too dark---even a room which is bright and sunny looks foreboding with the sort of lighting this photographer used. The details are hard to see. As expensive and rarefied as the furnishings and accessories in this book are, I find them a bit dated and passe. Bunny talks about taste evolving---but I just don't see it here. So many of the rooms have the same feeling---almost as if everyone gets the same look when they hire Bunny. One bright spot is the text---there is a lot of good decorating advice in these pages.
   
   Hopefully, this will not be Bunny's last book. I would like to see her come back from this one with another book worthy of her talents and personality.
   
   This is my honest assessment of the book--- which is written by an author I have really enjoyed in the past. The book has an excellent text--which will be very helpful to many. I know my perspective may differ from others---but is the way I see the book.

5 comments about Storey's Basic Country Skills: A Practical Guide to Self-Reliance.

1. This book is filled with a great breadth of knowledge. It helps you know what you don't know about self-sufficient living and even gives you enough infomation in some areas that you could go forward without too much additional research. If you're considering buying a little land and using it to live from, I'd recommend this book.



2. So cool. Where else can you get a book that will tell you how to build a pond and raise livestock, wire an outbuilding, and cut wood? This book has a little bit of everything in it and I'm glad to have it as a resource when I move out to the country in a couple of weeks. It's not exhaustive, and there are probably things in it that I'll want to know more about, but the diagrams are very clear, the discussions neither patronizing nor over my head, and most of all it has a cheerful, you can do it feel that makes me excited about my future challenges.
   This would also be a good (if big) book to share with someone who used to live in the country and run a farm, just for their interest and amusement. My dad, never a farmer, would have loved this book for the bits of interesting things in it to read and think about.
   Don't know if I'll be self-reliant after using this book, but I think I'llb e keeping it out on the coffee table for quite a few months.



3. Who would have thought you could cram so much information into one book. This has been a wonderful tool for my husband and I who are in the process of establishing our little retirement ranch. Excellent resource for anyone moving from the burbs to the country.



4. The book was definitely basic and it covered lots of information that would be useful on a farm. However, it was not helpful in how to develop the farm system, it was very piece meal and stand alone information, it also deferred its solutions too much to the chemical industry.



5. This book covers a huge range of country skills, including a companion planting guide. I wouldn't be without mine!