Just picked up "Consice Guide to Self Sufficiency"

[anarchist]

what do you guys think of its accuracy. i find it easier to follow than most other self sufficiency books out there.

http://www.ecoshow.co.nz/shop/BOOKS++*+lots+of+new+ones*/Consice+Guide+to+Self+Sufficiency+by+John+Seymour.html

[Cornelian]

John Seymour is a legend in the self-sufficiency movement, but I think his books are more for dreamers and idealists than anything else. Nonetheless, they do contain good reading and good ideas and are pleasing on the eye, and there is always room for them on my bookshelf.

[anarchist]

John Seymour is a legend in the self-sufficiency movement, but I think his books are more for dreamers and idealists than anything else. Nonetheless, they do contain good reading and good ideas and are pleasing on the eye, and there is always room for them on my bookshelf.

why dreamers they look possible on the family doomstead?

[Ty Fjoyd]

Link didn't click. 
try this.

[Cornelian]

Dreamers because a) the sales pitch of his books are generally not at those who are *really* into self-sufficiency, who are actually doing it, but only those who like to dream about it and say "one day ..." and b) because his books are presented in a highly idealized and romantic manner. They make self-sufficiency look like a clean, happy, walk in the park thing - all chortling pigs and clean farmyards, happy evenings boozing on apple cider in front of the apple-wood fire while the women folk sit about doing handicrafts. His books have a very 1930s idealized feel about them. There's never any mud or chronic back ache and ankle and shoulder sprains or crop failures. And, coming from a farm myself, the picture he paints is sheer, unadulterated romaticized idealism. Life on a farm is totally nothing like what is presented in his books. But they are pretty, nonetheless.

[anarchist]

Dreamers because a) the sales pitch of his books are generally not at those who are *really* into self-sufficiency, who are actually doing it, but only those who like to dream about it and say "one day ..." and b) because his books are presented in a highly idealized and romantic manner. They make self-sufficiency look like a clean, happy, walk in the park thing - all chortling pigs and clean farmyards, happy evenings boozing on apple cider in front of the apple-wood fire while the women folk sit about doing handicrafts. His books have a very 1930s idealized feel about them. There's never any mud or chronic back ache and ankle and shoulder sprains or crop failures. And, coming from a farm myself, the picture he paints is sheer, unadulterated romaticized idealism. Life on a farm is totally nothing like what is presented in his books. But they are pretty, nonetheless.

how accurate would you say the projects are in the book? yeah the cartoon illustrations did look like a walk in the park. but how accurate is the info?

[Cornelian]

Given that he is talking almost exclusively about life in England - the cultural and environmental norms - probably fairly accurate (but you'd need to adapt for your own culture and environment - and I don't know if his books have bene adapted for America, I've only ever read the English ones). I mean, you can take individual things and they make sense, it is just that I don't think it all falls together as seamlessly as his books tend to portray. I like them - I always enjoy reading them, but to me they do seem a bit of a dream.

But, thinking back on it, I don't think I have ever found anything useful in them - that sounds bad because I don't think his info is bad ... it is just that I have never used any of it. But I think much of the info is fine. I think I must just tend to get lost in the dreaminess of his books and never quite translate it into real life.

I should emphasize again that I really like them, but I just don't know where his world exists. If I could find it, it would be ... dreamy. LOL

Seymour seems to yearn for a lost life - a rural idyllic 19th century life.

[Cornelian]

Oh dear now I have said 1930s life in one post and 19th c in the next. LOL I am slipping back in time.

[snowdrop]

I really like the book.  I got it several years ago, as I was buying my place in the country.  I like the layouts he gives for a one acre and 5 acre spread. I found it really good for ideas when i was in the planning stage. 

It is a wonderful book for dreamers.  It helped keep me sane for the two years I was renovating the house and dreaming of another life but still working in cubicle hell.  While I don’t think it goes into great depth in any one area, it gives a good summary of a lot of things---with a lovely 1930ish feel to the pictures  .  To follow through, you will need  read up, learn by doing, or pray that you have great neighbours. I’ve done all three, with gratitude to the latter.

As a starter book- self sufficiency 101,  I think it’s outstanding. If it’s your only resource, you’ll spend an awful lot of time learning from your mistakes, as you try to fill in the gaps.