Book Review: Country Skills: The Self-Reliant Homesteader

I borrowed this book from the library when I saw it on the new releases shelf. It covers the gamut for the homesteader, from keeping bees to selecting chain saws. For the urban homesteader, some of the information on taking care of and organizing tools, raising chickens and rabbits, and gardening might be worthwhile.

I give the book a mixed thumbs-up. For the most part, there was good information but I would like to see a little more detail in some areas and a little less on others. For example, the chapter on Food and Stocking the Larder is 34 pages long, of which more than a third is devoted to home wine making, complete with recipes!

Each chapter includes a nice selection of resources at the end, so whatever whets your appetite you are sure to be able to find enough information. The Gardening chapter is quite complete I think and offers some excellent ideas for constructing compost bins and a greenhouse. Still, each chapter feels like a summary more than detailed directions. I think if you're exploring ideas and want to get an idea of what's involved with, say beekeeping, the book provides an excellent overview and you can then decide whether or not to pursue the idea further.