Anyone who has ever cherished a dream to go back to the land, raise their own food, and take steps toward self-sufficiency will enjoy this exploration of the authors' years-long journey down that road.

Long-time homesteaders in a variety of locations, they have drawn upon their experiences in a wide range of climates and settings, as well as years of determination and trial-and-error ventures in land restoration, gardening, and animal husbandry, to create a guide that not only explains how to handle the chores that come with a homestead, while anticipating most of a dreamer's misconceptions about a life spent raising one's own fruit, vegetables, and livestock.

There is a wealth of information between the covers of this beautifully presented book, including appealing color photographs and helpful diagrams; from early warnings not to fall in love with the view from an unsuitable piece of land ("I simply ignored the fact that the stage for my homestead dream was basically a swamp") to detailed instructions on the needs of fowl intended to produce eggs to the best ways to homestead even on a small urban lot. The neophyte and serious gardener or cook alike will also learn much from the authors' experiences with farm creatures such as guinea fowl and the ticks and squash beetles that provide them with delectable treats; ways to reduce the use of chemicals and pesticides; and how to store what the land produces. Advice also addresses the adaptation of gardening practices from one climate to another, the advisability and techniques of house restoration, and the options available for waste disposal on an undeveloped site destined to welcome a dream home.

Augmented with tables that will help the would-be homesteader determine how much water a well will provide, the amount of produce a garden will yield, and the quantity of firewood needed to replace fossil fuels, the book will be an invaluable companion to anyone serious about becoming more self-sufficient. For those who find the actualities of homesteading too daunting, the authors provide a vicarious adventure as satisfying as any novel.

Husband and wife team George Nash (Renovating Old Houses) and Jane Waterman have supported themselves through a self-sufficient lifestyle for decades, passing their days renovating old farmhouses and chicken coops, raising animals and attaining a type of self-sufficiency rarely seen these days. Here, they share their years of wisdom, both the victories and the failures, in detail. Lest readers get too enamored by the romance of starting a day with coffee laced with cream from a dairy cow tethered just yards as the sun slowly rises and a rooster crows, Nash and Waterman quickly put things in perspective, addressing homesteading from literally the ground up. Readers will learn the importance of choosing their site wisely before breaking ground, not to mention thinking through less-glamorous topics such as income, wells and sewage and even making sure your partner is on board before embarking on what could be a very costly mistake in a number of ways if begun on a whim. Nash and Waterman's advice will likely be a godsend, as they offer tips on everything from log-loading logistics, the pros and cons of various water heaters, and attaining the optimal soil. While the couple offer condensed recommendations for urban homesteading this is not a book for novices. Still, those interested in living off the grid would do well to read this in-depth and informative guide. (May)