📖 Overview
Carla Emery (1939-2005) was an American author best known for writing "The Encyclopedia of Country Living," a comprehensive guide to self-sufficient living that has become a fundamental text in the back-to-the-land movement.
Originally self-published in 1974 as a series of mimeographed pages, Emery's encyclopedia grew from her personal experiences homesteading in Idaho and Oregon. The book covers everything from gardening and food preservation to raising livestock and delivering babies, drawing from both traditional knowledge and practical experience.
During the 1970s, Emery traveled across the United States teaching workshops on self-sufficiency and sustainable living. She continued to expand and revise her encyclopedia through multiple editions, eventually producing a work that exceeded 900 pages and has sold hundreds of thousands of copies.
Beyond her writing, Emery was recognized as a significant voice in the sustainable living movement and an advocate for preserving traditional agricultural knowledge. Her work continues to influence modern homesteaders and those interested in sustainable living practices.
👀 Reviews
Readers consistently highlight "The Encyclopedia of Country Living" as a detailed, practical resource for homesteading skills. Many reviews note the book's comprehensive scope and clear instructions for tasks like canning, gardening, and animal care.
Readers appreciate:
- Real-world tested methods and tips
- Personal anecdotes that make complex topics approachable
- Inclusion of both basic and advanced techniques
- Hand-drawn illustrations
- Detailed index for quick reference
Common criticisms:
- Dense text can be overwhelming for beginners
- Some information feels dated
- Organization could be more intuitive
- Print size is small in newer editions
Ratings averages:
Amazon: 4.8/5 from 2,100+ reviews
Goodreads: 4.6/5 from 3,800+ reviews
One reader noted: "This book taught me more practical skills than four years of college." Another wrote: "The information is invaluable but you need a magnifying glass to read it."
📚 Books by Carla Emery
The Encyclopedia of Country Living: An Old Fashioned Recipe Book
A comprehensive manual covering numerous aspects of self-sufficient living, including gardening, animal husbandry, food preservation, and homesteading skills.
Secret, Don't Tell: The Encyclopedia of Hypnotism An examination of hypnosis throughout history, including its use in medicine, military operations, and psychological manipulation.
Country Living Field Guide A portable reference guide containing selected excerpts from her main encyclopedia, focusing on essential homesteading information.
The Natural Baby Care Book A guide to raising infants using natural methods, covering topics such as breastfeeding, cloth diapering, and homemade baby food preparation.
Mother Earth News Handbook Of Homemade Power Instructions and diagrams for creating various forms of alternative energy systems for home use.
Secret, Don't Tell: The Encyclopedia of Hypnotism An examination of hypnosis throughout history, including its use in medicine, military operations, and psychological manipulation.
Country Living Field Guide A portable reference guide containing selected excerpts from her main encyclopedia, focusing on essential homesteading information.
The Natural Baby Care Book A guide to raising infants using natural methods, covering topics such as breastfeeding, cloth diapering, and homemade baby food preparation.
Mother Earth News Handbook Of Homemade Power Instructions and diagrams for creating various forms of alternative energy systems for home use.
👥 Similar authors
John Seymour writes about self-sufficiency and homesteading with detailed instructions on farming, animal husbandry, and traditional crafts. His work "The Self-Sufficient Life and How to Live It" covers many of the same practical skills as Emery's Encyclopedia of Country Living.
Gene Logsdon focused on small-scale farming and practical agricultural knowledge for independent farmers. His books cover organic methods, cottage farming, and traditional skills with an emphasis on working with nature rather than against it.
Helen Nearing wrote about homesteading and self-sufficient living based on decades of personal experience. She and her husband Scott documented their journey from city life to farming in "Living the Good Life" and subsequent books that detail food preservation, building, and sustainable living practices.
Joel Salatin writes about small-scale farming methods and sustainable agriculture from his experience running Polyface Farms. His books provide specific techniques for raising livestock and growing food while working with natural systems.
Ruth Stout developed and wrote about no-till gardening methods and simple approaches to food production. Her books focus on practical gardening techniques that reduce labor while maintaining productivity, similar to Emery's emphasis on accessible homesteading methods.
Gene Logsdon focused on small-scale farming and practical agricultural knowledge for independent farmers. His books cover organic methods, cottage farming, and traditional skills with an emphasis on working with nature rather than against it.
Helen Nearing wrote about homesteading and self-sufficient living based on decades of personal experience. She and her husband Scott documented their journey from city life to farming in "Living the Good Life" and subsequent books that detail food preservation, building, and sustainable living practices.
Joel Salatin writes about small-scale farming methods and sustainable agriculture from his experience running Polyface Farms. His books provide specific techniques for raising livestock and growing food while working with natural systems.
Ruth Stout developed and wrote about no-till gardening methods and simple approaches to food production. Her books focus on practical gardening techniques that reduce labor while maintaining productivity, similar to Emery's emphasis on accessible homesteading methods.