The Encyclopedia of Country Living

The Encyclopedia of Country Living is a comprehensive guide to self-sufficient rural living, first published in 1974 and updated through multiple editions. The book covers topics from gardening and food preservation to raising livestock and building basic structures. The content draws from author Carla Emery's firsthand experience homesteading in Idaho, combined with extensive research and contributions from other farmers and homesteaders. Each chapter provides step-by-step instructions, recipes, and practical advice for specific aspects of country living, from cheese making to chicken raising. At over 900 pages, this reference work serves as both an instruction manual and a window into traditional agricultural knowledge that was nearly lost during the 20th century's shift toward industrialization. The book stands as a bridge between historical farming practices and modern sustainability movements, offering readers a path to greater self-reliance regardless of their living situation.

Readers value this book as a comprehensive reference guide for self-sufficient living, with thousands of detailed instructions for tasks like gardening, food preservation, and animal husbandry. What readers liked: - Personal stories and experiences from the author - Clear step-by-step instructions - Depth of information on obscure homesteading topics - Hand-drawn illustrations - Useful index and organization system What readers disliked: - Dense text layout can be hard to read - Some outdated information (particularly in older editions) - Too much basic information for experienced homesteaders - Index could be more detailed - Some techniques not applicable to all climate zones Ratings: Amazon: 4.8/5 from 2,400+ reviews Goodreads: 4.5/5 from 3,800+ ratings Common review quote: "Like having a grandmother teaching you everything she knows about country living." Several readers noted using this as their primary reference book for over 20 years, though recommend supplementing with region-specific gardening guides.

Back to Basics: A Complete Guide to Traditional Skills by Ashley English This homesteading manual provides step-by-step instructions for self-sufficient living, including food preservation, animal husbandry, and traditional crafts.

The Self-Sufficient Life and How to Live It by John Seymour The book presents detailed illustrations and instructions for farming, building, food preservation, and other homesteading skills passed down through generations.

Storey's Basic Country Skills by John Storey and Martha Storey This reference guide contains instructions for hundreds of country living projects, from building fences to making cheese.

The Backyard Homestead by Carleen Madigan The guide shows methods to produce food on a quarter acre of land, including gardening, raising animals, and preserving harvests.

Country Wisdom & Know-How by Editors of Storey Publishing's Country Wisdom Bulletins This compilation includes instructions from Storey's Country Wisdom Bulletins covering farming, cooking, crafts, and home maintenance.

🌾 Carla Emery wrote the first version of her encyclopedia on index cards while caring for her six children and managing her Idaho homestead. 🌱 The book began as a simple mimeographed newsletter in 1969 and grew over decades into a 928-page comprehensive guide to self-sufficient living. 🐓 Each edition of the book was hand-typed by Emery herself, even after achieving significant sales, because she continuously updated and refined the content based on reader feedback. 🏡 Emery spent years traveling across America teaching homesteading workshops, often bartering her knowledge and books for food and lodging along the way. 🌿 The book's enduring popularity has led to it being called "the rural living bible," with over 650,000 copies sold since its first complete edition in 1974.