40 Projects for Building Your Backyard Homestead: A Hands-on, Step-by-Step Sustainable-Living Guide (Creative Homeowner) Fences, Chicken Coops, Sheds, Gardening, and More for Becoming Self-Sufficient

I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would. It does have some redundancy, but it does give you lots of ideas for projects. Being knowledgeable in a few of the projects, it gives you the correct advice without a lengthy justification for it. This book doesn't waste time telling you about all the inferior ways of doing a project, it just tells you about the best way. You can take what you want from it too, because it is doesn't necessarily make you stick to a blueprint. It teaches you what you need to know to make it happen, and it's up to you to put it together for your needs. I did enjoy the details that it does have and it really does make the projects seem very doable.

I did not even get a chance to open this book after receiving it. Wifey was all over it the moment it came in. She enjoyed the ideas presented in the book and showed how some of the ideas were fairly easy to implement.

Book came falling apart, and printed and stuck with glue upside down. The printed pages are also cut off. I have taken pictures to show you that it the book is defective. UPDATE The replacement book was in perfect new condition and the read was actually great giving full details and pricing on projects. If you are experienced in homestead then this book is not for you, but great for beginners and definitely worth it.

This was the first book I ever bought that was directed towards homesteading and learning how to mini farm, and this is the best first book in this category I could have purchased! So much useful information and how to guides on specific areas on your homestead!

We've been on our farm for over a decade, and we've bought a lot of how-to books and what have you, and as we sat thumbing through the book last night, we decided that this might be the only book you need for just about everything you want or need to build for your adventures in homesteading. Very rarely do you get a book that is as comprehensive as this one is. Some have a few OK ideas, some have a few good plans but no follow through, and then there are books like this one. I feel like this one will actually free up some space on the bookshelf because it sure can replace a lot of our less than stellar how-to books. I highly recommend this one even if you've been at it a while like we have. Old dogs can always learn new tricks.

and great project ideas for when the glaciers recede in spring

Great on building stuff but no tech knowledge regarding harnessing wind, solar etc. He repeatedly says to go get some info at community center or somewhere. I bought the book specifically for solar, electrical and plumbing set ups. It's a great book for building garden boxes and sheds and coops but no info on setting up some solar panels to provide lights and energy to those sheds. I know there is formula to build gradient watering system, the correct angle and differences for size. Not in there. So if you need building plans, using new materials, for your backyard then this is the book for you. It was an easy read. He writes in a fun and easy going way. How to build a raised garden bed with a drainage hole are written in excruciating detail.

Amazon got its starts with books. Shame how they seem to treat them now. This review is not a comment on the book itself (which seems great and useful) but on the lack of care and protection when packing this (new) book with the rest of my order. Do better, Amazon.